The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1907-02-21
THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURES
AND THE OPOSSUM.

Legislature from the deadly claws of
the rabbit. We did more than that +;
IN pointing that particular eloquent
and all-wise body towards the path
away from the influence Of that most
dreaded varmint Of the forest we laid
the foundation for what Is now a
powerful organization, namely The
Society for the determination Of the
Rabbit. The functions Of this organ
ization are not confined wholly to de-
stroying the double-clawed monster
Of the pines, but deals with the
brides he has assidiously offered leg
islators and royal hunters, and hunt
ers who would be royal, thereby cor
rupting the morals Of the state, and
the manners Of the people. The rab-
bit, we said, say we, must 90, for he
alone, we thought, possessed, in Wv
airy to the heather man with the
cue, ways that are dark and tricks
that are vain. In this particular, al
low us to call the attention OF our
year n delegation Of rabbits, the worst
kind, walked, arm In arm. boldly
through the corridors Of the state
capitol OF Georgia, thence into the
senate chamber, and there defied
Clark Howell, we despatched Hoke
Smith, our most urgent congratula-
tons, for we then knew Clark How
ell was evil-minded. The rabbit Is
never brave with those who love the
Lord The rabbit Is wise in his gen =
Grafton; he is astute; his bravery Is
not altogether the kind we would in
still In the hearts and heads Of the
youngsters who go out in the forest
and seek him with the stick, and
plain hound dogs. When the rabbit
attacks one In the open our suspic-
ions are aroused; we begin to search
the records; the instincts Of the rab-
bit arg as true as the needle to the
poles
We find ourselves today in new
dilemma. Instead Of the rabbit, we
nave the o'posSum standing in the
aisles, sitting in the 1main seats of
the Alabama Legislature, and sending
threatening letters to Governor
jerks, in which he makes bold to
proclaim his influence with the legis-
lators. Only last week q delegation
OF them arose as one man, and urged
their claims for immediate consider
alton against such hostile laws as
nave been enacted against the rab-
bit, speaking out that they would
D0th set the nine big gods against
luskegee in the investigation. and
the moon against the sweet potato
crop unless assurances against the
treatment received all through Ma
con county were immediate and full,
not Keeling, but just full. The dele
cation also assured the member
from Macon county that it purposed
TO stand against Booker Washington
as long as Washington stood out
against the delegation. 1t seems
that the educator has entirely over
looked the o'possum in the invitation
to the animals that have visited Tus-
kegee. Long ago all fowls rose up
against the institute. But the
o'possum troubles us. He IS dam
gerouS, and he must be exterminat-
ed. There are two ways to rid the
Alabama legislature Of him one Is TO
arm Mr.. Roosevelt with a gun and
send him through those counties
where he largely inhabits: the other
Is to bride him. Yes, bride him
Promise him an annuity; and further
promise him that when he lays hot
IN death, mOurners sitting round,
across his breast vans yellow and
fat, sufficiently creased, will be his
decoration. We saved the state from
the rabbit. May we not save it from
the O'Dossum?
IT there be any other word neces-
sarN to assure the o'possum, and win
MIN over to good government, we
promise him, that instead Of the rab-
"lo s hind leg, cut in graveyard on
dark, dark night, we will pin his
front paw on the left suspender OF
the Hon. Nathan Bay Scott, when he
goes into the next meeting Of the re-
publican national committee. This
ought TO fetch him. Howboit, we are
prepared now to make no further
promises nor concessions. We have
SAID enough; in the language Of
James II. Campbell, the oracle Of the
Nsnawha civilization must be pre-
served, and the o'possum must be
suhjugated.