The most extensive preparations were made on both sides for the conflict,
and it was generally expected there would be a personal collision in some
of the wards.

Tuesday, the 8th of April, dawned dark and stormy, and the rain began to
fall heavily, at times coming down in torrents. But to such a fever heat
had the public feeling been carried, that no one seemed to heed the storm.
The stores were closed, business of all kinds suspended; while the streets
were black with men hurrying to the polls. At twelve o'clock the American
flag was hoisted on the Exchange, when the building became deserted, and
all gathered at the places where the voting was going on. Men stood in
long lines, extending clear out into the street, patiently enduring the
pelting rain, waiting till their turn came to vote.

The famous expression of Jackson, "Perish credit, perish commerce," had
been taken out of the connection in which it was used, and paraded
everywhere. The sailors had been enlisted in the struggle, and rigged up a
beautiful little frigate in complete order, and named it the
"Constitution." Mounting it on wheels, several hundred of them paraded it
through the streets and past the polls. As they passed through Wall
Street, thundering cheers greeted them, and the excited populace, heedless
of the rain, fell into the procession, till it swelled to thousands, who,
with songs and shouts, followed after. Fearful of the effect of this
demonstration on the voters, the Jackson men hastily rigged out a boat,
surmounted by a flag on which was painted in large characters, "Veto;" and
"Constitution" and "Veto" sailed after each other through the city. This
should have been prevented by the authorities, for it was impossible for
these two processions to meet without a fight occurring, while it was
equally certain that the Whig one would be attacked, if it attempted to