The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-12-25
The Turkeys Appeal.

MIR. DuNHAM--Dear Sir 8: l appear be
fore you in tho form and likeness of n
turkey. l claim to DO an American bird
and not an invader or intruder upon this
soil. For the first time in my life | en-
ter a printing office, and that by the
compulsory hands of a white man. l
feel, dear Mr.. Durham, that my case is .
critical one and as it is Christmas Eve,
and ut such times editors and printers
are hungry for turkey gobblers. Custom
has made it common evil to our race
to be made subject to be eaten at Christ
mas dinners wedding occasions &c. My
kindred are scattered, this eve, awaiting
their fate, which, | fear, is equally criti-
cal with my own. | am poor orphan
turkey my dear pa fell a victim to the
cholera, while | was young. Ny ma
survived this dreadful epidemic. must
think, sir, that can arouse in your bo-
som some sympathy. Is there not some
tender chord about your heart that can
touch, and save the picking of my feath-
ers, and the shedding of my blood !
Promises are easier made than fulfilled
hence shall not detail many to you. In
the first place | shall give You an abridg.
ed history Of my ancestry, which, in the
event l shall be slain by your hands, will
serve as my obituary. My old master
who lives in the vicinity of Dripping
Springs, bought my pa and ma of Mr.
Campbell, in Sebastian county, on his
way from Dardanelle. In company with
him was ii young man--Clarence.
Crawford county, Arkansas, gave me
birth, and from the time picked a hole
in the egg and crawled out, my master
and mistress kept watehful eye ovei
me, and with the aid of my parents, Sc
cured me from the claws of the birds o.
prey, which were many in the country
But fortune smiled Soon | was large
enough to battle hawks who sought my
life. But then came the foxes, raccoons
possums and pole-cats. But " Judge,
old masters tavorite dog, gave us protec
ton. often fattered myself that | wal
growing up in favor with old master an,
mistress, tor | did them many tavors
But, dear sir, you know how this is
Many that you favor, turn the cold shout
der upon you, as if gratitude did no
dwell in their souls. Dear sir, l wisl
you to turn to me listening ear--hea
my entreaties. My flesh is said to b,
good for food for man but search tn
scriptures, and see if my race was OIL
exhibition, when the good old Peter be
held the sheet. Neither do / wish yol
to class me among birds that might b.
forbidden, for | am no kindred of tn
turkey. buzzard, whose calling you wei
know. Many things we are good 70
besides having our flesh devoured b,
man.
For old master" we devour tobacco
worms until our heads swim and we &c
faint. We devour many bugs and worm
which prey upon "mistress' garder
which were not very palatable. Blu
Mr.. Durham, you have often felt tn
sting Of bad treatment. not being pa
for the valuable literature that you sen
abroad, weekly, over our land. You we
know that you stand rs Waterman,
to keep free your people and libert
seems to be your theme from week t
week, and you are numbered among tn
literati. If you have liberty, and mere
dwells in your soul, give me liberty, an
| will do thee good as l did old masto
and mistress. Your doors are closed
and your windows are down | am pir
bound, or would soar far above tn
fiery darts Of wicked boys of Van Br
rem, and live a secluded life until Christ
mas was over. Why not cat ducks
Ned Lake is full of them and you wi
feel just as good after eating them a
you will turkeys. Not long since yo
had as your caption rooster hoistcd i
the attitude of growing over the demo
cratic victories. If he is such a japsrit
bird with you democratic editors, ca
him, and perhaps your spirit might pan
take of his nature, and you can NOR
cougenially crow, TURKEY.
Mr.. Turkey has come to poor plao
to put up such pittiful mouth. 70
have got into the wrong pen. 1t is nc
often we get a turn at you, but when W
do that is the end.
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