Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1840-07-09
TO THE PUBLIC.

papful duty than that whichno" aevo'Ses upon me
Il i. the first time, in editorial career. extending
,h,oueb a period Of more than fifteen years. that
have been compelled thus TO defend my personal
h,,,c,ey from ruthless and wanton assault. and TO
,e,ei impu,atons upon my veracly which the wri-
,..t,ew ~ be false when he penned them. But
have no alternative left. My position, as mem
he, Of Church, would restrain me, on ordinary
casious, from committing personal violence on any
man. except in self defence. The age and bodily in
6,mities of my assailau in this controversy however,
even had not been thus restrained, would furnish
.suficient rcascn foi and justification of my for
bearsnce. He may, indeed, claim exemption
from personal responsibility this account but,
whatever may be his feelings. they would prevent
the prejudicia impression which would be indusrr-
ously made upon the public mind had personally
assaulted him. Thus much TO account for this
publication. | now proceed TO the narrative.
la last Thursdays "Lynchburg Republican"
there appeared, the signature of "A LOCKER
o." an attack upon me personally, of. the most
'.maignant" misunderstanding me with publish
ing falsehoods systematically and knoeingiy, for the
purpose of deceiving and misleading the public
And TO give emphasis 10 this caumny, which re-
peat was known to be calumny wheDit was pen
ned and published the charge, after extending
through several specifications, was again repeated in
the broadest and most comprehensive terms Vefy
well aware that this attack was only an open man
Hesitation ola secret purpose 10 PROSTATE ne n can
be done-frst, by assassiua,ng my character, if
will silently and ,ameiy submit TO be slandered OF
mex, BY assassinatpg me, if raise my voice
in defence o(my repula,ion,-I determined, on first
IL a nd nh ba 81.
contempt which had before extended both To him
and to his spoken as well as written abuse. But a(-
ter mature deliberations, l came TO the conclusion
that it was time to change my course, as shall
hereafter do, and if need be, carry the into the
enemy's camp. |, too, will have Gallery of Por
traits and though possess but litle skill as paint
er, 1t shall go hard if do not make my DeritS Look
al least as black theirs. tell my assaants,
and all, and once for ALL that they have overrated
their prowess well as underraled my sensbll-
iiy, il my past course of silence under personal at
tacks has induced them TO believe that they may
60 with impunity. have no objection TO any
comments on my conduct as an Editor or as a Dele
gate. In both Of those characters Tam fair game ;
nor do care how searching may be the scrutiny n
TO my in either capacity, OF how may be
the criticisms or how harsh the donunciations of
those by whom those acts may be disapproved.-
Any man has unqutStiontd right thus To animad
vert upon my course aud the only restraints to
which this light ought 10 be subjected are those
which every gentleman finds in his bosom, aud
to which all who have any seli.tespect. or deserve
the respect Of others, will voluntarily appeal-re
franin from injustice, or being ready repair
injuries when indicted under temporary excitement
But when my ASSISTANTS step beyond THIS point shall
show then that am not less man because am an
Editor, and that they not than men because
they are engaged in other avoca,ions.
Having thus determined, | called, on Friday
morning, one of the Editors OF the Republican
for the name oft author of"A LOCKER o." leav-
Ing my subsequent course TO be regulated by cir
cumstances. In the afternoon of that day the name
of Micajah Daris Jr was given up to me. Where
upon, anxious, as have ever been, 10 prevent, not
only personal alteration, but 10 allay all bad feel
ing, addressed him, through the agency Of a mutu-
al friend, the following note
FRIDAY EVENING, July 3, 1910.
Sir-l have Just received, from Mes.rs Cawthon
4 Dewitt, note, in answer 10 verbal application
made 10 the latter gentleman this morning, stating
that you are the author of "A LOCKER On in the
Republican Of yesterday, in which my personal We
raciiy is impugned.
| hope that subsequent RI Election will have salts
fed you, that, whatever may be your opinion OF my
claim to credbilty-and | shall cemI lain Of
lbat-you have done me in Justice in the positive and
public declaration that have Systematically aud will
\Ny published falsehoods in the Virginiau and, If
you are satisfied Of this, that you viii make such
paraiion as your own sense OF justice and ptoprety
shall dctate-such reparaton, as. with out positions
reversed, you would ask, ard be entitled receive Of
me. ! expect this with the more confidence, be-
cause there are considerations peculiar TO each OF
us, and the force OF which | confess most sensl-
bly, feel, which induce me 10 deprecate the perpeu
alton of angry feelings and unnecessary excitement,
growing exclusively out Of adverse political senll-
notwithstanding, as they necessarily do, TO opposite
Conclusions even from the same lacts.s
While confess that my feelings have been deep
ly excited, have endeayored TO make this appca-
lion a spirit of calmness and concialion aud
conclude with the expression OF desire that II may
be met in similar spirit by yourself.
Respectfully, X. II. TOLER.
To Mcojdh DauS, Jr. Esq.
To this note received no answer from Mr. Da-
vies until late in the afternoon of Monday-nearly a
three days struggle, presume, between his pride
and his sense Of what due justice. to me, and
TO himseLE-when our mutual friend, C. L. M osby,
Esq. who had borne him my note, handed me the
following, which was dated
Monday morning, july 6.
Sr-Your iote respecting article in the Re-
publican, under the signature Of A LOCKER On, was
received from Mr. Mosby on Friday night.
II can be convinced that ! have done you
/ pleas ed IN hee emf