From the Cortland Standard of Cortland, NY
Tuesday, October 25, 1870

Correspondence

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Cuyler, Oct. 22, 1870      

   Ed. Standard. Sir : - We notice in the columns of the Democrat, of the 24th inst. ( OF THIS MONTH ), headed "Here and There", the statement that three gentleman therein named, "went to Cuyler last Saturday night to harangue the radical electors of that 'benighted region'. The radicals of that town didn't seem to fancy the looks of the party, and refused them the use of the church, whereupon application was made to the proprietors of the Chenango cheese factory, who also refused them the use of their building, etc., etc."

   The truth about the matter is this : A meeting was appointed and advertised by the Republican County Committee to be held at Cuyler Saturday evening, the 15th inst. ( OF THIS MONTH ), to be addressed by Republican speakers.

   The construction of the DeRuyter branch of the Midland R.R.. through Cuyler to Truxton, brought to this 'benighted region' a gang of Irish laborers of Democratic and kindred proclivities from New York City and every other place apparently but the right one. At least they have proven themselves proficient in the Democratic science of repeating.

   At the Republican caucus held in the town of Cuyler for the purpose of appointing six delegates to to represent the town in the County Convention then soon to be held, they introduced the Tammany science of political strategy by first electing the right man chairman, then voting the ticket containing the names of their choice as delegates each four or five times a piece, and then extinguishing the lights in the room, ended by knocking the landlord down, and in the darkness and confusion which ensued, voting several handful of votes containing the names of their chosen delegates, and when the votes were counted and the result declared, Tammany's brilliant strategy had proved victorious over numbers, over right and over decency.

   Republicans grumbled, but acquiesced. They have also shown that they excel in the art of rioting and mobbing so effectively taught and practiced by the Tammany professors. In fact, these rascals had so intimidated the inhabitants that, although the speakers were willing to risk their personal safety by addressing a public meeting consisting in part or entirely of the denizens of that 'benighted region', the trustees and owners of public buildings were, or seemed at least, unwilling to hazard their property by throwing it open to the occupation of these exemplifiers of the beauties of Tammany Democracy.

   In short, these men have gained the reputation, all along the line of this railroad wherever they have been, of being the very worst of their class. Many of them were engaged in election riots in Chenango county last fall, and, although none of them are legal voters, they have already proclaimed their intention of carrying out the Democratic doctrine of violating the ballot-box by stuffing it with their impure suffrages at the approaching election.

   As to the cheese factory, not a word was said by any one about occupying it, and no request or refusal of the use of that building occurred.

   Perhaps I should say that during this same Saturday night these constituents and supporters of Gov. Hoffman amused themselves and whiled away the small hours of the morning by smashing in the windows of the hotel at Cuyler. If there were any residents of this 'benighted region' who did not like the looks of the party who came to address them, it was some of these rum-sodden disciples of the Democrat.


      CUYLER