It is
apparently formed of an almost transparent jelly, colorless,
almost indistinguishable from the water which surrounds it,
armed with long slender limbs, numerous as the feet of the
centipede, and strong in their grasp as hands of iron. The
bather in those waters habitually provides himself with a
long keen blade, which, when he finds himself encountered
by one of these monsters, he elevates above his head in his
extended right hand. As the creature approaches, the bather
feels himself slowly enveloped in the powerful limbs which
twine about him, holding him in their iron grasp. Suddenly
a head appears, and drawing itself nearer the animal seeks
to fasten its mouth upon the lips of the victim and deprive
him of life. At this moment the bather strikes with his knife
into the head of the monster. Instantly the limbs relax their
hold, the hideous creature slowly disappears, and the bather
is left unharmed and safe. Our Republic finds itself to-
day assailed by a monster as dangerous, unpalpable, soft,
horrible but strong--strong as hands of iron. The limbs of
this monster of Corruption have seized upon our noble Republic,
but at last there is a head coming in sight, and I think the
Republicans of Massachusetts are able to bear the knife and
strike the blow which will destroy its horrible life so that
it shall fall powerless forever!"
That closed the discussion so far as we were concerned for
that campaign.
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