The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-02-10
FOR THE JEFFERSONIAN.

w LIE J6c EhCORlAN'
Mr.. EDITOR IL advocate the princi-
pie of economy in all things, and think
it folly for man to incur the expense of
firing bomb shells at mosquitoes; because
an application of sole leather will answer
the same purpose. bave no time to
waste iD pickering about trif1es with such
an Insignificant and contemplate creature
as More Light has shown himself to be,
however much it may crafty his vanity
for me to do so. And | wish it distinct
ly understood that this is pot 7eply to
his seurrilous letter published in your last
issue; for he has shown himself unworthy
of any other answer than that conveyed
by contemptuous silence; but only wish
to make a few general remarks upon the
subject of this controversy, by way of ex-
planation othc public.
There is class of persons, Mr.. Editor,
who, failing to acquire notoriety by any
laudable means attempt to force them
selves upon public notice by annoying,
with their puny attacks, their superiors;
and if they succeed in calling forth any
demonstration in reply to their imperti,
nencies, their object is attained. Such
persons remind US of the cur in the fable
which We recollect of translating in our
juvenile days; who, seeing lion at dis.
tanoo bounding over the plain, had the
presumption to pursue him, growing and
barking with all his might, and vainly
Unsigned that the lion was fleeing from
him in fear. But having approached too
near, he fell victim to his own folly
individuals Of similar stamp, may graf
ify their vanity, and strive to gain notori-
ETY. by sticking pins into the Stroudsburg
Phiio ID athesn Society, but if they escape
the penalty which the dog in the fable
paid for bis presumption, it is simply be-
cause the members Of this Society have
too much self respect, and too high a
sense of their own dignity, to identify
themselves in quarrel with such insig-
nlfcsnt assalants.
In regard to this controversy, 1 will
merely make short explanation, and
then drop subject, of which l am sure
the public are as tired, as sm. A few
weeks ago, published short account OF
the proceedings of the Society, without
having any definite object in view in SO
doing. did it simply because thought
it was matter of general interest; and
that people elsewhere would be pleased
to know that we have a Literary Society
herc, that it is we'll conducted and in a
highly prosperous condition. The next
week there appeared communication
from an oficious, intermedlng individual
Sko screens himself behind the signature,
More Liglt," in which be took it upon
himself to condemn u the proceedings of the
Society in very ungeDtlem anly aud ahu-
siEe manner; aud to find fault with the
language of the report itself, where there
was no occasion for it, and in doing which
he onl y exposed bis own ignorance. We
ike criticism when it is open and % anly;we
do not profess to be free from errors, and
xe are pleased if We make an error, to
have that error pointed out to US in can
did and geutem aDly manner. But wheh
an individual attempts to criticise that
which is not wrong, and ia doing so, shows
that be is Influenced by malicious mo-
tiEes, be then ceases to be entitled to Ell
tber respect, courtesy or forbearsuce. IF
the fellow who subscribes himself "More
Light" wishes to be treated as a gentle
man, let him conduct himself as a gentle
man, and treat others in a gentlem anly
manner. An established principle in the
code of gentlemen is: "Attend to your
own business, and neddle not with tha.
which does not concern you"
We would not knowingly be rude to
any one who treats US with decent res
pect, but when assailed by contuuely, in
science and malice, our pen is ever at
hand for vindication.
REPORTER.