Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-09-17
G9e Staaoafo,
= R.IT1cn, SATURDAY. SEPT. z, 1853.
MTrcHELL's LETTER

DDOEESSORs M1ICHELLio LIZ AA1AS
,,loce to-day, most cheerfully, to the letter
r nsoSsssor MITCHELL of the University, IN reply 70
to orticle signed G." which we copied rom JIG
aTn,no Journal as well as to some remarks Oh our
own of the 7th instant.
W. ORC Glad DIR. Mitchell has it in his power 10
.+o+o &c he does, that he did not procure nor auth
or;vo the publication of his letters in the Mining
Journal. That he has right to go into the papers
- other States on the subject referred to- or on any
other subject which he may fit to discuss
n denv but as these letters are regarded Dy soine
&c colcuiated to diminish the confidence whlcn was
Gilt IN orr mineral resources their republication OUT
&c tho State and especially in the City OF New ork,
ond nc was insinuated by his procurement was con-
s;dered not entirely becoming or proper But tne
o.s,,r,+;on that DR. Mitchell had an agency IN their
rorubl;cation turns out to be gratutous; and we re-
beat we are glad it is So
We have taken no part in this controversy, nor do
we expect to- for the simple reason that we know lit
lie if any thing, about Mineralogy or Geology 10
use a thread-bare saying, we shall not presume 10
speak of war in the presence of Hannibal" But
OVERLY there be too !" Hannibals in the field, for
~Gn-iudging by the air of authority with which
he writes-has gone in his time, quite deep into
the bowels of the land" We trust his copper-not
his shadow" for that is not likely to diminish
NAV never be less" Dr. Mitchell, we incline to
think, supposes it may; but the Professor, we are
sure does not refer to Gu when he speaks of those
who have become " half crazed" by the copper and
coal speculations.
Dr. Mitchell it must be admitted-whatever may
be thought of his opinions and theories-wields
clear cutting, singing pen. He treats {" to quite
a comfortable supply of salt and pepper, and then
does him the favor of rubbing it in. He excoriates
him-he brings the epidermis at every touch-he
puts him through all the preliminary horrors OF an
Eastern bath, and then leaves him untoweled, with
his hair standing in three thousand particular drec-
TONS and his eyes well filled with soap and water.
We have no hesitation in saying that the case, as it
stands, calls for contemporaries and sharp retala-
ton We think we know " G."-we believe he is of
true metal and will not shelter himself under fc-
titous name He too has shown himself well skilled
in attack and retort indeed the apprehension of his
friends generally is that when thoroughly aroused he
may be too bitter We believe he has given consid-
cradle attention. of late to Mineraogy and Geology
and if this be so, and if Dr. Mitchell be indeed the
"prmer" Geologist sc " represents him to be, the
victory of the latter will be easy and complete.
But to speak more seriously, we trust that no i'll
feeling will follow these discussions, and that they
may rebound to the benefit of the State. Facts,
We should regret to personalities substituted for
these things or passion sway where reason should
alone be appealed to and heard.