Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1856-09-25
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From the Brother Jonathan
THE HENS RIGHTS CONVENTION.


One day IN the winter, while feeding my cattle,
heard a strange sound, portentous of battle;
straghtway repaired to the scene of alarm
And there saw collected the hens of the farm, q
They were gathered around, in conference strong
Each anxious to speak of something twas wrong;
of wrongs that were suffered by young and by old,
And each in succession their narrative told
stately old Shanghai first mounted the stand;
She looked like a hen-roine born to command;
She spoke Of hens rights with voiuble tongue,
While shouts OF applause through the audience rung
She says, aIy dear sisters, fate seemeth hard;
We're trod under foot by the cocks of the yard;
Tis plain to be seen, it's very clear case,
That we're a neglected and down-trodden race"
Next spoke an old biddy, of Chttagong blood,
Who looked as though born the days OF the food
With feathers erect and FIRE in her eye,
She says, "For hens rights I'll labor and die.
@l'm strong-minded hen; you plainly see,
No longer I'll yield to the rooster's decree;
But true as the Gospel, I'll soon let him know
ThatFll do as please-and loudly I'll crow,
The next Java, in sable attire
Her looks showing vengeance, her eyes flashing fire;
She squakd out "Hens' rights a subject dear,
And if we're united we've nothing to fear.
"The good of the nation is what we demand,
And idle no longer we here ought to stand;
But rouse to the battle courageous and brave,
And crow like the roosters, country to saye."
An old Cochin China next entered the ring,
And says s'Tis lie, and no such a thing,
That our rights allowed us, much a need;
For we're surely in bondage, ard ought to be freed
elf we labor in earnest with nig ght and with main
And help another, hens rights to maintain
The day is not distant when roosters shall know
That strong minded hens will certainly crow"
dignifed Brama next to appear;
She spoke with much feeling, and free from all fear
She said she had pondered these things in her mind,
Ana to the side of humanity always inclined.
She says, ats our duty an effort to make,
And to the foundation old errcrs to shake
That daughters may bless u.s. when fairly they know
That in the dark ages the hens couldn't crow"
The next was Dorking, well favored with brass,
Who says that strange things will come to pass
The time is now coming, and shortly will be,
When strongminded hens will surely be free.
Sand idle no longer we here ought to stand;
But enter the field, and take the command;
For surely know better what's good for the race,
Than old fogy roosters, who out of their place.
A fierce little Bantam as large quail,
Next mounted the rostrum, and loudly did rail;
She screamed out, "Like Gabriel trumpet I'll blowi
I'm strong minded hen ! I'm anxious to crowl
"Ill lay no more eggs, nor set on the nest,
But strive for hens rights my utmost and best;
And if we'd be bappy-as all of us know,
The only thing needful is boldly to crow"
There more to be said but twas useless to stand
Ny spouse was approaching with broomstick in hand;
"Go wash up the Dishes and fetch in some wood;
And then rock the baby r. l told her would.
I've thought these things over, and over again;
And my mind on the subject now will explain;
think that the GREATEST of blessings below,
is that WOMEN should VOTE, and should CROW