National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-03-06
M. Folsom, ::

SIR--It is just the easiest thing
in the world for nan to defend his
cause, however poor it may be, by
denouncing as false all exposures Of
its worthlessness, without making
a single attempt to prove them SO
by sound reasoning, or any kind of
reasoning. This is precisely what
you have done, and my arguments
againgt your patent. stand Just as I
left them. without the least trial on
your part to overthrow them.
1t is hardly worth your while to
call in question either my reliability
or dental skill, for l would like no
better job than to prove to you the
former by the best men IN our vi
cinity; and the latter by q certifi.
cate from one of the best dentists in
the country, with whom l had tho
honor of studyin g, and testimonials
in plenty from patrons selected from
the very best men and women
among us. And my testimonials
unlike yours shall be, every one Of
them names well known among us.
AS to your testimonials, they
brought very forcibly to mind q
thing that used to puzzle me some
when small boy it was this: That
Of all the names appended to patent
medicine advertisements, it was so
very rarely the case that one found
anamc which he ever heard before;
no matter if you thought yourself
pretty we'll acquainted in the place
from which they dated, somehow the
names were never familiar. And'in
later years | have noticed that the
poorest medicines are always forti.
fed by the longest lists Of names.
Now | called for names of superior
1entists--those upon whose skill
and Judgment one can rely. nd in
your list find not ope such. fthe
three names which l had heard
mentioned before, not one belongs
to the class I called for. Iknow by
reputation the best dentists in sew
eral Of the places mentioned, and
have the pleasure Of a personal ac.
Quaintance with some of them; but
| do not see one of their names on
your list.
One thing is certain, your patent
is not the thing for which success
full dentist would care; for if his
own method gives entire satisfaction
why would he wish for yours: And
it is the very thing which poor
dentist would be glad of; and after
obtaining it, it is for his interest, Of
course, to recommend it in the high.
est possible manner. 1t really af-
fords man splendid chance to-
humbug people. I could see that
very plainly in a plate made in that
way in this place. It was made
with the least possible ridge, and
even that had been almost entirely
cut away, leaving it almost exactly
4. like the ordinary plate. This set of
teeth was as complete u failure as l
ever saw, dropping down continual
, ly. So the principal use of the pa.
tent seems to be in advertising--in
= announcing to people, as a Bradford
, man does in his circulars, that 1t is
b. the "Grcatest Adrdnce Step" ever
D made in dentistry.
e Perhaps ] owe my friends and
n patrons in Bradford, an apology FOL
+ engaging in this sort of discussion
;. II is not ut at all to my fancy. MY
[. other article I wrote because l was
e actuated by the feeling which every
C honest man must have who sees an
}. attempt made to humbug the pubic.
h especially when such an attempt
>, concerns his own profession. have
il oudcayorcd. as far as possible, ia
G avoid all personalities, and shall
g continue TO do So as long as can.
4 still when ono does the very best
!. be can in such n matter, 1t certainly
[ does lower mans sclf.respect tc
$ find himself barking back, especial,
! to very small dog.
+ do not propose to keep up mucl
: longcrthis kind ofsparring. SO Mr.
Folsom il you have yourself an,
| confidence in this method--or !
| this man in Bradford, using you
5 patent, has any confidence in it, le
, the thing be decided in this way
:, lie may select any pcason he p easo
/, provided that person he homes -
!. above bribcry--and We will bot
4 make for the person selected a SO
= of teeth and the one for whom "
o make the teeth shall decide whic'
method IL preferable.
III j. y. CLAKx.