Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1856-05-07
The Reporter and Moral Suasion
again.

of nourishment, has been reduced 10 mere
skcleton Certainly the animal is we'll nigh
exhausted, if well-pled.on" lash is indi-
cative of "used-up boss for, in the last
number, we find nothing but irritated ble VS.
from the beginning to the end of the editorial
j-urney. A whole column and half is occu-
pied in attempting to show, that we misrepre-
scented him By improperly quoting detached SEN
fences, &c, and in accusing US of calling in
anonymous writers, without attempting to sus.
tain his own propositions or answer one of our
questions. The whole of the article evidences
that his arguments have betrayed him, and he is
left this course, as dnrnier resort. The point
Of the discussion is entirely abandoned and q
u shift is made to side issues which are entirely
irrelevant, and throw no light upon the subject
whatever; some of which are misrepresenta-
tions knowingly bolstered up for the purpose of
engaging the sympathy of his readers, when
he knew there was no truth in them whatever.
Our correspondent" Sigma" who, the Reporter
says was engaged as sh-6ghter," to assist
IN thu controversy, was writing on an entirely
different subject from that of " moral suasion -
he defined the position of the Temperance party
IN regard to politics. as the Reporter did that
ofthe Democratic party in regard to temperance
In regard to "Sigma." the Reporter has ex-
hlbited arrant cowardice. Several weeks since
the Editor was made to feel the prowess of his
pen, and with which he dared not engage, fur
Their than an attempt to deride under the charge
of being Juvenile correspondent" He can
not be induced to take an open field fight
What need is there in engaging "bush-fght-
er," when our contestant has backed from every
position which he has taken, and finally aban.
doned the field entirely, and pscifies himself in
engaging the sympatkics of his friends by the
representation that he has odds against him.
The following stand-points he has abandoned,
each and every one Of which he contended was
strong enough to Overwhelm Prohibition, viz:
The moral suasi0s men of to-day are the
true temperance men, and that the Prohibition.
lists are spurious.
That the present advocates of moral suasion
are really in favor OF temperance principles.
an'ty, and should be of the temperance reform.
That the Z" still small voice." or the opera
tons OF truth on the conscience, is sufficient of
hseif TO complete the temperance reform.
That he principle of the Prohibitory Law is
without parallel in Legislation, and that the
laws in regard to the use of knives, firearms.
&c,and the practice ofhorse-racing are not SINH
lar, because the principle would prohibit the
entire sale or use OF the instruments in the com.
munity.
Upon some of the above he exhausted all his
powder at the first blast, while the others have
received nothing but faint second charge.
which was not of sufficient strength to clear
away the smoke created in the onset.
In commenting upon our remark, that the
friends of moral suasoR were formerly derideJ
as the ProhlbItionists now are, the Editor err
cases, without attempting to disprope it, on the
ground that our readers were too young to re-
member lne ct-cnmstances Git being so remote.
oHiy T'Eh. " sei ar.,) Or that we mistook the
p 's1ht t'7 Woe roe history Of the past, aud
'blss -t e..ist All sufficiently informed
c9At- 9--.- r. ..s2eIieVe the evidence of
their senses. We viii not, nor do we think il
necessary to go over the same ground, since the
Reporter has left our arguments untouched
If he is satisfied with his assertions. We arc
with our arguments until there is need of bring.
ing forth stronger.
More than half of the Editors lucid article
is an attempt to show that we Intentionally mis-.
represented him in using the word ALL in "a |
sPect to the manner in which the first temner.
ance speakers were notwithstanding the |
Impression, as his article most certainly did. |
that the temperance men then were respected |
aud highly esteemed by SAIL" In saving that
they were 6erded and abused then, as now. We
did no: quote, as represented, but give the tenor
OF the paragraph.
We will, of course, allow the Editor the
benefit of his own language, via: "That they
were h"id in The highest respect and esteemed
By ALL, without respect to political sentiments
or party feelings, because they had not then
't1'c a purity or political machine of them
selves" We do not doubt that the temper.
ance men had the respect of the political par.
ties when they could get their votes for it was
then even as now-it mattered not where the
votes came from, so they got them. But, whsn
The temperance men were driven by the treaeb.
cry Of the parties to act for themselves, where
were their professions of esteem ! Besides
vas every man politician and was every meet
ing political meetingi
They were abused then, as now; not BY
politicians when they were expecting their
,otes, but by the rummies when and wherever
hey had the opportunity. If they were not
reated with that vrulence then as now, there
vas still that inward and determined opposition.
We will not, however. continue the subject !
urther, feeling neither willing or disposed to
ngage in a " war of words,T merely to CRAFTY i,
he Reporter, 10 enabling him 10 eyade the mar. !,