The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-06
Holy Names Irreverently Treated An
COngress--.With an Application of
Tom Hoods Lines and one of his
Stories.
,dence of the Buffalo Courier.

Corres espondence of the Buffalo Courier
WASHINGTON April 16, 1864
The frequent use of holy names in the de-
bates of the House-literally taking them in
van-is marked characteristic of the session.
Almost every one who made speech in the
recent debate used them. Some members used
them with reverence and sincere conviction,
but with many-whO wore the livery of heaven
for evil purpOses-they were malignant BIAS
phemies, as they always must be when united
with any other predOminating sentiments than
those of Peace on earth, goodwill to men,"
{" A man may cry Chur ch! urch at every word,
With no more piety than other people
A davis not reckOned religious bird
Because it keeps a-cawing from a steep!e.
The emple is good, holy place,
Rut quackery only gives it an i'll sayOr
While sanity mountebanks the porch disgrace,
And bring Religions self into disfauor r.
Hood wrote many lines which, though meant
for milder vices and more quiet times, are full
of meaning in application to our own. Take
for instance the argument embodied IN the fol-
lowing, from one of his best and most signi-
cant pieces, where he says:
ssIf their offence be rank should mine be rancor.
Mild light and by DEGREES should be the pan
10 ease the dark and errng mind;
But who yoult rush at a benighted man.
And gire hin, tco black eyes for being blind
Or again. changing the local allusion only
s'The broad distinction in line to draw,
AS meant 10 lcaQ us 10 Lne SKIES ABOVE.
You say-Our party and its love of law;
And 1.-The Sauionr NTH his la,o of Ioue.'
How strange it is while on a vital questions,
That occupy the House and public mind.
We always meet with some humane suggestions
OF gentle measures of healing kind,
Instead of harsh severity and vigor,
The Saint alone his preference retains,
For bills of penalties and pains [c0niscation?,
And marks his narrow code with legal riger.
Why shun as worthless of affiliatiOn
What men of all political persuasion
Extol-and even use upon OCCASION
That Christian principle Of cancellation:
Hood thinks some men possibly attach ano-
ther meaning to the term, and illustrates this
view Ofthe case much in the same way as Mr..
Lincoln did when he was regarding the faults
of others, who he said were driving men like
bullocks to the slaughter pen. Hood express
ses similar figure more fancifully, and says he
once halted awhile like other folks, to see
killing butcher coax score of lambs and
sheep to slaughter:
''Fierce barked the dog, and many blow was dealt
That loin, and chump and crag and saddle felt;
Yet still, that fatal step they all declined it,
And Stunned the tainted odor as if they smet
Onions mint-sauce and lemon juice behind it.
At last here came pause of brutal force;
The cur was silent for his jaws were full
OF tangled locks of tarry wool
The man had whoopd and hollow'd till deadhOa
The time was ripe for mild expostulatiOn,
And thus it stammered from stander-by-
'Zounds my good felow-it quite make, newly
1t reay-my dear teOw-do just try
COnciliatiOn!'
ssStringing his nerves like flint,
The sturdy butcher seized upon the hint
at least he seized upon the foremost wether,--
And hug 3D. and lugged, and tugged him neck and
Cr p,
Just mose,'s uolens through the open shop
If tails came off he didn't care feather
Then walking to the door and smiiDg grim,
He rubbed his forehead and his sleeve together
There! I've conciliated him."
ERIE.