Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1851-08-20
From the N Y. Spirit of the Times.
How happened 10 turn Demo-
Cr0t.

1t is not every man, Mr.. "Spirit," )"
that can give good reason for his
political predictions, however the
majority may be among the masses
in proclaiming their adherance to one
or the other party. Some are demo-
Gratis, as some are wings, because of
association, or accident, or fancy; but
few, very few, as party politics suf-
ficiently prove, because of rational
and intelligent adherence to princi-
Pile. The moral of our sketch illus
trates this fact.
on ask how become a demo-
crat," said sleek, well-clad ex-ofH-
cial to gaping crowd, "and, now
that I'm out of Office I'll tell you, If
it's only for a joke. In 40, in Vir-
ginny, 1 was bank man: ! thought
banks made money plenty, and, as
that was what | desired, couldn't
see the sense opposing them. My
folks were all democrats; but, as
was for banks, they all said was a
whig-and SO ranked myself. Just
before the election, happened to go
on visit to the country, and when
there, having nothing better to do,
went coon-hunting.' | captured a
fine, fat, rank old fellow, and brought
him home. | knew he was not fit to
eat at that season, but concluded,
Notwithstanding, to have some fun in
my own way.
Arrived at home, threw the coon
down at the door way, and remarked
to tie lady of the house that I'd be
glad to have it cooked for dinner.
"What!' said she; that coon for dim
ner?
eyes," | replied; 4 am very fond OF
coon, and eat it all seasons"
had no expectation of finding my
joke carried into practical effect.
only expected to give the girls an op-
portunity to talk a little concerning
my strange appetite for coons in the
summer season; but, to my horror and
dismay, when dinner was served, my
coon was place directly before me-
There was but one way for me to
preserve my credit for truthfulness
and that was to eat heartily of the
rankest meat that covers the skeleton
of any four footed tribe. Several la.
dies were at the table; and was fore
ed by politeness to ask them to par.
tax of my coon.
"Will you have some coon?" said
to the nearest one.
"No; sir; only eat coon in the
winter season." was the reply.
"Will you have piece?"
"No, sir; neUe,' eat coon."
J ~ung tried "all' the ladies and
finding them Of the same mind, | was
forced to attack the varmint myself
| selected the best piece; but it was
like whitleather, and rank-Got
bless melt was nearly as rank a.
a rolecat; yet was forced to eat.
was cooked for me at my request, ant
could not avoid eating some of it.
OF all the dinners l ever sat dowl
to, this one syill stick the fastest ant
remain the longest in vivid remem
brance in my memory. | had like
to have choked. | knew the animal
habits, and magnified this old fellow
into the Solomon of his tribe. fan
cied him ranker than any of his kind
The thought of eating coon in sum
mer time, and the remark it woul
create, came over me, and at ever
swallow | could feel the perspiratio
oozing out of me as though l wa
placed over steam-bath. The girl
evidently enjoyed my misery, as the
side -glances and smothered gigglin
indie ated.
At length, much to my relief, Dime
was over, and imagination, workin
upon my stomach, soon relieved it {
its unpleasant load.
. When again met the ladies, | we
in better mood, and managed to e,
plain my propensity for coons, by RI
, minding them that where ] lived a
! considered them luxuries, as the
{ were not SO plent as in the neighbo
| hood In which | was sojourning.
; fancied that had gotrid Of the COO