The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-12-26

McGREGOR, DEC. 26, 1866.
Vortex
We roferred last week to the excitement
produced here by the letters Of ''Vortex,
tho McGrcgor correspondent Of the Win
neshick Register. Tho Register was il
great demand. Persons usually read cen
sure or satire with good deal of appetite
and in this case the rule was well lived ny
to. For two or three days there was fur
alive. Many of our readers may want t.
sec how one Republican can write abou,
pair Of the brethren, and we give por,
ton Of each Of the letters in the Register
The FIRST extract is SO extravagant as to be
almost harmless. As before remarked il
is not our fight, and gentlemen can pitch in
to their hearts content:
The Dubuque Times, is playing off Sc
we're joke on the people Of Northern
Iowa, in announcing Col. Sam. Merrill, OF
this city, as its candidate for Governor Of
Iowa.
The Ncrs, of this place, the Lansing
Mirror, the Clermont Leader and Joes lit
tie gimblet. of Elkader, all catch at the
fiimsey bait, and belabor the Col. in such
manner, that il the man ever had in his
life particle of modesty his cheeks must
burn, but he has not and consequently his
corporosity will expand in proportion to the
fulsome praise these toadics gave him.
Take Sam. Merrilrs money away from
him and not one of these men would sup
port him for township constable, nor would
he be known beyond the confines of the
county in which he resides, NOR do even
think the township. Yot because Col. Mer-
rill has money he is a marvellous proper
man for Governor of Iowa.
Much has boon written and said against
Bill Stone by some of these same persons,
yot Bill Stones shadow if covered all over
with stolen greenbacks would give the Office
responsibility in comparison with this can.
didatc of mammon. Oh, marvellous man,
did you ever read the fable of the jackass
that put on the lions skin (? If you have,
please reeollect that the gentleman was dis
covered by his ears.
Col. Merrill, a man whose word is as
good as Uncle Sans 5-2O's! Give me the
5-a0's every time and by all odds. Col.
Merrills note is good and that is more than
can say Of my own, for he is rich and
am poor, but I would not give my word for
his even any day. / have put reliance in
his word once or twice and as often been
deceived. If had his word for ten thou
sand dollars and had no legal claim beyond
his word would sell it for cents on the
dollar and take my pay in Confederate cur
rcncy at par and give my jack-knife to
boot.
Col. Merrill is great and successful f.
aancier, says the Dubuque Times. All, in
Heed, Mr.. Times, from where did you get
your information? Col. Merrill has broth
er connected with him in business who is
10th fnancier and a gentleman-a man
whose word is as good as his bond, and
who, if named or elected for Governor,
would honor the Office, and to him think
Col. Merrill will have to acknowledge is he
more indebted for his financial prosperity
than any management or conception OF his
own.
Here is an extract from the second let
ter Of Vortex" dated subsequently to
the other, but both letters appearing in the
same issue. This extract is particularly
severe on both our military men. The re-
marks relative to commissioned patriots
will apply to other places and to other per-
sons than McGregor or the parties named.
We would not be allowed to insinuate that
money and not love of country carried Eve
s!Sths Of the epaulettes into the army, but
it comes so much better from Loyal"
writer than it would from copperhead"
that we sciN not so insinuatc!
As the Neacs in its last issue treats
" Vortex with provoking silence, and as
Vortex" is one of our best writer's, an
old editor and one of the lifetime citizens
Of the county, we deem it no more than
courtesy to give his writings show in the
city of his residence. Hence, here is the
extract:
Major Drummond is hard at work in the
laudable business of making man of Sam
Merrill. The fulsome praise that is being
bestowed upon the fellow may have ten
dency to dignity him. But l am afraid
they have got hold of hard stick to shape
into sufficient dignity to make governor
out of.
The major and Colonel will not deny
their acknowledgement military titles
have been playing for two or three years
past at the very interesting game, to them.
selves, Of you tickle me and I'll tickle you.
They come the nearest to what would
term a mutual admiration society, of any.
thing have come across lately. Well, lei
them drive on their cart, but they will find
ont some day that this admiration which
il 50 excited by constant cultivation is not
catching with the people and that it is hard
work to make Governor or Congressman
out of little military glory, where there
is so much of the commodity as there is in
this country about this time. had some
thing to do with recruiting-or rather FILL
ing quotas, and if the government had at
any time called for few regiments Of Col
oncls and Majors l could have furnished
them upon very short notice. Indeed
think, McGregor, copperhead hole as she
is. would have been able to have turned
out two whole regiments and probably a
battalion over. But as no such call was
made, and as Colonelcies and Majorshipi
did not lay around loose, but rather went
by favor, these two gents were the happy
recipients and after having pocketed thu
cmoluments, now fall back upon the people
FOR their pay. Oh! how modest. STAND
back priyates, you have no claims which
white merare bound to respect, while thes,
handed officers are unpaid for their self
sacrificing and patriotic services. lik'
military glory and if ] had any wouls
rot sing of it, but would rather have som'
small boy to blow my trumpet for me. Blu
il had military fame would not squan
der it upon such small and modest Office
~ Governor and Congressman but woult
rather lay it away as an inheritance to my
children. How unfatherlY il is to use vi