The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1854-03-16
eo,,tics, NOMENCLATURE in New York

The following from the \. Y. Tft51rs is
explanatory ofterms in common ceptat;on
among politicians ,hstnay not be known to
al. cur read ess:-
"SilYer Grays" are the Wings whose del
egates bslted frem .he Wing State Con-
yention OF 1850 because resolution was
passed therein commenting the Senatorial
course OF William II Seward Francis
Granger, President OF the convention, head
ed the bolt, and was President OF the sup
Elementary Convention held BY the boilers
and their allies Il Utica some weeks after
the regular Convention. Ii taking the
chair at Utica, Mr. Granger made one Of
his usual pleasant speeches. wherein he
first termed his seEt of Wings '.the Silver
Grays"-a name which thence is accorded
them. It's applied generally to that per-
ton Of the Wings Of the Free States who
approve and uphold the Fugitive Slave Lag
and are afraid that Governor Seward will
dissolve TIE Union.
"O.d Haatarsi and @Baral4ra.rs" are
terms which originated as far back a. Gov.
Wnght's Administration, when the anti
Canal. anti-Corporation wing Of the party,
then led 81 Col. sam Young, and Michael
Hoffman, were Ekened by . legislator IF the
opposite faith 10 IN old putehman whose
barn was infested BY rats. and who 70 get
rid OF them sci his barn On fire sni burned
it, This was thought SO apt an illustration
OF the gatl-Daak. anti-CAa-te- spirit, that
the terri OF Ba-nburners was applied to the
followers Of Young and Hoffman, and il
has ever since adhered 10 them. The Sia-
very question was not prominent al the on
set; but the Barnburners aiterward took
r. ~. H.. 4 u IL 4
from the nomination Of Gen. Cass at Bait
more. The other wing were called by
them Old Hunkers, implying that they were
the champions Of old abuses and the oppo-
nents OF Radical IDEAS and measures. This
term came in due course 10 indicate tae OPP
poneats Of Free Ssi!ism and supporters OF
Gen. Cass.
lizards" or"S Soft Shell" are those Hunkes
who have never cordially fra;ernized with
the Van Burens, b. r. Batter and othe,
Baaruturners, but insisted that. having
beaten the party at one Presidential eiec
ton, they ought To take back seat. IN,
wait awhile before cutting in for Cabiae
offices, Embassies, and other fat places. -
They say that the Barnburnars have n3
really conformed to the party standard res.
pecting Slavery. but only proposing - d.
50 in order 10 obtain & liberal share CT the
spoils. Softs were originally those Cass
men Of As who were wiilin. 10 accept the
Barnburners az regular members Of the par
~ in good standing, and receive their pro-
fesson Of faith as satisfactory; ba: finally.
BagAharners and all who rallied Under the
flag Of Marcy ana Seymour we're spoken Of
u Softs.
"Subteuaueans" are those who ii5a in
cellars aud easements, and Of whom The
Hon. Nike Walsh considers himself the or
acle and leader. Politically Il implies those
who are cons'aa.iy urging on the Democrat
ic party To its most reckless and perai-
cious acts.
"Shor' Boys" is name assumed by d
club Of rowdes and laHbreaks who are Tor
were) accustomed 10 gather in certain up.
town grogshops. Al the last Democratic
State Convention il was asserted that Il
gang Of ihose rowdies was in attendance,
under pay Of the "Softs," to aid them
by violence aud intimidation In obtain.
ing the control OF that body. Hence the
'sHardsn called the "Soft' the 'Short Boy
ticket.