Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-05-17
COMMUNICATIONS.
FOR TIE E-VQ U7RER.
COON CONVENTIONS IN BALTIMORE
"Ths Coon is on his Track -

FOR TIE ENQUIRER.
COON CONVENTIONS IN BALTIMORE.
"Ths Coon is on his Track ;"
The public prints are teeming with descriptions OF
the great froc, SPREE Coon Conventions, that met
in Baltimore on the lst and End days of May. was
present at the show, and it s my purpose to give to
your readers account of the dongs on that mealo-
rabe occasion. The great and main object with the
leaders of the Wing party, in getting this spectacle
was to carry what Mr. Clay had commenced to wit:
a magnificent system CT eectoneering. He, We all
know took the stump some short time since and I'M
der the hypocritical suise of travelling to the
try, and private business, with his companions,
Bear Moseey, Brownlow and Stanly, has harangued
the people with speeches Of party character not
with the aro,ced object of eevatng himself TO the high
est post within the gs OF free people, for, that would
not do, or suit the decenoy party; bnt, with that OBJ
iect, as properly deny. He has lately re-
pented of this course and, since he has obtained the
nomination of the Wing party, he does not think II
becoming in candidate for the Presidency, TO meet
his friends public assemblies Can you or the peo-
pie see the difference the distinction, between the
course of Henry Clay, three weeks before these
Conventions met, and after they had met? He
knew, that as certainly as these Conventions CID
meet and he lived, lie would be nominated as
the candidate Of the Wing party. He then
making speeches and eectoneerng for the Presiden.
CIV And where is the difference between Henry Clay
then, and Henry Clay who was nominated unanimous
Nv by the Convention electoneering since he was no.
j
nomination, he admits it to be, surely 1t un-
becoming and indelcate, prior to his nomination by
the Convention lie now knows, ladeed, that as he
was nominated through the means and appliances which
were used in Baltimore on The first week OF May. and
that the leaders 10 take themselves the bur
den of eectoneerng, there is longer any use Tor
his services in that line. Pardon this depression, and
let US return TO the Coon Contention in Baltmcre
arrived in that city "Wednesday morning. l had
not been in the city hours, when my attention was
attracted by the sound of music The band consisted
of eight ten musicians dressed IN deer skins,
with skin caps The leader OF The band, and, for
aught know of the leaders of this great and uni
versal Wing party, carried pole the top OF which
was be poor and hali-starved coon manacled
and tied by chains. They were followed by hundreds
of Wings and received from them hearty applause
This yas the first evidence of Wing decency that
saw, This exhibition was Wing principle.
Moving about the City during this day, WED
nesday,) ! would al the corners of the streets
crowds engaged in the laudable aud patriotic task
of singing what they call Coon songs, taken
from that great textbook of the Wing party, "the
Clay Minstrel, to the tunes Of Rosin the Beau, Old
Dan Tucker &c. This the second evidence
saw Of Wing decency, and another Wing principle, oil
course
Towards night and at night you would see the CT
feels Of Intoxicating drinks; and liquor seemed to have
rather a stronger and more stimulating effect than
songs, Coons. and enthusiasm for Clay Never did
imagine that should ever be witness to the scenes
of dissipation, debauchery and drunkenness, that eve
ry where met my eye. Vice. unrebuked, pervaded Tor
the time the Monumental City This was Wing de-
cency. And enquiry should be nude here, if this 100
wss Wing principle?
On this day, Wednesday, the Convention for The no.
minaton of Presden, and Vice President, assembled
IN the Universais Church, which came very near CIV
ing away under the weight and pressure of Whgge-
ry but, fortunately accident occurred Judge Spen-
Ger OF New York was chosen President. THIS Con-
Ven,ion nominated Clay their candidate unanimous
ly--and the nomination received with hurrahs
c1o af k,pl -. IF
this party Theodore Frelinghuysen, after several
votes, selected their candidate for the Vice Pre-
sidency-and who was more astonished at his nomina
ton, than those who made him the candidate for this
high Officer | hear that this gentleman lives in New
York-that he is native of New Jersey-was once
Senator from the last mentioned Slate; and the Wings
say he has filled many chartnhe Offices lie Ger
ainly very charitable agreeing to run the cand-
dale for the Wings. The next dsy-the 81 cond-was
the grand parade day, and the Young Mems Conven-
ton for Ratification met az Canton, near Baltimore Al
curly hour, you could III Baltimore street men,
and children, rushing to and fro-and the chill
dren seemed 10 be much delighted as If they were
gong monkey show. The men, decorated With
all sorts of gewsaws, such as badges medals ribbons,
sashes, buttons DC, were assembling at their respec-
tive places of rendezvous. The delegates TO this
gust, sage and respectable Convention, were counted
about o'clock, A. Nj and The prize, banner was
given to little Delaware, TO the great modification OF
the Coons of Virginia. who commended for the prize
From this count, you will perceive that there not
more than 7,lS0, no, including the delegation from
Maryland, which | supposed contained two or three
thousand The Proce formed Baltimore
street. the respective delegations having assembled
.he cross leading into this main street, and
would fail into line on this wide street. favora
bIy situated 10 see this grand show FIRST came the
big men of the party-Websler, Crltenden, Bolts
Stanly Brownlow, &c.-seated in fine carriages, and
drawn BY fine horses. These were the show keepers
aud managers of this great Menagere. Then came The
different delegations each with Marshal, on horse
back, looking gay and self satisfied as circus
rider. Each delegation had banner or banners
some had with their banners, birds, coons. &c,-
one had hog-one ship drawn ny SIX horses
.-one had platform wheels drawn by horses
this platform, men locking rs little like hard
working men mechanics Us the great men who rode
in the fine carriages. Some Of these men were thresh
ing wheat-one had the plough handles in his hands
&c On another they were weaving, and had the Hon
MIR Netheed officiating head workman 4 most con-
temptble piece ofafeca,ion wonder itths gentleman
any manufacturing stock a, the North, and if he
is benefited by the last black Tariff act There
was printing press in full operation There was
big ball, not drawn BY horses, but by men. On this
ball were devices and notices; but could not read
them as the ball was in continual motion. This was
a fit emblem Of Whiggery, as they are constantly
changing and turning their principles There were hum
dreds Of ags There were banners OF all sorts, shapes
sizes and colors. There was hog. There were ten
or twelve coons-one Of whom, heard to-day had
committed suicide in fit Of political despair There