Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-27
Letter from !" TeoktiIIa.-


Letter from TeOktiIIa.-
EDIroRs LEDGER: As / shall leave
the city within day or two to be absent
for some time, | wish, before parting
with him, to say word or two to the
Hon. W. 7. Avery on the subject of his
late abusive letter of me to the Ara
laDcbe. In that refined and elegant
epistle he elects and scstters forth his
lowfung and scandalous cpl thets with
profusion Indicating that possibly he
might have been afflicted with cholera
infantum or some similar affection,
superinduced probably by imbibing too
copiously of the rancid and putrid mat
ter he EXTRACTED from the columns of the
Avalanche, and which proved too heavy
for bis stomach to retain. However that
may be, he came down upon that "hoary-
headed assassin" Teoktilla," with
merciless fury, awful and destructive.
He came ike q norther sweeping over
the PLAINS of Texas, or like fierce
Louisiana or Mississippi tornado, tear
ing and smashing things generally; or
like-I know not what to liken it to.
We must all confess, however, that 1t
was q tremendous, a rery great bto'o:
1t was certainly no, very agreeable, not
half as much SO fragrant and refreshing
as, when far out at sea, the northeast
winds that blow Sabesn odors from the
spicy shores of Araby the Blest.
Bat we poor deyils must content our
selves with any infection our snpsriors
may think ft to impose upon us, and bear
il with humility and fortitude, whether it
be sounding cursing" or kick in the
short ribs. The whining, sniveling, sym
pathy begging which that epistle betrays
Is not the highest evidence of innocence,
outit shows desire to ward of the front
and breast Of the imputatious of "Teok-
tilla by an appeal to ..ha kindliest feel
iugs of our nature. There is naught
in this bad world like sympathy" and in
the present case ] feel my own heart very
considerably moved, for ], TOO, have
drank of "the milk of human kindness"
and which disarms me Of my resolution
to hold him to personal accountability"
If Mr.. Avery had been sincere 10 his
declaration of the worthlessness of the
author of "Teoktills," as man Of no
character at all, why did he visit upon
him such unmanly abuse2 Would q
high minded and honorable man abuse o
hoary-headed creature who was "un-
worthy" of his notice2 And TO do. so
would il not be denounced by every vir-
tuons.minded man as wanton, cruel,
unmanly, and oulrageous-an outrage
upon morality. and even dscenny itself
Now, Mr.. Avery. where do you stand I
Either your declaration is false or that
you committed an act which all good
men everywhere will condemn. There
lie where you stand before this commu :
nifty, and your professions Of grea, for
bearance to ibtiict personal punishment
will be regarded at exactly what it is
worth. But how often do we see it the
case, those who make the professions Of
forbearance and magnanimiiy are will
ing to wound aud yet afraid 10 strike. "
We learn from his letter that Mr..
Avery is an "honest eitigsn," has always
lived yirtuous and upright life and
that there was never before n whisper
against me during my whole life" Self
praise. it is said, is half scandal; and Mr..
Avery is almost as lavish in terms OF
praise Of himself as he is prolific in vulgar
epithete Of denunciAtion Of "Teoktills."
Ia order 10 refresh Me-. Avery's memory
on this subject, ] refer him to the columns
of the Appeal ia the hEes Of which we
speak, as also to the recollection OF hun
dreds Of the people Of Shelby comfy,
whose memory "a not so ueacherons as
Mr. Avery's. Besides, can refer him to
the columns Of the LKDoEK during the
Congressional canvass Of Carrin, Sueed
and Avery. 10 that paper, over the Gig
nature Of i. A. Allen, sGp be found
charges against Mr., Avery Of dishoHor'
able e6adae,, which he did not open bis
mouth in contradiction. he knew them
10 be true, and be WAS s'ient
II we're half or the hnDdrsdlh part IS
wicked as Mr.. Avery would make people
believe. with what malicious pleasure |
could discant upon the contents Of that
letter, aud What profound lecture could
read TO him on lying. ! could tell him
Of the lie inierenual, OF tie lie silent, OF
the lie ciroumEian;;si, aud Of the lie di-
rect. cosId read to him pages from
Paley and from Nrs Opie ON lying. and
from olher good t.o0ks, none of which, !
presume from bis letter, be has ever read
Bat / fear that be is iBeorriEible. aud