Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-02-07
Protect the Skunk.
DAWSON, w. VA,

Ed"0r Green6rier Independent:
am much pleased to see in your
able journal the skunk question ia.
ken up for discussion. 1t is q pungent
one, and is sure to elicit some fra
grant ideas. ] have always admired
the beautiful little animal, ever ready
to defend itself whenever aud wher-
ever assailed. Apart from its use
from an agricultural standpoint, il
has qualities which, when fairly and
lmpartialIy considered, cannot fail to
make il a favorite. Nature has en-.
dowed the skunk with inexhaustibIe
resources, all plentifully supplied
from :nc one great source.
1t is, we are informed, a magniti-
cent NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., and for
this the farmers are in love with il.
But the perfumed fluid, which the
skunk can so literally Distribute, is
destroyer Of disease germs and of
all kinds of death-breeding bacilli.
The pungent aroma is a nerve tonic
when plentifully inhaled, and has a
fine effect on weak lungs, failing
hearts and sloveHly pipty. Ask the
question, What objection have YOU
to the skunk ?" and tnany will an
swer, " Its breath is so offensive. ~
This is arrant nonsense. The smell
! of mans breath, overladen with
bad tobacco and worse whiskey, is a
hundred times worse. Would you
kill the man because of such foul
breath Assuredly not, therefore
spare the skunk. Ramps, so very
much liked in some parts of the
country, have stronger aud louder
smell than the skunk. If we were
more accustomed to our seen ,.sprink-
ling little animal we would ne more
tolerant Of it.
Selfishness has much to do with
the question. The skunk fluid, chem
ically prepared, makes a very fine
cosmetic, and many of our ladies
could be induced to patronize the
skunk, only that his death is neces-
sary to give freshness and color to
ladies' faces. Many of our profess
sional skunk-killers can tolerate any
quantity of bedbug fragrance but the
smell Of the skunk they cannot en-
dure. Nervous debility is national
curse among us, particularly among
our heightened aristocratic females.
Just let such people take a dose of
skmkipOlo six times day, and be-
fore a month goes by they will be fit
to join an Ammonium brigade and
fight like tigers.
Less Objectionable than the skunk
is the local pettifogger, who sets
neighbor against neighbor, magnify
ing harmless differences to the most
serious offences, that he may have an
opportunity to display stupid oratory
and pocket five dollar fee. Is not
the skunk an angel when compared
with the pestilent, professional poll
tician, who always carries mass of
fictitious votes in his pocket and rep
resents himself to his masters as u
gentleman of great importance
Would any decent man have the
heartless audacity to discard the
skunk and tolerate the dude? Is the
skunk more offensive to educated
taste than the soulless fanatic, who,
in the name of religion and patriot
ism, tramples under foot blessed
charity, and in defiance of every
thing near and dear to the American
citizen tries to wipe out from the
Constitution Liberty of con-
sciences"
Some of our Republican friends
are not in favor of skunk legislation
just now. One very prominent poll
tician among us, Republican to the
backbone, says that if skunk law
is passed by Republican Legisla-
ture, the name Skunk will be attached
to the party. How are you,
Skunk ?" "Are you going to vote,
Skunk" would be forever heard on
every political occasion. But | am
in favor of useful, decent little
animal being protected.
RUFUS.