fence-riding

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

Sitting on the fence, i. e. keeping neutral in politics.


The South will not vote for a Northern candidate, who is nominated as such, nor the North for a Southern man, who is nominated on exclusive Southern principles. In this matter there can be no neutral ground. The dividing line is narrow, but distinct; it admits of no fence-riding; the candidate must be on one side or the other; and when the time shall come, that either the North or the South adopts a candidate on sectional grounds. it will not be difficult to foretell the issue.--N. Y. Mirror.

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