"A national political campaign is better than the best circus ever heard of, with a mass baptism and a couple of hangings thrown in"

H.L. Mencken's quote is a humorous contrast of a nationwide political campaign to a circus. He implies that a national political campaign is more exciting and entertaining than the very best circus ever heard of. He suggests that a national political project is much more exciting than a circus with a mass baptism and a number of hangings included. This contrast is indicated to be funny, as a mass baptism and hangings are not normally associated with a circus. Mencken's quote is a funny method of expressing the enjoyment and home entertainment of a national political project. It is a tip that a national political project is full of drama, excitement, and home entertainment, and can be more exciting than a circus.