Transcribed from:  The Ohio Statesman    Date: 1844

Whiggery Shrinking from Discussion

Coons Dread the Light

Lewisburg, Preble Co, O. May 20, 1844

Col Medary – Sir:

            Permit us to tell you that the democracy are wide awake in this section of Ohio; and never, in the recollection of the oldest settlers, have the prospects been as encouraging to the democrats in debate; even the notorious whig champion of absquatulating memory, Sevier Hawkins, has retired, like Mr. Clay, to the shades of oblivion.  They have been challenged to meet the debate; not only once, but at any and all times, was an opportunity given them, in the clubs formed in this section of Ohio, by the democrats; and in every instance have the whigs, or, more properly speaking, the coons, backed out, that is, they craw fished, and failed even to give the democrats a sight of a coon skin.  Now it is our opinion that this should be known, not only here, but everywhere among our democratic brethren.

            We now propose giving you a short history of an affair that took place in one of the clubs formed by the democrats in this county, (Twin township.)

            A proposition was made, by the Hickory Club of Twin township, to the whigs, to bring out their big guns and meet the Club in debate on the 18th of May last, or for ever after hold their peace, which, at that time, was accepted by one of the invincible members of the Clay Club. – Well, the 18th arrived, and a beautiful day it was.  The democrats assembled from all parts of the county, expecting, judging from the boasting of the coons heretofore, that all the coon varmints would be present on the occasion.  But alas!  To their astonishment, the critters crawfished, and, with the exception of a few grinning coons who had heretofore taken an active part in federal politics, none appeared, and the field was left entirely to the democrats.  And let it be understood, that a great effort was made by the federalists to get their orators out, but it was an entire failure.  Messrs. Hawkins, Marsh, and Thomson, and even Charles Anderson were applied to, and solicited to attend the discussion, by the whigs of the township, but all declined.  Mr. Hawkins, of absquatulating memory, excused himself on account of a severe cold, but accepted an invitation to address a coon meeting on the same day.  Thus it will be seen that the whigs are not very anxious to discuss politics before the freemen of the country.  The scales are fast falling from the eyes of the people, and the aristocrats are driven to the wall in shame with their federal doctrines.