The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-11-05
For the :spirit."
The Other Sile of the Picture.

the Monroe Journal was devoted to "pole
raising" generally, and "Star Spangled
Banners particularly. Having no doubt
but that some at least of the "Woolleys"
will be verdant enough to swallow the
whole two and one-half columns devoted !
to that subject, as they are quite remark
able for their gullibility, l beg leave, hav
ing been present as well as "Spectator,"
to give my version of the affair.
l claim that my account of the pro-
ceedings is entitled to more credit than
spectators" for two reasons:
lst. Spectator" as he himself will
admit, was so unfortunate in the "days Of
his youth" as to contract the very unami-
able and very reprehensible habit of evad-
ing the truth; and when he grew up to the
years and stature of manhood, instead of
abandoning that vile habit, which is de-
nounced by the Bible and all other good
books, he completely verified, by the
course which he has pursued in his more
mature years. that ancient maxim. "just
as the twig is bent the tree is inclined"
2nG. This second proposition not be-
ing like unto the first, self.evident, (who
that reads the article in the Journal will
deny it,? will require some substantial
tion.
Now be it remembered, that Mr. Spec
tator is not charged with imbibing any
thing spirituous on that day, is not charg-
ed with being inebriated, intoxicated, or
drunk, or either of them, for it is well
known that he, Spectator" is strictly
temperate on almost all occasions But it
is claimed that as it was quite chilly the
day the pole was raised, and as it was
public day, and as it was election times,
and as there was plenty of fluids, if q
man ever did permit himself to indulge
slightly, it is not at all Improbable that
he would select that very identical time.
But let us imagine ourselves on the ground
in the immediate vicinity of the spot
where the Democrats contemplated plant
ing the hickory. There are numbers of
persons present, but your attention is di-
rected to one individual particularly.
Seated on door step is an individual
about thirty.fve years Of age, engaged
apparently in earnest thought. His hand
, some brow, overshadowed by waving hair,
and about three-fourths of the rim of an
old hat, is slightly contracted as if in deep
and earnest thought, or as if "something
hurt him." In Que hand he holds wooden
pencil sharpened at one end, in the other
is grasped sl.eet of white foolscap. His
costume is after the fashion of the times,
that is to say, leg-envelopes very tight
and coat tails extremely long, and it is
necessary TO add, that there may be no
; mistake in the identity, that out of the
folds of one of the aforesaid coat tails
protruded the larger end of what may
have been, comparatively speaking, a
small corn cob, which corn cob may or
may not have been inserted in the neck oi
flask, which flask may have contained
but the latter is all mere conjecture,
and should not be INDUCED in by no man.
ner of means Of course it is necessary
as before intimated, to be very particular
in description, that there may be no mis-
J take in the identity, this is all the excuse
, that is offered for describing so minutely
the personal appearance of Mr.. Specta-
tor.
While "Spec." was yet seated on the
step, long visaged individual, with a
, singular woe begone countenance, ap-
, preached, and ga locker on " heard the
following interesting dialogue:
1t is necessary to premise that the new
conner resided in the country, and although
! he had heard some things was not alto
Igether posted up in the political news.
Coantrymaa: (Smiling ruefufly,) "How
dye do, Mr.. SPECTATOR"
Spec. "How (hic) are you my (hic)
l friend? (hic.y'
i Caunfryman: AAny news from poor
, down trodden Kanzas in the last Era?'
Spec: (Savagely) "No! But (hic)
there's news from (hic) (hic) Penn (hic)
sylvania (hic)."
CO,rs1ys.aa. "Hew did Pennsylvania
i go?"
Spec: "Go! It went to- (hic) (hic). u
i Countrynsan: "Well suppose by this
time you have heard from Indiana, and ]
reckon she went all right"
. Spec: docking very unamiable) "I'm
t a takin' notes and don't want to be both
, cred about {hic) small matters"
just at this interesting period in their
conversation the hickory commenced 60
: ling up, the whole 205 feet rising in the
: air most majestically" as "Spec" just
{ then said in his notes.
/ The conversation was again resumed
by "Countryman" who inquired "What
was the exact democratic majority in
Monroe"
The reply to this inquiry will not be
here recorded; suffice it to say that not
fonly was "Ceautryman" considerably 'sot
: back but the language used was in di-
/ rect violation of the Statute In such case
made and provided, as we'll as contrary to
the teachings of all the Sabbath school
books now in general circulation.
After Specs equanimity was somewhat
restored, he concluded to soothe his
, wounded feelings by something consoling,
4 4