Transcribe Fenn, Robert. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1855-11)

  I suppose he regards himself since his return in the light of an imported

article which justifies a rise in the tarrif. Ward Beecher who is at present on lecturing tour out west tried a similar game but was nicely come up with at Cleveland by every body religiously abstaining from patronizing him. His endeavor there consisted of fifty persons. People will pay starvation prices for provisions but when it comes to increasing the rates of literary foods they are very apt to rebel. That's a kind of food they can get along for time without till prices fall again. You seemed to be so much pleased with the Epitome I gave you in my last that I think I will have to give you a few ideas as to the present state of the political weather. It is very equally about these times with the wind, blowing by fits from all directions making the navigations of political craft rather dangerous. It is impossible to prognosticate with any accuracy how things will eventuate. It certainly looks rather stormy </s but > ^and^ even old salts are completely at fault but as they are unwilling to own ignorance and feel bound to say something they reply when asked for their opinion in a very oracular manner that we may reason- ably expect a spell of weather. The sea of politics and especially ^in^ the State is in an unusualy agitation this fall continually casting up mire and dirt. Indeed every thing is in such a mixed and confused state that it seems more like a vast ocean of mud than anything else upon which are floating there dismantled and almost abandoned wrecks of old organizations and the newly built craft which have but just been launched into this stormy sea and whose sailing qualities are yet to be tried. These are in constant danger of being dashed to pieces upon the rocks of principle or of destroying each other by their frequent and frightful collisions. We have quite a number of craft afloat in this State but which will triumphantly weather the present blow it is impossible to say. There are the Adamantines, the Malacostraca or Soft Shells the Republicans or Fusionists, the Maine law, the old line Democrats, the Silver Gray the old Whig this is almost a total wreck. only a few of the timbers remaining, and last but not least, the American which I am sorry to say has been considerably shattered by an explosion resulting from the enemy throwing into her that old fire brand Slavery