Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-10-16
Shooting Niagara.
THE CRY OF 'BosH." ''LET HER DRIFT.

THE CRY OF 'sBosH." f'LET HER DRIFT
As there is natural, so there is politi
cal Niagara. In the Niagara river, some
miles above the Falls, the water is calm,
and boats can ride it in safety and repose
upon its bosom as idly as ''painted ship
on painted ocean, A short distance be-
low is the head of the rapids; then, for a
few miles, the torrential rapids in their
dashing fury; then the Falls; and then, a
few miles below, the death-engulfng whirl-
pool.
A party of men, who have been riding in
boat on the calm and peaceful waters,
unconscious, seemingly, of danger, are get
ting near the head of the rapids, and we
call to them, warning them of the peril of
going nearer to the rapids, telling them they
are endangering their lives, but they heed
not our warning, and recklessly and mock
ingly reply-"Thats all bosh-there is no
danger"
There is yet time for them to save
themselves, but they make no effort to do
so, for they see and fear no danger, and in
short time their boat enters the head of
the rapids, where it is no longer within their
control, and it is drawn into the sweeping
rapids, and passes over the Falls, and then
down the stream until it reaches the,whirl-
pool, where it is engulfed and is seen no
more, and all the party is lost for want of
needing a wise and friendly warning.
We see on the political Niagara party
who are steering the ship of State from the
peaceful calm towards the head of the
rapids-mixed school-boards-an we call
to them, and warn them, in the most i'm
ploring manner of the danger-telIng them
that if they proceed any farther in that
fatal direction, they will enter the head of
the rapids-mixed school boards-then the
surging and irresistible rapids-mixed
schools-then shoot over the Falls-mixed
marriages then, finally, be engulfed
in the whirlpool negro equality
and some, ignorant of the danger, soothing
ly reply:-"That's all bosA-there S no dan
ger;'' and some, reckless of the consequences,
otJ, 1lho OOls w H. DlulS, VI IIGSy lNduld
county, "If the ship is drifting to the rapids,
let her drift"
Every voter is one of the crew of the Ship
of State, and his wife and children are pas
sengers. The control of the ship is in the
hands of the crew, who will decide whether
it shall be retained where the wateris calm,
and where the lives of all are safe, or wheth-
er it shall be steered towards the head of
the rapids. which, if entered, will ruthless
ly and almost inevitably sweep it to destruc-
ton. The crew is divided in purpose and
opinion. A vote will be taken to ascertain
whether the majority is composed of those
who are conservative and wish to remain
where all is safe, and who would "rather
bear the ills they have, than fly to others
they know of, or of the more recklessly
progreSsiUe, who, scouting at danger and
tempting destruction, are eager to get into
swifter, though more perilous, water.
Fellow crewsmen, what do you say? VIII
You vote to keep the ship where it is safe,
or will you vote to venture the dangers Of
the rapids? Win you avoid the danger, OF
will you say, "There is no danger-that'
all bosh; let her drift"