The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-06-12
Docsiicks Possessed by War
Devil.

Devil.
The immortal Doesticks is again before the
public. In recent letter, after describing
the overwhelming war excitement in his own
peculiar way, and its. remarkable effects on
himself, he continues:
Now, this is doubtlt SIS all very well, but |
find that am rapidly loosing my health,
and | do not know but am Also loosing my
mind. In truth begin to fear that I am
going mad. I'll give you some ofmy symp-
toms. formerly thought that every man
had right to freely express his opinions,
and say what he pleased about everything
and everybody : but Of late have become
possessed ofa Dcvil--Large Devi-Big Devil
Huge Devil--War Devil-who whispers to
me I'm these times, every man who is not
for us is against us, and no man has right
to be traitor in the midst of true men,
Devil may be right-don't knaw-but Devil
goes contrary to my early education. Had
an argument with Devil yesterday, thus
Doesticks Every man has right to free
speech.
Devil.-Not ifhe talks treason.
Docsticks.-Every man has right to do
as he pleases.
Devil.--Not if he wants to rob you, and
cut the threats Of you and your neighbors.
Doesticks. if man mayn't talk
what becomes Of the boastcd freedom of the
country.
Devil.-Freedom don't mean that the
South shall have everything their own way,
while the North knecl down and let "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. 1 should have thought,
were terrible. This morning, Brown, who
was born in Georgia-and who has, for years,
been industriously keeping up the fiction
that he owns 'niggers, said something about
the North being all mechanics, while the
Southerners are all gentlemen Devil said.
Shut him up.
Didn't mind Devil. Brown. continued
Lincoln ought to be hung--Seward and all
the leaders Of the Republican party ought to
be hung-all Republicans are rascak.
Devil said hit him.
Didn't pay attention to devil. Brown
went on: All these soldiers that are going to
Washington are cowards--won't fight. One
South Caroiinian regiment can wipe out
twenty regiments Of your Northern mechan-
ic scum. wish somebody would poison
the whole lot they are not fit to die by the
swords Of gentlemen I wish some patriotic
Southerner had poisoned the whole Seventh
Regiment
Devil said: Hit him.
Took aovice of the devil did hit him -
knocked him down stepped on him tum-
bled 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 down to re-
feet.
Education said, You're wrong You ought
to let the man speak his mind you ought
to 60 in for free speech.
Devil said, You're right |; Go it, my boy !;
Fm with you.
Thought Devil mas about right after all
went down town--heard stranger say -
Northern soldiers couldn't fight any-all
towards )" didn't wait for deyil-hit strau-
ger--hit him hard--hit him so he fell down
hit him so he didn't get up--hit him so he
couldn't get up--hit him so he didn't want
to get up-thcn rassed along--met Robin
son-Robinson said something about the
"South being right'-acted-on my own re-
sponsibility without waiting for suggestion
from Devil, and hit Robinson hit
back--lively time for five Enthusiastically
Devil whispered, "hit him in short ribs
did hit him in short ribs-and Robinson
didn't want to be hit anywhere again Rob
inson didn't think The South so right as they
had been-Robinson was converted to the
true faith Robinson joined the Home zou-
ayes that night.
Now, Mr.. Editor, what shall l do !? Shall
I give in to the Devil, or shall physic him
out ofmee Is he right or is lie wrong p
Ought l 60 in for free speech, or ought to
knock on traitors when hear them talk :?
Have knocked on three traitors, with con
siderable success-think traitors ought be
knocked on-now the question is, whether
shall so in for liberty Of speech, and let
traitors talk, or whether I Shall knock on
them.
Is the Devil right or is the Devil wrong
| find great many people possessed with
the Doestick's 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 traitors.
Please answer Immediately, for Devil knows
of traitor round the corner, and is urging
me to 60 and knock on him. Traitor is
talking loud If he keeps on one minute
longer shall have to =
Traitor didn't fancy being knocked on and
he knocked back. Deviland were too mucl
for him. Yours, dsbolically, DoEsrIcKs
P. B.
p. S.-Never mind answering about Devil
guess he's all right At any rate Won