Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-03-19
For til eLewisown Gazette
HINTS TO THE WOULD-BE-"S SHARP
FRS"

in which many OF the most respectable cltl-
zens of the place were ridiculed and SANDER
ed most of whom, they well knew, would not
deign to answer their blackguardism and
after having foully slandered those who weuld
take no notice of them, they, in order that
they might the better guard themselves from
retaliation, stopped to wreak out their spite
on unsuspecting children, and stated their
depraved natures by attacking those who have
no other means Of defence except their ten
der age, which has always been deemed
sufficient protection by even the meanest
wretch under human form.
Now, sir, we have always claimed that it
is a right due to all authors to reap the hon
ors merited by their productions however dis
credtable, and this is one motive which has
induced US to review the aforementioned
sheet. Many might suppose we have taken
this way to avenge ourselves OF some insult
aimed at US through its filthy columns but
such is not the case, except that we may feel
ourselves ashamed as members of a commu-
nifty in which such moral incubi are suffered
to remain at large, especially since our coun-
ty has been at considerable expense to furnish
such characters with suitable abode. But
we also care determined to spare none but to
do Justice to ALL" And we are sorry indeed
that our duty to others will not permit US to
allow the would be- 'sharpers" to enjoy the
paltry honcrs of their miserable and abortive
attempt at publishing. But luckily happen
ing to see the original, we are forced to tear
from their brows the usurped laurels with
which they have 80 gloriOuSly decked them
selves, and to assign them their merited place
in the scale of literary and moral attanments.
At College not a thousand miles distant,
there was printed not many years ago a little
sheet called ''The Grape Shot," playing off
some squibs and sly jokes upon the students,
but intended merely for a local circulation,
where the jokes were understood and would
apply, and where by general consent it was
only considered a pastime; as its editorial,
which in part appears in The Observer"
plainly shows saying that its foolish articles
were merely intended for jokes. Now, in
the circumstances under which the original
appeared, this excuse might have been con-
sidered valid; but it cannot apply to the
wuuli be" "Sharpers." And IN their whole
sale plagiarism their extreme stupidity would
not allow them to see this--for it is mean,
contemplate wholesale plagiarism from The
Grape Shot" except the low vul garitles which
the original authors would have blushed to
have seen IN their paper, and few perverted
notices to correspondents from the New \ ork
Ledger; and such was their unparalleled stu
pidity and gTeenRe$s that they had not even
the intelligence and good sense to alter or
leave cut some college phrases and words of
only local application, which cannot possibly
apply under the altered circumstances True,
they did indeed alter and curtail few para-
graphs which, for some reason or other, did
not appear to suit; for instance:-Mr. --
The Haydn Of America. lie has rendered
himself famous by a recent musical produc
ticn in the PioEacr," which in the original
has this addition:-"which we without exag
geration, think is fully equal to that melodi,
Gus piece-'The Miller's Big Dog.
They claim to be "sharpers." Sharpers
when they lack even the common sense to
just enough Of learning to misquote." Again,
they ape the scholar; Heaven Forbid But
any person reading their sheet cannot but be
amused at their ludicrOus attempts to quote
Latin and 10 use epithets, the meaning of
which it is evident from the connection that
they had not the slightest idea.
Had the would be-" sharpers" remained
contented in their own sphere, which, judg,
ing from the very small original part Of their
sheet, must be among the very scum Of Soci-
ely, 1t would have been infinitely ne. >,
their credit, and perhaps the roio]t h,ro
established their reputat - :.sbor1ars' hI,
o"nlyihS 'red vulgarsms with kindred
spirits; nut unhappily for our community
there arc some men in it who are so utterly
deficient of that scanty knowledge which
teaches them their own ignorance, that they
are ready upon all occasions to make an ex-
hbitlon Of their powers, believing poor SIM
MIA ti,zE 4bcy, +I,o 4, r II I
holders
But let US turn to this offspring Of malig
nifty and spite. First, see with what consis-
tency they make such charges as " "fanati-
cism, - backbting" @ showing a love of
scandal" and ''an utter disregard of truth. :"
Truly such ignorance especially in these
days Of schools and SctoolmasterS, as to
pose that they could consistently sup
make such charges agaips+ III" H-~'ertly
nifty, is amazing. - 'iS "nole commu-
ocrites pocrisy. But who are the "hyp,
- " "ho are the evolves in sheep's
Gioth1hg" Verily would be. 'sharpars," YOU
siave pagiarized a few sentences too MANY,
which Will heap upon you all the odium and
contempt which your ridiculous attempts at
aping others deserve. The uprightand moral
portion OF our community will truly consider
you - the very dregs Of Milroy," thanking
you Tor first suggesting language 50 appropri
ate to yourselves. They will fully appreciate
such sentiments as these =" When some
devils IN human form, under the specious
name OF dtsinterested Kindness propagate n
foul slander upon any one, who has
never wished them any injury we are at
loss for words to erecrate their names. -
Again, you claim to 50 have built for YOUR
selves, monuments more durable than brass
and higher than the royal pyramids" and to
have rescued your names from oblivion -
Yes, truly, an Immortality is yours; but what
an Immortality Its such as will brand
you as villains and towards in after wears,
when the damp mould of the grave rests up
On yourselves and your present readers. -
Fear not that you are unappreciated by
your age" Hest assured that should the