"I care nothing for the office of major; I shall not allow my name to be used against your son for that office.

But I shall do everything in my power to prevent his father from being colonel." In accordance with the custom of the region and the times, after the feasting and the frolicking, Captain Mathews mounted a stump, and addressed the assembly in what was appropriately called a stump speech, advocating his election.
The moment he closed, Squire Crockett mounted the stump, and on the Captain's own grounds, addressing the Captain's guests, and himself one of those guests, totally unabashed, made his first stump speech.

He was at no loss for words or ideas.

He was full to the brim of fun.

He could, without any effort, keep the whole assembly in roars of laughter.