The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-12-01

tude, derived from the speculaiions out
of the pockets of old Uncle Samuel, who
by the way must be very good natured
old fellow, he looks on with so much
complacency has been the late theme Of
sarcastic writer's, poets and perhaps
printers. Now want to show up lit
tie of the vast amount of shoddy there is
in human nature at large. and in this
fast age when we hardly look at anything
deeper than the outside, shoddy and
shoddyites l fear are more appreciated
than honest worth, as highly lustered
broadcloth, whose only merit lies in
teazles and british gum is eagerly sought
for, while the good aud substantial piece
Of domestic kersey lies idly on the shelf.
Now here is young lady, mind you l
don't mean all young ladies, who be-
lieves balls were invented in paradise,
promenades Washington Street every
pleasant day like full blown tiger lily
crowned with jockey hat and feather,
thinks those dear young officers are 20
fascinating, and then goes home to lie
upon the sofa novel in hand, only
getting up 10 practice few grimaces
before the mirror or grumble at her
mother and sisters, who are perhaps
over the: wash tub or telling with the
needle to keep her in idleness. Isn't
there some shoday there? tl."'
/ Well here is that ladies' dear Young
officer, you can see them any day.
Isn't he we'll got up his military coat
fits him TO perfection without wrinkle,
the buttons sparklein the sunlight, and
his Mcclellan cap sits so jauntily upon
his head, plentifu!ly showered with
maccassar, as he lazily saunters upon
the common, or gallantly hands a lady
over the crossing, the only gala deed
he ever did do While our country
calls loudly for defenders, and rebellion
rides rampant, he is g on detached ser
vice" His hands are innocent of blood,
and the scripture curse will fall lightly
upon him, for although he has taken the
sword for general effect he will never
perish by one. Very much shoddy.
Here's the political man. Of course he
is with the administration. they are in
power now, and the oaves and fishes are
remarkably large, even the fragments
are sufficient for multitude. lie is
great upon patriotism, and this accused
rebellion. calls loudly for volunteers, and
thinks the draft an excellent thing.
" But why don't YOU % some one
asks. !, oh -ah yes well I'm exemp'.
How strange it is that all the exempt
men ever saw were in favor of the
draft, and no Communication. Bah,
shoddy.
And the contractor, no need Of show
ing him up, he makes his thousands BY
shoddy, shoddy is written all over him,
even the little boys at play by the frog
pond exclaim as he passes by, " there
goes old shoddy." He sees nothing OF
the sufferings and privalions upon the
tented field, hears nothing of the death
shrek of foeman, and the bitter means Of
the wounded, cares nothing for the
scalding tears Of widows. and sobs Of
the orphan. what is it TO him the war
is god send and shoddy pays. All.
indeed there is too much shoddy
every where about US. Striving rs ii
were in the very energies of desperation
against this gigantic rebellion. the like
of which history has never recorded, at
a time when if ever we should be calm
and temperate. frugal and economical,
we are carried away by the glare and
glitter which wealth throws around its
votaries. And in the apparent prosperi.
ty which has followed the vast addition
to our circulating medium we seem 10
have ran money mad, and are eating,
drinking, dancing and worshipping
shoddy. while the terrible volcano OF
war is rageing and yometing forth de.
structon even within our doors.