About eighty years ago, a tree-stump was the common pulpit of political speakers in the country. Hence the speaker was said to be “on the stump,” and if he went from point to point he “stumped” the district.
1835. Mr. Clay perfectly understood the nature of such appeal; they were better suited for the stump that the senate of the U.S.—Feb. 18: Cong. Globe, p. 260.
1838. Mr. W., candidate for the state Senate, was on the stump, in shape of a huge meat-block at one corner of the market-house.—E. Flagg, ‘The Far West,’ ii. 59 (N.Y.). (Italics in the original.)
1838. He did not hesitate to declare, with a significant wink of the eye, that the way in which he would “use up” his opponent, when they got on the stump, would be a “caution” to yankee pedagogues in all coming time.—B. Drake, ‘Tales and Sketches,’ p. 84 (Cincinn.).
1839. The gentleman did not understand his trade; he had left out the very best part of a stump speech, and that was the “silk stockings,” “Nick Biddle,” “moneyed aristocracy,” and “the monster.” Why, he could make a better stump speech himself.—Mr. Proffit of Indiana, House of Repr., Dec. 21: Cong. Globe, p. 72.
1840. The Doctor had resolved on both giving and getting a stump speech, and had therefore providently supplied himself with the stump of the Buck Eye tree—a tree from which Ohio derives the name of “the Buck Eye State.”—E. S. Thomas, ‘Reminiscences,’ i. 100 (Hartford, Conn.).
1841. Whenever it becomes necessary to discuss political subjects from the stumps in Illinois, I take the New Jersey elections as my text.—Mr. Reynolds of Illinois, House of Repr., Feb. 5: Cong. Globe, p. 140, App.
1841. This subject constituted the theme of every Whig editor and brawling stump orator in the mighty West.—Mr. Weller of Ohio, the same, July 10: id., p. 147, App.
1852. I make bold to speak thus, though in the eastern world it is quite unpopular to speak in one’s own praise; but since I have become a Western man I can make stump speeches.—Brigham Young, July 11: ‘Journal of Discourses,’ i. 41.
1855. He began with a prayer, and from that slided off by unperceptible degrees into a stump-speech.—Yale Lit. Mag., xx. 204 (April).
1861. I did not say they had read [the bill]; but we discussed it on the stump.—Mr. W. M. Gwin of California, U.S. Senate, Jan. 15: Cong. Globe, p. 382/3.
1861. It has been my pride on many a stump, and in many a place to eulogize by name [these gentlemen].—Mr. John H. Reagan of Texas, House of Repr., Jan. 15: id., p. 392/2 [See also p. 408/1].
1863. I think the members from Louisiana came here at very nearly the commencement of the last session, and that they went off and stumped New England for two months.—Mr. Thaddeus Stevens of Pa., Yes, they went off and stumped New England, and that brought them in speedily. Mr. S. S. Cox of Ohio.—I wish to ask [Mr. Stevens] whether in case these [West Virginian] gentlemen go to New England, and stump it for four months, he will then agree to admit them.—Mr. Robert Mallory of Kentucky, the same, Dec. 7: id., p. 7/3.
1869. Cavanaugh and Sanders, the rival candidates for Congress, are both singularly gifted on the stump.—A. K. McClure, ‘Rocky Mountains,’ p. 254.
