The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-07-04
MAN WINGS AND COON BEASTS
IN A ROW,

in "A ROW.
We find the following (says the Ohio
Statesman in the Cincinnati Daily Herald
Of Saturday morning, and we call for 1t
that solemn attention it deserves. 10
what is this coon party bringing their coun-
ryl Morals, decency, religion, reason,
every thing Frustrated to the shameless
spirit of federal demagogueism. Mr. Slit,
the editor of the Wayne Record, though a
whig, could not help rebuking the wretched
indolatrous conduct of his party, but their
degraded and debauched souls could uot
brook little wholesome advice, and the
man must be ostracised to the coon-the
wings brother" What spectacle does
this present to sensible and thinking
world! Henry Clay, exciting some one
to quarrel and to blood at the gambling
table, is a fit "embodiment" of such de-
moralizng rowdyism, and coonish idola-
try
"COONs-AND FREEDOM OF THE
PRESS"
"Joh B. Slit, the able editor of the
Wayne County Record, Qa. had been OBJ
liged to retire from the editorial chair, on
account of having administered rebuke
to wing Convention, for parading coons,
and singing doggerel songs, 1t seems
that the Convention had met IN church
and the services had been opened with
prayer by its pastor. A coon, or in the
language of Mr. Slit, "a poor, lean, lank
live coon," had been paraded in procession
through the streets, chained to the top Of
one of the carriages-and in the Melho-
dist meeting house, where the wings were
assembled, all sorts ofdoggerel were Sung.
Some idea,' says Mr. Silt, 'oflhe charac-
ter of the songs sung may be formed,
when it is known that one of them, and IA
leading one too, was parody on that low
est of all negro doggerels, called, 'Raccon
setting on rail- The singers Of this
rhyme had a banner, which was kept wav-
ing over their heads during the perlor-
nance, and on which his coonshp was
painted in various gro'esque attitudes.
"Some oflhe actors in those contempti-
bile transactions, were protesting christi
ans.
"Mr Slit, like an honest man, felt in
dignant and gave ulterance to his feelings,
he consequence was, that the Clay Club
passed severe resolution of sensure, de-
nouncing MIR Sltt as Loco foco, and
unworthy the confidence of the Wing part
ty, and discontinued their subscriptions
This alarmed the publisher, Mr. Meredith,
who tamely succumbed, dismissed his ed-
tor, apoliglzed to their coonships, hoped he
would not be blamed for the writings of
the editor, and most humby informed
them, that the withdrawal of their patron
age was loss to him, not to Mr. Slit, He
further deprecated any wrath which might
be excited by inserting communication
from Mr. Sltt in self-jus,tication.
"In this communication, MIR Slit pledg-
es himseIfto support Henry Clay, and, in
deed, of his orthodoxy as whig no one
can doubt-f we may except his devotion
to coons, Against these 'varmints' he
seems to cherish uncharilable feelings.
"'Had L. says he, have denounced a
Uuited States Bank, protective tariff, or
the distribution ofthe proceeds of the sales
of the public lands, it is matter of doubt
whether more Indignation would have
been excited than has been vented on me
for my denuncation of his Coonship.-
And what, would ask, is there about a
coon that should make It an object offs such
love and veneralionl For my part, | have
always looked on this animal as sneakng,
proving, and mischievous night deprada-
tor, and that it was rather to be hunted
down as pest to society than to be caress-
ed as being Of party idolalry. 1t is true
that a leading member of the party remark
ed to me few days ago, that he looked
upon the coon 'as a brother but, for my
part, have no disposition 10 aspire to such
honorable associations
"The Egyptians, we believe, never Of
Cered up human sacrifices to the lizards
aed crocodles which they deifed,
"The Hooshiers have taken a step in adj
vance-they have sacrificed at least one
man to a Coon. How may more such of
ferings will be demanded, ere that polil
cal contest be overl'