The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-03-23
From the Clayton County journal.
GUTrENBFRG. March 18th


Mr.. Editor ofthe Clayton County .1ou,nal-I
see in the last issue of the North Iowa Times,
an article over the signature of Alonzn B own
w hat the ntjnct - the u-r;to. -
Tor me to divine, but presume from his recent
attack upon some of our county officers, that he
is determined to write himself into notice, if
not to make himself notorious.
Some men can earn no fame otherwise, than
by abusing their ncghbors.
If what he said of our county officers he
true, (though he i'm Heated but part of them, }
the entire officials having charge Of the CO MY
funds, from the Comfy Judge down to the
low est officer, are graceless set OF scamps.-
This believe will not find any favor among
the peo lie of our County. That none of or
county officers deigned TO reply 10 his SANDER
Gus charges, can only he acc ,unted for on the
ground that when a man fights a battle with Il
Skunk, he is almost sure TO be despatched,
and carry off portion Of his odiferous smell.
Not sati' fed with your attack upon the Coun-
ty Office rs, you new come out and ;s~al whole
commt nifty. This, sir, is the only reason why
] make reply.
You accuse men Of fraud and corruption
whose character and standing are above re-
proach. When doing SO, YOU snouid rene ulber
that hy your recent conduct. you have placed a
black spot on your character, that time " ill not
etfa'c. Your reckless wholesale swearing in
the court, by making your aft lavit to petit ion,
a Out which you admitted you knew little or
nothing, and that you did not see the petition
signed, has given you some reputation, as a
convenient witness, in any case that may arise
in our courts.
If you ever blushed in your life it should
have been on the occasion when you filed that
affidavit. You say your cheek has been man
tied with blush, Oh account of the election
frauds in Gutenberg. Sir, would as soon be.
lieve the story l read in my youth in a book
called the Wonders of Nature and Providence.
in which it is related that negro was afflicted
with disease, his big toe turned white, and
finally he turned into perfect white man.
Your story about the rejoicing in Gutenberg,
on the Sunday evening before the court is in
keeping with your other assertions, there was
no such rejoicing. but l admit. as you say, that
we We're surprised as every one else present
were, to hear you swear to the petitions crcC-
lated 10y others, no man believed that any one
reckless enough could be iolnd to do SO. Not
only We're We disappointed. but likewise many
who favored Garna,iIlo. You say the law con.
t, mplates that one credible witness swear to tho
petition. This is not true, it says ut least one
creditable witness, but does not preclude 9TH
els. ask, can q man swear that men are
legal voters, when he did not see them sign the
petition.
You Say that your conscience is easy MS to
your swearing II ST., | think it is not like
ly 10 DC disturbed until GGb,els Trumpet
s0un1s.
AS to your charge, that Clayton county has
been dissraced by election frauds. in Guten.
berg. and p oposing to exchange committees 10
watch the polls, 10 prevent fraud have only
10 say, that it reminds me Of the story of thief
in city. who. t" prevent being caught ran
~ IS IL ali - I, I =
v.ice, "Siop thief stop thief" and thus made
his escape.
As to Your charge that committe from FL
kader were threatened with being thrown into
the river. such | am informed is not the fact
they were treated like gentleman, and went
away satisfied. So suspicious gentleman as
you would hardly extend such favOrs.
You y some OF these me men. are like 10
vote for G tlenberg This is not very compli
mentary to The citizens Of Elkader. That The
citizens of tuttenh berg aud Elkader should have
met on Westinghouse birthday, and chim,d
their merry songs together, and mingled in the
| gidy mazes OF the dance, on the birthday 81
him who led our armies in the revolution, and
now revered as the father of his country thai
| all local feelings and prejudices should be BY
them, on such an occasion, forgotten, seems e
horriy you, Mr.. Brown. But men of enlarged
minds and patriotic sentiments, will see in thi,
but anct,er evidence of the liberal spirit, social
feelings, and patriotic devotion Of the American
citizens, to those who achieved their indie send
cnce. The people OF Clayton County have had
trouble enough about the location Of the County
Seat. Thousands of dollars have been squan
dered to crafty such politicians rs Mr. Brown
until trust all our tax payers will not only
vote against change, but likewise execrate tbs
leaders who got up the resent excitement.
| M. Browns affidavit may not affect his con
science, hut il will he pockets of the tax payer:
Of the County to the tune OF at least one tho IS
and dollars. Mr.. Editor l beg your readers
pardon, for occupying SO IN CHI space in YOU
columns on SO small subject
WILLIAM POTTER.
The Editor of the North Iowa Times please
publish the above, and oblige an old friend.
i w