The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-04-09
From the Cam1idqe, Nd. cnonieal.
Something for Reformcra,

A friend at our elbow tells Us there is ru-
NOR current that the little batch Of socaIled
'tReformers' in this county will call a conven-
ton during the summer and put out a ticket.
While wondering over the result of such ID
movement the following fable is called to our
mind:
"Once upon a time there was general as
semblage of fowls and animals, called together
to discuss the question of reform. The IL
ger shed tears over the wickeduess of the
/ Rabbits. the Hyena wept at the rapacity of
the Vultures, and the Wild Cat pressed his
paws to his aching heart and sighed over the
villainies perpetrated by the Rats and Nice.
A venerable old Coon was made chairman of
the meeting and after clearing his voice he
began:
We are drifting down to perdition at race
horse speed. Speak, brothers, speak, aud let
US have a full aud frank expression"
Il am for REFORM said the Tiger, as he
rose up. Il see the Coons out every night,
/ stealing corn and raising old Ned generally,
and | hope they may be brought to see the
/ error of their ways"
Reform is my watchword, began the
Buffalo as he secured the floor, ''and hope
the Tigers will commence the good work in
/ their midst. The Tiger who just addressed
you has the blood of my slam calf still on his
. laps"
at is my opinion" began veteran old
Hyena, that reform is most needed among
the Nultures. They have become SO bold
/ that hardly stand show nowadays to find Il
carcass for myself.
"Aud sisce men havetakento carrying guns
aud swords hesitate TO attack them, said a
Wolf. II move you, Mr.. Chairman, that it
Is the sense Of this meeting that men no long
er go armed.
''Hear what [ have to say" pleaded the
Wild Cat. Il move that the Panther be
eeusured for eating flesh.
And my friend, the Cow, should be forced
toilet grass alone, observed an Elephant
"In order to get the sense of the meeting |
move that We no longer eat flesh, observed
a Deer.
Il move 10 amend by substituting the word
grass, promptly responded Wolf
Amendments and resolutions were coming
I in like the Pacific Express, when the old Coon
in the chair called for order and said:
My friends, let Us begin our reform by
rostiug out the Serpents.'
NO! no, protested Fox; Il lease my
cave 10 a family OF ~erpentS at excellent cash
figures Let's drive the Worms out of the
country.
But we feed on Worms, chirped a hun
dred Birds Drive them CAT and We
siaryci
Thus they continued, each enc anxious to
preserve whatever Was good tor himself and
sacrifice whatever WAS good for his neEhboF,
until the Coon cug the discussion short by
saying:
Order, Order, Now, then. any bird or fowl
abo is wiiiiug to beHa this reform campaign
by sacrificing personal gains please stand up.
Everything continued to SIT
"Wffi. then. Euv one willing 90 begin the
reform al home asd under his own hat please
stand ap. No one stood uP.
81 shiuk We have bitten eff more than Ne
can ckcw, said The Coon, a. he laid down
his gavei. This is cry wicked world, and
'Here Is great need Of reform. bat when II
gers sel out 70 reform Hyenas, Wild Cats fud
fault with the doin.s OF Wolves, It's time 10
dismiss The aseetiag.
MORAL
Charity ma, begin next door, bat reform
should commence at home.