The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1841-02-26
a NuIiOnnl lRnIcHhCrY.

We have been thinking of the matter
of supplying all the people i'll the United
States with meats, and it seems to us that
it is one which deserves the attention Of
the National Government. The subject
is of vast importance, and is now utterly
at loose ends. The supply is left to the
mere volition of drovcrs entirely irrespon-
sible to any body, so that every citizen in
this city, and every other city, is left
without the least assurance that his sup
ply may not be cut off at any moment
We have got along under our present sys-
tenn, or we might more properly say, to-
tai want of system, better than might
have been expected, and much better than,
we fear, will be the case hereafter. But
there are now great wrongs, which cry
aloud for remedy. There is not little
meat of old cows which is attempted TO
be palmed off for good OK beef; measly
hogs are put up as good pork ANIMALS
which are diseased and even which die
of themselves, it may be of hydrophobia,
are dressed and " bowed up" and sold
for good and wholesome viands. 1t is
even stated on good authority, that there
are regular sausage makers who supply
themselves with raw material from the
worn out horses, which the omnibus
owners turn off to die, and the small bits
of woollen cloth, which are found on the
talors' shop floors or the old clothes
bought by Jew pedlers. thas even been
stated, and many judicious people believe
it, that cats have been sold in the mark ct
for rabbits and dog meat for venison.-
What else could be expected while Tom.
Dick and Harry are allowed to issue beef.
pork and mutton, at their pleasure The
ignorant poor are the severest sufferers
by this Loco Foco way Of doing things
for they having less knowledge and less
power, are always made the prey Of the
crafty. If things 90 on in this way,-
and they will unless the government in
terleres, there is no telling what frigh.ful
evils may come upon us. Suppose for in
stance, and the thing is not at all impos.
sible, that some drover from the West
with his flock of cattle filling all the road
should fall upon a kennel of rabid wolves
or dogs which flying upon the cattle
should innoculate the whole herd with
the deadly virus Of their fangs.-W Would
the Grover ever tell of the incident! No
he. On the contrary, he would hurry
his cattle on TO the Bulls Head, wher
ioaming with fatigue and madness. the,
would be sold to the butchers, and the mex
day the whole city would be unsuspect
ingly dining upon their flesh. What the
final effect would be, we forbear to tell
Then suppose the drovers should, through
mistake or design, drive all the cattle an,
sheep 10 New Orleans under the innuenc,
of momentary high price there, wha
would be the danger to all other parts o
the country! As we go now, there il
plainly no certainty that there will be an,
butchers or drovers. Indeed, every thin.
is entirely uncertain, iluctuating, fright
fully irregular and Irresponsible.
Now if government is not designed t,
provide for such an emergency as this
we ask what in the world il is designe,
for This matter takes hold of the yer,
life and existence of the people. IF tn,
people all starve to death for the want O
meat, or are poisoned to death with ba,
meat, there will be little for government
to do afterwards. It's with these views
after the little reflection we have pivel
to the subject, that we have determined Il
lend our feeble efforts towards the estab
lishment Of national BurcHERy, Il
regulate this whole matter. Tha, Con