Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-04-02
ANONYMOUS LETTERS.

Below are a few extracts from an article which
lately appeared in the Independent. We believe
that the person who would write an anonymous
letter for the purpose of inuring the feelings OF
reputation of another is both kna$e and cow
ard, and that his statements are not worthy ot
credit No one having the slightest pretension
to the character of gentleman would be guilty
of thus doing. 1t is only the ignorant, the dis
honest, the mean, or the wicked, who engage in
anonymous letter-writing. We trust that our
readers burn, as we invariably do, without read
ing, all anonymous letters.
There are many wrong things which persons
do from want of reflection, or from lack of ex-
perience and writing anonymous letters is one
OF them. As general rule, it is safe to say that
no person should address to another any mes
sage, which he is unwilling to put his name to-
The only cases in which the name is of little
Importance are those in which there can be nc
objection to its use. Hone is compiling book,
or engaged in some known literary work, one
may send him materials, or references or hints
facts and books anonymously. Butwhat earth
ly reason has the informant for Withholding his
name? sss
"a person writes about third party unfa-
vorably, and the moment that we get the drift
of the letter, we look to see if there is respon-
sible name. If there be none, we pitch the letter
into the fire, and fear that the writer will follow
in due time, unless he repents of the ineifable
meanness of writing evil of fellow creature, and
hiding his name. This is an attempt at aSsds-
siufiur. a that will, D., anvn, fvus ivttei
injure another, would commit any crime to which
his nature addicted him. provided there was a
motive. and impunity.
1--WE disdain to consider the case of those mis-
crcants who seek TO make mischiefin families, in
neighborhoods, or between friends, by anony-
nous information, whether true or false. A man
cho pider corer of darkness tcould stab another's
name or hopes, is an orn child Of the deril, and
is about his masters business iciM an internal
feleity.
"1f you wish to warn person of danger, or
apprise him of any evil go TO him. or go to some
friend who will, or write with your signature.
But if you will not do that, do nothing. Ifyou
are unwilling to bear for another the risks OF
writing your name, you are not friend enough
to entitle you to meddle with his affairs at ALL
"A mans name is meant to be safeguard.
Where a man is known he is silently restrained
from thousand Incidental temptations which
would assail him ifhe were consciously unknown,
A mans name on paper is the representative OF
his person. twill he a strong inducement to
care, honor, truth, and propriety!, The want OF
a name to letter is presumptive evidence that
man has been doing something of which he is
ashamed. And all honest men ought to make
it rule to burn up, without reading, anonymous
communications. This is our rule. 1t is only
now and then that we begin to read without
knowing that the letter is nameless. But, usu-
ally, letter without n signature goes in an in
stant into the fire, or into strips for the wind to
play with"