Mountain Democrat., 1857-11-28
Newspaper Decemcy.

ilSS tHTouSnOuI Ine OIAtc. IN our mod
est view, because two men happen to diff
fer in consequence Of the force of cduca-
ton, or for other less cogcnt reasons, on
any question of religion, science or poll
tics, there is no justification for the uttc-
rance of that different opinion, coupled
with terms of obloquy and vulgarity,
which would add deeper taint of sour
rility to the disgraccful colloquies of
brothcL IL men honestly differ, nrgu-
ment is tho proper resort; abuse, never.
In such case, let the weaker 60 to the
wal, content to remain there until
strengthened by the Investigations of his
reason, or inspired by the aroma of "truth,
crushed to carth," he is enabled, Antrus.
like, recovering vigor from dcfcat,) to
rush for h to noblcr battle. Ifhc be the
apostle of n sound faith, let him bidc his
time. Error, for n while, may strut upon
the stage, but the borrowed plumcs of
its fictitious gorgcousncss will sooner or
later be pluckcd away, and its native odi-
uh or naked folly he exposed to the ridi-
cnlc or abhorrcncc of every observer
For verify, truth is as impossible to be
soilcd by any outward touch, as the sun
beam, though this illhap wait on her ma
tivity, that she never comes into the
world, but like bastard, to the ignominy
Of him that brought her forth; till time,
the midwife rather than the mother of
truth, has washed and saltcd the infant,
declared her legitimate, and churchc,l
the father of his young Minerva from the
needless curses Of his purgation." If it
be the duty Of individual men to trust to
tho purity and correctness Of their con-
victions for final triumph, instead Of re-
sorting to high-sounding phrases of dcti-
ancc, or snivclling expressions of diStlain
to change the issue, how much more is
the obligation imperative upon those who
profess to hold the mirror up to nature"
and i'll sonorous protcstations aver their
object to be reformation of public, pri-
vatc, political and social evils: And where
is the journal in all the land that does not
give voice to such professions? Even the
filthy sheet which is the chronicle of
bestiality, lcwdncss and crime, attempts
a palliation of its immitigablc nastincss,
by declaring its purpose to be to unmask
Hypocrisy, and hold up hidden bascncss
and covert scoundrc!iSm to the rcproba-
ton Of mankind. That newspaper could
not live day which would openly avow
a determination to undermine the fOunda.
tions of morality, and corrupt the virtue
of society. Public opinion, among civil
lied nations, if not the law, would crush
the life out of literary founding so hid
eouS in its nature, so dircful in its posi-
bic influences! But are there not gazettcs
Of this character in our very midst, save
in the boldness and opcnncss of their in
tcnte
We feel that We occupy position from
whence We can properly address these
queries, and indulge in these comments
During an editorial experience of some
years, VIC have never used terms in criti-
cising public men or measures, nor in
cOntroverting the statements Of our advcr-
sarics, which were not entirely within the
boundaries Of common courtesy, unless
provoked thereto, in isolated cases, by a
ruthless violation Of personal or editorial
right. And We have never departed from
tho path Of rational and fair argument,
without subsequent regret.
We are induced to these reflections,
principally, by an inspection Of the col
umns of some Of the San Francisco dailics.
Liar! and scoundrcl! and puppy! and
coward constitute the vocabulary Of di-
urnal salutation among some members of
the editorial fraternity in that interesting
metropolis. In our humble thought, the
man who makes use of such garniturc for
his ideas, Gas a matter of habit,) conccn-
tratcs and combines within himself the dir
tiest elements of tho four characters so
opprobriously designated! It was this
rcprchensible RIGHTEOUSNESS of "practiscd
pcns," which inundated upon the altar of
revenge, in the prime Of life, the father of
a family, clothed his wife in widows weeds,
and left his children dcsolatc Orphans
1t was this wanton sacrifice Of dccency, in
the conduct of one journal, which rallied
under the red flag of rebellion many 9th.
crwise respectable and pcaccablc citizens.
1t was this notification of the propricties
of the press which originated that deplor-
able and fearful anarchy, and inaugurated
that "rcign of terror" in the most popu-
lous and enlightened community of our
commonwealth, the poisonous fruits of
which, VIC fear, will furnish plcnteous
harvest Of wrongs, outrages and ills for q
generation to come. Notwithstanding this
terrible warning, VIC find the journal to
which VIC have referred, under the disguise
of pretended patriotism and love for the
public veal, assaulting any and every man,
whatever may be his position in life, con-
Spicuous or obscure, happening to cross
the track of any of its merccnary dttdches,