Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-07-14
A Dream.

For the Bulletin
The other day, thinking over the pros
pect of q Democratic success or defeat
this coming fall, and becoming somewhat
nervous over it-for on it depends my sue
cess and future drinks-I fell asleep in
my chair and had the following dream, as
near as can remember:
Nethought l had, after much search,
found my political PARADISE "Cross
Roads" in Iowa: place where they
"chalked down" drinks, and place where
my talents and experience were needed
and would be appreciated in social and
civil matters. took all this in at a
glance, and that here were the homes of
true Democrats. / saw all around me
signs of retrenchment-no church, no
school house, no nice buildings, and the
inhabitants, of both sexes, shoeless and
unextravagant in their clothes and general
appearance. There was saloon, in which
there was barrel marked whisky" a
decanter and two tin cups, wooden
bench, on which two prominent citizens
lay recuperating, and three-legged chair.
Most of the citizens were gathered at the
grocery to see q dog fight, which dog
fight. or some other, learned, was a gen.
eral amusement.
/ introduced myself to the ladies and
gentlemen there gathered, and after taking
two or three cups of ''liker" to cool off
my perspiring brow, found myself at
home and in familiar conversation with
the citizens. remarked that 81 saw too
many evidences to entertain single doubt
but / had found happy people in the
full enjoyment of those essentials that
give Democratic success, place that
had not been cursed by the odious princi-
pies Of initiation and extravaganza of the
black Republican party" THAT is so,
stranger" replies one, land as you appear
to be smart, l propose that you settle
down among us and marry one Of our
gals" At that they all responded, "(hic(
hurrah!" so felt myself very comforta
bly, settled among friends.
As the people usually spend their even
ings ut the saloon, and it being soon after
our nominating convention at st. Louis,
l concluded to address them upon the po-
litical issues of the day. The hour ar
rived and the citizens were all present
After drinking all around, and dog fight
was over, proposed that they appoint a
chairman, and to give character to the
meeting, that they also appoint some off,
cer-a Major, a Captain or Squire; but
l was told they had none such. AS Dem
ocrats they were all on a dead level and
were opposed to squandering the peoples
money on officials. "Then," says l, Ito
sustain Democratic dignity, we must
give official title to several Individuals
The suggestion took, and the organization
was completed by having deacon in the
chair and major for scribe. After
taking another drink and wiping off the
moisture from my already perspiring
brow, and leaning against the side OF the
building to support my tottering frame, l
said Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
men:-I am made exquisitely happy in
the opportunity of meeting you Oh this
occasion. Your looks tell me that am
to speak TO no insignificant portion of our
intelligent Democracy, and to those who
can appreciate what say. | then assur-
ed them of our triumphant success the
coming fall. "Reform" will be the watch
word for the campaign, and the move
ment of the people will be tremendous
after their long and patient waiting for
the spoils The good work will 60 on
until the 'ides of November Tilden
with his millions-no matter how he got
them-will give his friends all they can
drink on service days, and If we elect
him and can prove ourselves competent
thieves, he will give us all Office. Then
I closed up my speech by telling them
some things we would reform when we
had the power
First and foremost, assured them, we
would reform the Constitution. For the
permanency of our federal Union depends
on "our devotion 10 the Constitution of
the United States with its amendments
Reformed. When we get the power, We
within the language of the Democracy
of Ohio-"use the power to smash the
Congo dynasty; clean up the statute
books by sending away the whole chapter
of black Republican legislation; replace
the white man in his place of power and
supremacy, and remove the Negro to his
proper position of subordination." So l
cxpatiated upon the great and onerous
work that was on our hands. In the Ian
guage Of our great and recent platform,
it was reform, reform, reform. Reform
this and that, and nothing in particular;
but adopting the action of our Democrat
ic Congress, mako great ado about re-
form; and to give the true and patriotic
men Of our country, who fought and
bled to preserve white mans govern
ment, front seat. closed, much ex.
hausted. Squire Brown said he had only
one word, and that for the Liberals. He
promised that they should be found IN the
front in the coming fight They want re-
form and relief, so that they can share IN
some of the offices.
thought then proposed to give three
rousing cheers for Tilden and Reform,
and washed 1t down with three drinks all
around. The first was given with great
power, the dogs united in the chorus. At
that, my wife thought l was sleeping too
hard, and woke me up. =.
Walker, June %, 1875,