"AGIN' THE GOVERNMENT."
In the summer of 1864, the governor-general of Canada paid the President a visit, with a numerous escort. During the late unpleasantness, as much comfort as possible under the Neutrality Act was believed to have been given the raiders into the border towns, as witness the St. Alban's Bank steal and the outfitting of blockade-runners. But they were treated at Washington with perfect courtesy. The head of the British party, at the conclusion, said with some sarcasm in his genial tone:
"I understand, Mr. President, that everybody is entitled to a vote in this country. If we remain until November, can we vote?"
"You would have to make a longer residence, which I could desire," politely replied the host; "only, I fear we should not gain much by that--for there was a countryman of your excellency, from the sister kingdom of Ireland, though, who came here, and on landing wanted to exercise the privilege you seek--to vote early and often! But the officials at Castle Garden landing-stage laughed at him, saying that he knew nothing about parties, to which he replied:
"'Bother the parties! It is the same here with me as in the old country--I am agin' the government!' You see, he wanted to vote on the side of the Rebellion! Your excellency would then be no more at a loss to decide on which side!"