The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-07-07
To THE EDITOR OF THE COURIER

AZ 1uE ADllOn VI lie SoSAlEh.
Dear Sir.
When I concluded my reviews of the slavery
discussion had no intention of again recur.
ring to the subject; but Mr.. Fowler in re.
plying has put forth some doctrines, so
strange; some arguments, so fallacious; and
some statements so utterly untrue, that I
am deeply impressed with the thought that
the cause Of God, Of Christ, and of Humani-
ty demands further notice at my hands,
Of God, whom his doctrines grossly dishon-
or; of Christ, whom he wishes to cruelty
anew in the person of the poor slave who
''iives in the Lord" and whom our Savior
calls members of his body" and also the
cause of humanity, whose dearest rights and
most sacred ties he proposes to abolish
thus concentrating in his own person all that
is odious or infamous in the name of ''abo-
litionist."
Mr.. F. confesses to have "great reluctance
and strong objections" to enter into ftlrth-
er defence of Dcspotism-why do it then?--
"Divine institutions" ought always to COM
mand our ablest efforts The threatening
hints of political friends had probably much
to do with overcoming the 'reluctance'' and
strong objections"
AS he had some "preliminaries' to settle,
before going into the subject, it is but rea-
sonable that should settle some ''preimina-
ries" too.
He seems much puzzled about my identi-
ty; and whether am to be spoken of in the
singular or the plural number. This need
not be matter of surprise to any one, for
he is in the same uncertainty with regard to
himself. At the commencement of his let
ters, the changes from "I'' to "we" are so
frequent and absurd, that they betray an ag-
itation Of mind but i'll fitted for grave invest
igation. That he is singular" few will de-
ny; but, unable to satisfy any one of my
identity, he contents himself with a very
coarse witticism, by calling me slater day
Trinity. Until now have not been accus-
:omed to hear the triune God spoken of but
with reverence: real Christian will not use
it otherwise; a protesting Christian may use
it as stigmatic name, and think il lust
possible that Mr.. f. has in this case forgot.
ten his piety in his love of abuse.
The only ground on which he Identifies me
with Mr.. Taunton is that my letters so ex-
actly correspond to the expressions and argu-
ments used by him in the debate So far
from this being proof of our identify" it
only proves the strict fidelity with which l
have performed my task; I thank him for
the compliment so unintentionally paid me-
He complains that my letters are ''person-
al" and says none have right anonymous
ly and publicly, to "call any mans views in
question" Here we slightly differ,--when
a man addresses a. public assembly on a
question of public interest. both his language
and his conduct, in reference to that subject,
is the proper prey of all, or any. Like
works issuing from the press, they become,
on their delivery, the property of the public
and so far from there being anything dis
honorable in an incognito review, it is the
very mode most usually followed and the
public, caring nothing for the writer, ask
only, "are the facts truly stated, and the ar
guments just?" am backed by the au-
thority Of illustrious names-Jefferson and
Franklin wrote, the one often, and the 9TH
er sometimes, without the world knowing the
author. The letters of Junius, written more
than halfa century ago, are still read with
pleasure and admiration. With wonderful
bitterness he attacked the leading characters
Of his country; but to this hour the author
is unknown.
The gentleman tells US that Honor grants
such rights to no man." l suppose that it
has already occurred to you that this anathe-
ma touches US both in an equal degree. I
have written and you have published let
ters which Mr.. F. has put his branding iron
of"dishonor" upon-nay more. you have in
some sense adopted them, inasmuch as an.
nouncing their close. you commented on them
in terms of high praise. In vain should l
have written-my petitions for light would
have fallen stillborn, had you not impaired
vitality by their publication. Seeing. then,
that our guilt is equal, should like to know
vAy The iran Il applied TO me alone One ol