The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-10-24
BORDER RUFFIANS.

OSANOAAs @NSA @<AA>S'
When boys get into an argument and
one of them feels himself unable to meet
the other with facts of character suf-
fciently strong to Salty his compeers of
the correctness Of his position, he leaves
the field of debate and commences furi
Gus application of offensive epithets.
The vulgarity of this course usually
drives the foe from the field, just as con-
test with certain spotted animal of
highly concentrated extract is sure to re-
suit in defeat to him who attempts its
destruction.
As it is with boys, SO do we find it with
. class of political writer's and takers, in
every campaign. Incapacity to perceive
an argument, or unwillngness to receive
it, leaves them no alternative but the in
diligence OF the coarsest language towards
those whom they thus confess themselves
unable to answer. This mode of silencing
q battery of facts that otherwise would
prove annihilating to them, is the peculiar
ammunition now used by many gentlemen
advocating the pretensions of Col. FIRE.
mont. We would not alludc to this style
OF engineering campaign if its practice
were confined to those who had publicly
renowned good breeding, but when men
whose private characters are beyond re-
proach, whose language on ordinary SUBJ
jecss is decent and respectful. so far forget
their self-respect aseto cover up member
eft the Democratic party with such cpl
thetsas "Border Rufians" BUCCANEERS, -
"Doughfaccs" DC, &C., we confess our
selves unwilling to remain silent lest we
may be regarded as acknowledging the
justice of their application.
If there was any significance in the
terms, any cunning exhibited in their use,
the act which we reprehend might be
pardoned, or at least passed over, in con-
sideration of the wit displayed, but VIII.
the repetition of this offence against good
sense and good manners becomes SO fire
quant and SO fiat, we grow weary of it,
and in spite of large share of good humor
in matters political, we find ourselves in
voluntarily thinking what a,eok thing a
politician must be, to be able to sustain the
opinions he advances, in no other way
than by the coarsest kind of unmeaning
denunciation.
The term Border Ruffian" is 80 freely
used by gentlemen, who, we take the lib
erty to conclude. have no other weapon,
that We suppose it probable enough that
many an honest Iowa Democrat has taken
an extra look at his glass to discover il
possible, whether that principle of his
creed which underlies all other American
principles, viz., the right efMe settler to
make his o,cn laws, has changed his face
and appearance to such an extent as to
make him appear more Ruffianly than
before while it would not surprize us
to learn that some very tender hearted
member Of the old National organization
had incontinently left the household OF
faith" and joined the opposition to escape
that greatest of all dangers-the charge
of being "Dough-face.'' We wish the
men Of this character well. We have moi
one unkind feeling towards them, but we
would ask thom in all sincerity to tell us
precisely how much weight there is in
mere bombastic vituperation. Ifthey dis
cover, as we know they will upon investi
CATION. that they have been frightened
from their psopriety" by clamor instead
offact-if they suspect that they are play.
ing part in this canvass that upturns all
the acts of their past lives and renders
them, just what, tonr gears ago they with
patriotic isdigna!ion would have denied
bcing-thc followers Of an army led on
insanely BY Gidiings and Greedy q
Phillips and a Gerret Smith, we reques,
them in IS kindly tones and with as per-
suasive language as respect for truth will
allow. to look back over the events of the
past--and deliberately ask what all this
"muss" is about-aad when you hear
your orators declaring and your papers
insisting that 1.-THE only proper way to set
tie the Kansas difficulty is to allow the
bona tide settlers to make their own laws
aaiaauncsd b. outside pressure Of any