September 9. We turned out to see the Grand Democratic Torchlight Procession. Large certainly, but rather straggling, and with a large infusion of youthful Democrats who’ll hardly grow enough to vote next November! Not very joyous or enthusiastic and greeted by little outside hurrahing. The news from Maine hasn’t helped to make them jolly. That rather doubtful state seems to have gone Republican with a rush. Fremont forever! *
* In the state election in Maine, with Hannibal Hamlin running for governor, the Republicans triumphed by a vote of roughly 67,000 to 42,500. They won by a still greater margin in Vermont, the vote being nearly three to one.
The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas, Abridged by Thomas J. Pressly
It’s interesting how quickly New York, which had been very winnable for the Democrats, is warming to the Republicans.
September 10. Three cheers for Maine! The election there is a great fact; it shews which way the cat is jumping and will make her jump farther. Doubtless it has already decided x+y cautious gentlemen, waiters on Providence, uncat-like people to whom the victoris causa is always pleasing, to get down from their fence and go for Fremont, influenced solely by a conscientious sense of duty. This x+y is a large figure; it may well be ten thousand in this state alone. Hamilton Fish is said to have seen a great light lately and to be trying the feel of the current with his toes before jumping in. I don’t believe his accession will affect the fortunes of any party very essentially. It’s said a Fremont electoral ticket will be run in several Southern states, including Missouri, North Carolina and Virginia. Dubious. It probably won’t be permitted by the oligarchy of little barbarous princes to which the white trash of the South is subject.
The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas, Abridged by Thomas J. Pressly