The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-08-28
S AIN A q L.
Confidential COmmunlcatlonss ana a
Warning to Confidential Letter.
Writers.

Confidential communications, and a
Warning to Confidential Letter.
Writers.
We have received, under date of the
21st instant, "a letter from JOHN EsAIAs
WARREN, ESQ, written to us in our edito-
rial capacity, and with the design of in
Auencing the course of this paper upon
matter of public concern; but which, in
Difference to grossly abused rule of pro-
priety, we are constrained from giving
publicity to, for the reason that it is mark
ed confidential" We shall treat this
letter in accordance with such endorse
ment; but we shall, while doing so, make
its receipt the occasion of few remarks
upon the proper subjects for, and the pro-
per limitations of, confidential commune
cations, and add to these word of warn
ing to those who may hereafter trespass
beyond legitimate bounds, in either re-
spect.
And, at the Outstart, we wish to say,
that, with all public men, and especially
with editors, the confidential communica-
ton has become a confidential nuisance.
There is hardly scoundrel in the country,
who cherishes a scheme of public villainy,
that he does not propose it to an editor.
nearest at hand, and seek to shield himself
and the rascally nature of his project,
from deserved exposure, by heading his
letter with the word confidential. There
are towards in every community, who
seek to blast the regulations and business
of worthy men and corporations, through
lying communications to the newspapers,
and who, with all the meanness of the as
sassin, screen themselves while they strike,
behind confidential" mask. Vain
men use the confidential dodge to So
lcit fulsome and undeserved public COM
pliments; weak men, who have suffered
fancied injuries, beg, "confdentially," to
be set right before a community that
knows nothing and cares nothing about
them, or their concerns ambitious men
who have licorice tooth for the sweets
of Office, who walk on stills on the strength
Of a chance preferment, and to whose
mean and narrow view the path to further
honor lies over the ruined regulations OF
their betters-such men reveal their aspi-
rations, expose their folly, and breathe
their SANDERS, into the editors ear, and
feel themselves secure, in spite Of all their
littleness and their baseness, when they
have signed themselves "confdentially;'
his friend So frequent is the use of this
word confidential and SO prevalent its
abuse, that it has become as familiar a
brand for rascality, as I" ike's" is for bad
whiskey; and we never open q letter bear
ing this mark at its beginning, that we do
not feel tclerably certain of finding fools
name Or liars at its end.
We have incidentally indicated, while
treating of the abuses of confidential COM
munications, what are the proper subjects
for their consideration. And, having begun
in anegative style, I'VE may as we'll continue,
and say, generally, that it is an unwar-
rantable imposition of confidence, when
"a writer uses the word "priyate, - or econ
fidential," to screen himself from connec-
ton with any scheme of public or private
wrong or outrage-to shrk responsibility
from the effects of a public libel or private
slander-or to accomplish ends lawful or
wicked, by means which the public sense
OF propriety, and even his own, would not
sanction.
The blunted sense of many men, even
of good breeding and culture, in respect
to this matter, is unaccountable. They
will coolly sit down to pen propositions,
suggest schemes, and offer inducements
for newspaper aid in carrying them out,
which they would not dare to make in
person to an editor. They thus gratuit-
ously insult the editor with perfect nom
czalance, and, with equal impudence and
cowardice, rely upon the " confidential "
nature of their missive to save them from
the pain of personal chastisement, and the
rep,oach of public exposure.
H. the course of ten years editorial
life, We have endured what we consider
our full share of this kind Of annoyance and
insult. We, therefore, hereby give all con-
fidential letter-writers notice, that, when
any one of them, hereafter, shall address
to us any proposal which honor or etiquette
would forbid gentleman from making or
a gentleman from accepting, we shall feel
at liberty to disregard the !" confidential y
mark which may be set upon it; and, if
the personal standing of the writer, or the
! public nature Of the proposition, justify ex-
posure, We shall, in our discretion, print
the Objectionable communication, however