The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-09-11
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
LIE CLArRE, Aug. 30,h, 1851.

Mr.. EDlToR the last Banner, rcao
communication from the pen o!"laurc.,
"a very fair specimen Of the genius, "a
en-, and taste Of that apostle Cor rather
,postatc) Of modern democracy. an
aware that am seating myself TO engage
I'm nsmall business and that cfestlsag
with filthy things is dangerous; but rs
.Laurel'' has been 'ssort OF" politician
among us for some years, ! feel that am
lnder some obligations 70 pay passing
respect to '',his funeral pile" Of political
|lrckery. As demsgogue,- -dough-faced
md trescherous,--a political gambler
lknayish. and craity--considering abilities,
he is unequaled. .'l.anrel" has several
times misrcpresented this county IN thr
Territorial aud State Legislatures, by sell
ing himself to localities, pledging his votes
and influence TO local in,ercsts--by skulk-
|iag around caucus meetings and feeding
lpon the pismircs Of faction and the worms
of disaiicc,ion, bred in the whig aud demo.
cratic parties. by himself, and others oil his
SIXTH and kin,"--lhose blowilies, that are
continually buzzing aroand caucus slangh-
ter shops, where honest men are buichered
and rogues make themselves conspicuous
by their deeds OF cruelty. Thus has he
gained some 'snotorie,y;' (and relieved the
"iehingn in his case ,rusD more BY his
whiting sycophantic servility than from
any thing else. Laurel is the champion
Il Tie .'far-famed'' hog law-ono who
stood upon the breast works" in defence
If the "new CODE" Are these moi reasons
sufficient for condescending TO notice the
yarruloas article and its politically dead
auihor? Shall The mournful waiIings The
diving groans Of ..Laurel"-the Lion Of LIE
Claire democracy heard and no one
answer? 10 one sympaihize? Shall the
cold sweat Of death be allowed 10 CONCEAL
upon his brow, merely because he laid yio
lent hands upon himsef--commilted sui
eide? Must he die "anwept and unsung?'
No kind friends, sLaurel' was a politician
md man, lin his way" and we should
show due respect to his 'slast sad remains"
In the discharge Of this incumbent duty.
| shall endeayor to coafiae my remarks To
political s.Laurel," aud say nothing pro or
,on of bis private character, except, where
/ is inseparably connected with his poliii.
al career, which will compare well with
he military career Of the celebrated foarsil
corporal Shocks, whose official honor and
lightly, no one Of his day and age dared
,all 10 question.
As il is fashionable 10 give concise hi.
ograPhica! sketch Of the corpse n ianera
addresses, and as s.Laurel'sn life has been
one Of thrilling incidents, daring sdyen-
lures, courageous exploits and hairs
breadth escapes, ! trust kind reader, you
will pardon me, il should transcend the
prescribed limits Of funeral obsequies.
The deceased, is the Legitimate son Of
the Rockingham eounty-town strife; and,
was found growing-like toadstool upon
its saYosite locality--in grog- shop, in the
village Of Parkhurst lie has performed
some Of the greatest ieats Of "grouad and
lofty tumbling" ever attempted by smor,alI
man." (Sam Patch not exccpted) and j,
said to be $40 sioucIl" on the slack uire 10
caucus meetings.
Gros selling (as matter Of colrse) h,dI
gained for him ''notorie,y," (perhaps with.
out 'itcbing'') and he was offered the nom.
nation fnr the Office Of representative b,
he Rockingham party. The propositions
vas accepted, Of course, swearing lasting
allegiance, and life long fidelity to The
righteous cause.
Tie party met ia convention, and "Iau-
rel" was Nominated and until the election
vas enthusiastic, yea, boiserous and noisy.
advocating the claims Of his parcn,age.
lie likewise voted for Rockingham when
the question was before the people. Rock
ingham was chosen as the county town.
and .Lanrem was the representative elect.
The question was settled; all was again
calm and uniroubled, Davenport became
resigned TO her fate, the deceased donned
ne robes Of official dignity and was crown
ed with the aurc!s Of victory.
Here, | ought perhaps, to aiude 10 some
'fihe pugilstic exploits Of the representa-
i've elect; but | must economize. A, the
proper time Laurel took bis departure
for the capitol where he arrived in saiet
believe; bat oh! a lack aud alas! for The
fate Of The Rockipghamiies and his pledges
A new scene was here presented, g!o-
rious future was revealed to the anxious
eyes Of sLaurel," bis countenancc bright
ened with anticipation, bis heart swelIed
with youthful mot "uerdantn trusl) ambi.
lion, beat conyulsiyely, and his blood bound
I'd in lis vessels like jets from the spout OF
IN Infatuated hand .pumD. the idea Of n sec