Martinsburg Gazette

From the Hagerstown Torchlight

COONS.

Much ado is made by our Loco Foco brethren, upon this, to them, most annoying subject. It seems that they cannot be brought to understand the philosophy of Coons; as they are upon all occasions, found stirring up those animals, and inciting them to the use of their claws and teeth, and to the exhibition of many unamiable qualities. If these animals were not subjected to the constant clamor which has been raised against them, they would long since, have been buried in the oblivion of their dens—but, like the mass of that far nobler race of animals, mankind, they love attention, and seek notoriety wherever it is to be found; and rather than sink into silent obscurity, they smile at the gibes and scorns that are heaped upon them, by those to whom they are an eye-sore, so long as their ears are greeted with the approving shout of a single wag. Like salt in a dish of soup, an after-dinner in a dry history, or a tin cup to a dog's tail, they destroy insipidity, serve to break the dull monotony of an election campaign, and add a high relish to a politico-statistical argument of five hours' duration;—and besides, they are perfectly harmless when chained—(more than can be said of some of their deadliest enemies. The following squib, from the Baltimore Patriot, shows them off in their true light:

"The Same Old Coons.—These distinguished strangers, from Allegany, recently made a visit to the Baltimore Museum, and after viewing the various natural and artificial curiosities, were so much pleased, that, on invitation of the proprietor, Mr. Peale, they have determined to take up their abode in that establishment, where, as we are officially informed, they will be happy to receive the visits of their numerous friends. They are in excellent keeping and admirable spirits."

Seeing so many representations of "Coons," and so much said in the papers of late respecting their tenacity to life, and their cunning and peculiar habits of living, reminds us of an occurrence that took place in our market on Sunday morning.

A good Locofoco friend of ours was making his marketing for the day, and after purchasing poultry, vegetables, &c., from a countryman, was asked to buy a pet Coon that he had tied by a string in his wagon. The reply was that he did not belong to the Coon Party."—"Then" said the countryman, "buy him, and kill him! Don't you see there will be one Coon less!"

Our neighbor inclined to the side of mercy, and as he walked away without making the purchase, we could see "that same old Coon" shaking his sides with an inward chuckle at another fortunate escape from death.—Mobile Adv.