The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-05-18
Doe.lIcks Possessed by q WAR Devil.

The immortal Doesticks is again before the
public: In recent letter, after describing the
overW helming war excitement in his own peculiar
way, and its remarkable effects on himself, he
continues:
Now, this is doubtless all very well, but find
that am rapidly losing my health, and do not
know but am also losing my mind. In truth
begin to fear that am going mad. I'll give you
some of my symptoms. formerly thought that
every man had right to freely express his opin.
ions and say what he p!eases about everything
aad everybody; but of late have become pos
sessed of Devil-Large Dcvil-Big Devi.-Huge
Devil-War Devil--who whispers TO me: ain
these times, every who is not for us is against
u.s. and no man has right to be traitor in the
midst of true men," Devil may be right-don't
know-but Devil goes contrary to my early edu-
cation. Had an argument with Devil yesterday,
thus:
Doesticks.-Every man has right to free
speech
Devil.-N0t if lie talks treason.
Doesticks.--Eyery nan has right to do as he
pleases.
Deyil.-Not if he wants to rob you, and cut
the threats of you and your neighbors.
DOesticks.-But, If man mayn't talk, what
becomes of the boosted freedom of the country.
Devil.-Frecdom don't mean that the South
shall have everything their own way, while the
North kneel down and let 1.-THE chivalry" walk
over their necks.
You see, the Devil that has got into me is too
much for me on the talking question, and had
to give in. Devil makes me do things that
month ago, / should have thought, were terrible
This morning, Brown, who Was born in Georgia
and who has, for years, been industriolsly
keeping up the fiction that he owns ''nggers,"
said something about the North being all me-
clanics, while the Souherne,s are the only gen.
tlemen" Devil said: Shut him up.
Didn't mind Devil. Brown continued: Lin
coin ought to be hung-Seward and all the lead
ers of the Republican party ought to be hung
all Republicans are raScals.
Devil said: Hit him.
Didn't pay attention to devil. Brown went
on: All these soldiers that are going to Wash
ington are cowards-won't fight One South
Carolinian regiment can wipe out twenty regi-
ments of your Northern mechanic scum. wish
somebody would poison the whole lot; they are
not fit to die by the swords ofgentlemen l wish
some patriotic Southroncr had poisoned the
whole Seventh Regiment.
Devil said: Hit him.
Took advice of the devil; did hit him knock
ed him down; stepped on him; tumbled over him;
rolled over him; thumped him smashed him;
have no doubt devil would have said hammer
him" didn't wait for devil; did hammer him ; let
him up; then knocked him down; let him up,
and kicked him out of doors. Sat downto reflect.
Education said, You're wrong You ought
to let the man speak his mind you ought to 90
in for free speech.
Devil said; You're right; you've done the right
thing. Go it, my boy; Pm with you
Thought Devil was about right after Advent
down town--heard stranger say: Northern
soldiers couldn't fight any-all towards" didn't
wait for devil-hit stranger-hit him hard-hit
him On ha foil dnWn--bit hin, h.. Il j,1,
hit him so he couldn't get up-hit him so he
didn't want to get up-then passed along-met
Robnson-Robinson said something about the
rs nth being right'-acted on my own Iespon-
sibty without waiting for suggestion from Dew
il, and hit Robinson hit back-lively
time for five Enthusiastically Devil whispered
shit him in short rbs"-aid hit him in short ribs
and Robinson didn't want to he hit there again
Robinson didn't want to be hit any where again
Robinson didn'. think the South so right as
they had been-Robnson was converted to the
true taith--Rohnso j in. i the Home Zouavcs
that night.
Now, Mr. Editor, what shall I do? Shall /
give in to Devil, or shall physic him out OF me.
Is he right or is he wrong? Ought 60 in for free
speech. or ought to knock on traitors when I
hear them talk! Have knocked on three traitors
with considerable success-think traitors ought
to be knocked on--now the question Is, whether
shall go in for liberty of speech, and let trait
ors talk, or whether shall knock on 'em
Is the Devil right or is the Devil wrong?
hnd great many people possessed with the
Doestlcks' Devil, and think traitors ought to be
knocked on. Shall we try to get rid Of these
devils or shall we get rid of the tratorse Please
answer Immediately, for Devil knows of a traitor
round the corner, and is urging me to go and
knock on him. Traitor is talking loud; if he
keeps on one minute longer I shall have to =
Traitor didn't fancy being knocked on and he
knocked back. Devil and were to much for
MN. Yours, diabolically, Dorsrlcxs. p. B.
S-Never mind answering about Devil.
guess he's all right, At any rate wont phy.
sic him out for week or 80. I'D. p. m
1850 - 8