Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-06-23
"a soLDIER"--HIs ABSURD CHARGES.

manner, in the last "Vindicator" offers
an insult to every soldier in our heroic
armies by adopting tho honered title
l"A Soldier" as the signature TO an arti-
|cle which contains charges against US SO
evenly compounded of malice and alb
|surdity that it is difficult to tell whether
they excite more indignation than ridi-
lcule. The palpable absurdity contained
in these charges shows that the igno-
france of the author is only equaled by
the malice which prompted them. The
man who can assert that another, who
was within the lines of the enemy, where
all know the CONSUMPTION act is Of non
effect, was ssforced back by the conscrip-
ton act' into the Confederate lines,
where alone that act could operate or
affect him in the slightest degree, ex-
hibits degree ofstolid ignorance which
is truly astounding
The absurdity of this charge is equal
led only by that of another of the same
lauthor, which no other but himself could
be guilty Of perpetrating. He main
sains hat it is inconsistent for an indi-
vidual to desire the establishment OF
organized companies to repel raids and
lplnndering parties of the enemy, who
did not go solitary and alone (for at that
time there was no organization and no
other citizen thought OF going) to meet
and drive back the whole army of the
senemy marching triumphanty up the
Valley, driving the small band of vet
Grams under Stonewall jackson before
them, who on account OF the paucity
of his numbers was compelled to leave
the main road, retreating to Port Repnb-
He, thus leaving, as it was thought, the
+, town of Staunton at the mercy Of the
invaders"
] As "Stonewall Jackson and his vete-
rams" deeming discretion the better
part of valor," had gotten out Of the qoay
and left an opportunity for fair fight
between the "enemy marching trium-
i phantly up the Valley" and oursez, "a
Soldier" thinks that we were very re-
miss because we did not "pitch inn and
drive the whole army of the enemy de.
feated, discounted and totally routed
, confused, confounded and disgraced to
their own homes beyond the flowing
waters of the lovely Potomac. We are
) much obliged to him for the compli
} ment. but it is so much above our de-
serts that we blush in the apprehension
that it may verge upon fattery, which
!; is always offensive. He seems to think
: that we possess in our single person the
military prowess OF Achilles multiplied
ten thousand fold. We have a more
modest opinion of ourself, and think
that such an adventure ssupon our own
: hook" woald have excelled in madness
! anything ever undertaken by the chiv-
alrac knight De La Mancha. We never
conceived that the madness OF Don Quix-
, ote would ever be excelled till we wit
, messed the folly, madness and absurdity
r exhibited by this anonymous writer who
5 pays us such amadeserved compliments
This writer may consider it compati-
BILE with the character OF GA Soldier
) to take advantage of the concealment
5 furnished by a fictitious signature to ca
/, lumniate the character of one who has
never given him the slightest cause q
provocation, but We suppose that there
: is not soldier in our army who concurs
: with him in that view. When he shall
have the manliness to announce his
name, company and regiment in the
+ "Vindicator," we will give to him and
his false charges such further notice as
we may deem them worthy ofreceiving.
, We are at loss to know what can be
the character of the ideas respecting ed
J, itorial courtesy entertained by an editor
i who allows his paper to be made the
medium for anonymous writer's to ca
illuminate the character Of another editor.
We do not mention this in the way OF
I complaint, for we know that zoe cannot
be injured by it, bat We mention it as
showing a remarkably nice sense ofpro-
priety and an unusual degree Of good
taste. We acknowledge the right of
any editor to conduct his paper accord
ling to his own taste. Ode gatsta6us non
est disputandum." every one should
consult his own taste," as the fellow
lsaid who nursed the skunk.
4 An editor who declines to correct a
false charge which he, himself, has
made against another, and that, too,
when his special attention has been cal
led to it, and when not only his sense of
simple justice, but his ssmagnanilnity"
{ has been appealed to, may very readily
consider it consistent with has ideas OF
editorial propriety to allow the use Of
his columns to anonymous calumniators
of another editor.
! Whilst it is our disposition to be up
ON terms of amity with all men, partic-
ularly members of the editorial fraterni-
ty, yet we wish it distinctly understood
that we ssknow our rights, and dare
maintain them"
AS to those who are now vainly en-
deavoring to injure us by calumny, or
influence our conduct as an editor by
threats or personal violence, we defy
the whole pack, including every
"Mongrel whelp and hound,
And cur of lew degree"
RETURNING THANKS.