University of Virginia Library


112

CHICAGO NEWSPAPER LIFE.

It pleases us to observe that the shocking habit of hurling opprobrious epithets at each other has been abandoned by the venerable editor of the Journal and the venerable editor of the Tribune. At this moment we are reminded of the inspired lines of the eminent but now, alas! neglected Watts:

“Birds in their nests agree,
And 'tis a shocking sight
When folks, who should harmonious be,
Fall out and chide and fight.
“The tones of Andy and of Joe
Should join in friendly games—
Not be debased to vice so low
As that of calling names.
“Bad names and naughty names require
To be chastized at school,
But he's in danger of hell-fire
Who talks of ‘crank’ and ‘fool.’

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“Oh 'tis a dreadful thing to see
The old folks smite and jaw,
But pleasant it is to agree
On the election law.
“Let Joe and Andy leave their wrongs
For sinners to contest;
So shall they some time swell the songs
Of Israel's ransomed blest.”