Republicans in Fairfield 1868

 Sept. 25, 1868 Brookville American (Republican-leaning paper)

The cry is for peace; let us Grant it.

FAIRFIELD, Ind., Sept. 16, 1868

Mr. Editor  -- Notwithstanding the rain in the afternoon, a Republican meeting was held here on the evening of the 15th last, at the School House. A large audience was present. The meeting opened by three cheers for Old Maine. The speaker of the evening was Colonel James B. Black.

For a space of two hours, he handled the political topics of the day with ease. He uses no notes in speaking but quotes figures, etc., as accurately as if they lay before him in print. He reviewed in detail the policy of the so-called Democratic party, from the time it denounced the war as a failure, to the present day's discussions, particularly the New York platform, making some new points on this topic.

He said, "the Democratic party had a greenback policy for the West, a gold-back policy for the East, and I suppose a gray-back policy for the South." His address was received with every manifestation of approval by the Republicans.

The Republicans of Fairfield are wide awake, and mean to give a good account of themselves in the next election.

I am respectfully,

TIMOTHY MEED

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Notes here: Grant was GOP presidential candidate U.S. Grant, who was elected president. It's likely Col. Black's figures were as accurate as the listeners believed them to be. 

James Buckley Black was the son of a Methodist minister, studied at DePauw University and was an officer in the Indiana 18th Regiment during the Civil War. He was a lawyer and a leader in the GAR chapters that formed after the rebellion. He lived primarily in Indianapolis. 

Old Maine referred to the state's contribution to the Civil War, its contribution in manpower larger in proportion than any other northern state. The story became legend after the conflict.