Not committed as yet to either side.
1828. There are certain Administration Editors, Editors for a long time on the fence, who occasionally undertake … to sit as censors upon their fatigued and dusty brethren.—Richmond Whig, Aug. 13, p. 1/5: from the Massachusetts Journal.
1834. Having been elected to Congress for no political reason, but on some local question, he was “on the fence;” where, like a wise man, he determined to sit, until he had made up his mind on which side it would be most pleasant and profitable for him to get off.—Robert C. Sands, ‘Writings,’ ii. 160 (N.Y.).
1836. When asked how Mr. Huntsman was, in relation to political parties, “He’s on the fence,” said the General, “and no one knows on which side he will fall.”—Mr. Peyton of Tennessee, House of Repr., Dec. 15: Cong. Globe, p. 269, App.
1848.
| Wen every fool knows thet a man represents | |
| Not the fellers thet sent him, but them on the fence,— | |
| Impartially ready to jump either side | |
| An’ make the fust use of a turn o’ the tide. | |
Lowell, ‘Biglow Papers,’ 1st Series, No. 4. |
1849. [Indisposition is to the college student] what a “fence” is to a political man, balancing itself and him between truth and untruth, affording an easy escape from a more explicit profession of his principles.—Yale Lit. Mag., xiv. 219 (April).
1856. They never knew Slocome to be anywhere sure, but on the fence.—San Francisco Call, Dec. 12.
1862.
| I mean a kin’ o’ hangin’ roun’ an’ settin’ on the fence, | |
| Till Prov’dunce pinted how to jump an’ save the most expense. | |
Lowell, ‘Biglow Papers,’ 2nd Series, No. 3. (N.E.D.) |
1866.
| Afore the war your mod’rit men | |
| Could set an’ sun ’em on the fences, | |
| Cyph’rin’ the chances up, an’ then | |
| Jump off which way bes’ paid expenses. | |
Id., No. 11. |
1885. “Well, Mr. Potter,” said I, “I suppose you are an out-and-out rebel.” “You bet I am,” replied that worthy. “And me too,” said Mr. Opdyke, “though day afore yesterday I was on the fence.”—Admiral D. D. Porter, ‘Incidents of the Civil War,’ p. 83.
