The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-06-20
Slaughter House Johnny.

Slaughter House Johnny.
On the 10th day Of June, 1884, wretch
ed fanatic struck down William the Silent It
was a cruel blow. The effect of it was past
all human computation; and the grim old fell
low who from the sumptuous Escurial, promp-
ted the deed, congratulated himself, that he
had gotten clear Of a dangerous antagonist by
a very simple method.
This is an old way Of getting rid OF an enc
my. 1t was favorite method in the days of
the Caesars, when the purple was only splen-
did sort of winding sheet. Emperors, Kings
and Presidents stand In danger sometimes of
assassination; and indeed, are now and then
laid low by the hand of some crazy enthu-
siast; a BALTHAzAE GERARD, an OasINI, a
Booth, or dreamer like BLIND. Even lesser
personages are now and then taken Off The
ambition of Lady MACBETH is rarer emotion
than private malevolenoe, political enthusi-
assn, or partisan rage. For have we not
heard how the immortal BENJAMIN WADE,
commonly called BEN, in low and vulgar
manner, was cruelty set upon by mystic
rious man in gray, who hourished before the
eyes of the immortal BEN, blood thirsty
looking Jack Knife? Do we all not remem-
Der how the aforesaid BENJAMIN, with rare
self-possession and daring courage, drew CT
bis revolver, and grimly defiant dor.e-
al he
gust presence? Do we not, also, read the
fact, that ths mysterious unknown came out
in letter, which was published il all the pa
pers to say, that the whole thing was A.
romance, and that the facts stated by BEN
and the Washington Chronicle, were no bet
ter than-fctions?
Then, too some grim and diabolical per-
son, or persons. instigated by the devil, and
not having the fear of God before their eyes,
sent to the classic CHARLES SUMNER a neat
little box from some devilish "Mr VENUS"
containing, so the story ran, human finger,
with one or two lines more energetic than
mplimentary. Then a great shudder ran
through the letters of special correspondents,
and it was darkly intimated that there was
something more dangerous in store for the
learned SUMNER than gutta percha. The
Washington undertakers saw visions of sump-
tuous funerals; the penny-a-line-Grub-
fraternity crammed biographies Of BENJAM1N
and CHARLES, and did neat obituary notices
of these distinguished patriots, in advance, to
emulate the London Times, which, it is I'M
derstood, had fine paper on the death of the
IRON DUKE in readiness for many years, wait
ing for that illustrious person to depart this
life. But BEN still survives, to call with pro-
fame energy upon the name of the Almighty
in bis fiery discourses; and CHARLES still lives,
to read from his corpulent scrap book to the
Senate, and do an occasional paper, more am
bilious than accurate, for the pages of the At
lantc Monthly. These hints have not been
lost on SLAgaHTER-HoUsE JoHNNY-other-
wise underwood. 4
This luminary of MAYos Guide has with
out doubt, studied the paragraphs in the
Washington Chronicle, wherein the perils
which we're supposed to attend his masters
were set forth, in paragraphs which bristled
with capitals, as porcupine does with quilts
He became enamored of their fame. He
forthwith exploded into telegraphic dispatch
es, telling of an attempt on his life,
which ran with electric speed through the
whole country. But, the story was received
with remarkable GOODNESS. The poor trick,
to enable the poor little man to read the poor
little obituary, which he fancied would be
written over his poor little carcass, was fat
failure. Nobody believed it. SLAUGHTER
House JOHNNY couldn't persuade people that
be was worth assassinating. His insignif-
canoe protects him from all bodily harm. he
crawls on the judicial ermine, just as that
loathsome little thing did on the bonnet which
BURNS saw in Church, and nobody dreams
of cracking him. We leave him safe in bis
ignominy +"0"
Creeping, blasted wonner,
. pstested, Stunned by saint an sinner"
Hsis beneath the Vengeance, even Of a
thumb nail.