The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1868-10-22
Sorry for 1t

Sorry for 1t.
An unusual number Of errors occurred IN last
weeks paper. These could not have been avoid
ed, as there was barely force enough in the Of
fee to get the paper out at all. Most of our read
ers know on whom the responsibility for these
shortcomings ought to rest, and unpleasant as ii
is for us to bear we want it placed exactly where
it ought to be-, q ll-1,1A hL .e5ls-C aLA
In connection with this subject we will state
that it was not our intentian to have published
on the character of Slr. W. q. Nelson; of Phila-
delphia. We do not consider the publication Of
such articles as juati6able, particularly on the
eve of an excited election when it should be the
object of all well-meaning men to allay rather
than stir up bad feeling, except as q matter OF
pure self-defenee. We have no quarrel with the
party attacked, and have personally no knowl-
edge of the truth of the charges brought against
him. So, We repeat that we regret, by amistake
of the young man employed in the Office who, in
search of copy under difficulties, set the article
up without authority, that it appeared in the
columns Of oar paper. s.s,s- Istag
Neither have we intended to gTatify amy per-
sonal feeling against the editor of the Union Pi-
lot by the publication ofany little squibs which
may have appeared in these columns directed
against that paper. Such an opinion, We are
sorry to see, has obtained among those directly
interested. Nor do we indulge in any such lit
tleness of feelingas desire to see the Pilot g
down simply because it is Radical sheet or be-
cause ii ia in oar way While we are anxious t
succeed ourselt, we wish the Pilot the full meas
ure of success to which its friends may consider
it entitled. r
In the old time, says the Louisville Journal
it was the habit of politicians to go out and dis
pute and call hard names, and sometimes t.
fight. 1t was the habit of newspapers to get W
ferocious wars among themselves. There was {
continual tcmpest-in-a-tea-pot. If q speaker
was goOd-natured his courage was doubted.
n newspaper was not virulent its fealty wal
doubted. Fortunately that time has gone by
1t is succeeded by more wholesome state O
| popular morals, more sensible method Of pub
| r
lie dealing. The thing is regulated by that ever
common sense which leads intelligent men tode
tect bathos and scorn hypocrisy. To be effectiv
as a speaker or writer man must address him
self to the reason Of his audience, mrst be eiyi
in his manners and courteous and plain in hi
speech. Grand and lofty rhetorical tumblinj
won't do any longer. Stage-struck paroxysms o
fcrvor are absurd and ridiculcd by the masses
That which lconyinces, which persuades, which
impresses, is that which goes home to the hear
through the Intelligence simply, plainly, sin
cerely, directly. The outdoor debate is goinl
out of fashion. Such Wrangles jar upon the pub
lie sense of dccorum, are pointless and proftless
They are seldom warmed by any good purpose
and when they are the purpose is usually per
verified by the passion of the combatants. Hence
forward different method will gradually com
into vogue. If speaker has anything tNsay h
will rise quietly and say it like gentleman
If q newspaper desiTeto discuss question,
will do SO on its own behalf The object win b.
to avoid mere personal display and to arrive q
truth for its own sake. Ultimately, civilization
will compel the same courtesy in public dealing
as society now exacts in its private intercourse
and COOL humor will be, like decency, not
merit, but a mattcr-of-c0urse.