Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1865-02-22
Blue GyercOats.

1t has been popular belief, that under
the Constitution and laws of the State,
every citizen was the sole judge of what he
should eat, what he should drink and
what he should wear. From recent de-
velopments Ill our midst, it would seem
that this is a mere delusion, or at least
that the privilege is to be essentially cur
tailed. The members of the Provost
Guard doing duty here, being out of ac-
tive employment owing to the great depth
OF the snow, have organized scientific
RAID upon all persons who may be so for
tunate or unfortunate, as the sequel may
prove, as to be the owner of Il military
6tue 0tercoat. The unsatisfied demands
OF ''na'l'tary necesaty,'' have caused them
TO be declared contraband not of wa,. but
OF dress. Several gentlemen from the
Fniai districts, OF undoubted loyalty, have
been relieved of their Tong tailed blues and
made to '.jun9D about and ,clecI about and
J'0aP Jim Cr0,o," within the last week.
IhIS novel and unexpected flank move
ment has created wide spread alarm and
intense excitement in this community and
a man who would now be bold enough TO
sport blue Orercoat in our streets. wouId
attract quite as much atte1tion, as Miss
Angelina without hoops, or verdant
youth with a regular Slculioc tail and di-
lapidated bell cr0Un hat The grievance
is insutierable, for it seems to us. that
II man is not gifted with any of that
ambition, that would lead him to to seek
glory at the cannon's mouth, he ought at
least to be indulged in the harmless priv
lege Of dressing like "5Old soldier b0y."
The mod"s 0perandi adopted by the guard,
Is sharp, quick and decisive and is inva-
rIably successful The cas-, of one
OF their unsuspecting victims at
tracted our especial notice. lie was
comfortably seated on a sled load of
lumber and was driving quietly down
High street he had on the fatal ssJllen
and was singing " Rally around the flag
boys" when the soldiers of the Guard
suddenly and TO his utter discontinue rail-
lied around him and with strict military
pohtoness requested him to hand over his
outer garment; declining to DO so. he
was removed from his pile of timber by a
gentle laying on of hands and his coat
changed owners. lie looked aS if he had
the Dlues or would Ike TO have them and
Judging from the peculiar expression of
his countenancc, we were at loss 10 tell
whether he would give vent to his iEdena-
ton IN curses OR in tears. His fate ex-
cited our sympathy, especially 50, as he
threatened the retreating soldiers 10 ap-
peal to the majesty Of the law for redress.
That man had evidently been induleino
In a Rip Fan Wmkle sleep for the last
four years. Presumng that the soldiers
are acting upon proper authority, the
question, "hOlC to Sare gouI. blue olegcoqt.',
Is as much mooted in this community. as
that other important question, how to
aro'd lie d'wtt" Ii is question of vast
Importance and upon its correct decision
may possibly hinge the fate of the re-
belilon. We understand that some learn
ed Ihebans, who have carefully examined
the question, have decided that if a man
gets his blue ovcrcoat colored 6ICtck. the
whole difficulty is at once solved and he
may bid defiance to "a legion of the Pro
vost Guard. We are sorry that we can
not concur in the opinion. The dyer's
art will not cut the Gordian knot 1t is
simply question Of property If A
steals a teaate hat from B and gets it col
ored black, \ can indict him and convict
him OF larcency. Our advice to the
owner of a blue overcoat is, to pla@e it
under lock and key, to wait patiently but
hopefully until '.His cruel ua5. IS ope,."
and if he is fortunate enough TO survive
1t, then TO transmit it as an heirloom to
his family.
~ Ii Is stated that the Government
mas Information, receiving through our
Consul at hondon, of the SAILING from
-+yN,,. i,.y.l,, e