The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1870-05-26
IDAHO WORLD.


MACK, y in q letter to the Cincinnati Eaqalr'
er,says:
1t 30 happened that there was newspaper
correspondent mixed up in the Investigation OIL
the sale of cadetships to the extent OF having
been one of the parties to make the offer 10
buy Whittemore's appointment. de was nego'
tiatinp for third party, and knowing some
thing of the man he was dealing with, ne up
preached Whittsmore with plain offer, which,
/ believe, was accepted Whereupon Old Di-
abolus takes occasion TO make sweeping de-
ANNEXATION of oil newspapers and all EDITORS
and writers. thought the opportunity good
one to "take my pen in hand" and write him
these few lines to let him know was well.
and hoping they would find him in the same
condition:
WASHINGTON, D. C. 1s70-Ta the Honora-
Die General Benjamia FalstaG Butler Hon.
Brave General-Was it not little unjust in
YOU to include in one indiscriminate denuncia-
ton all "newspaper men," as you style them.
There 10 always more or less of injustice In
such sw eeping and all embracing condemna-
tons, but especially 10 this true when the OBJ
iect of it is profession including SO many
shades of intellectual and moral character OF
the press, of necessity, does. You, who have
won the applause of your countrymen, hrst rs
brave soldier of the Republic, fighting its bat.
ties and saving its honor aud integrity. aud
then as a great statesman harvesting for the
benefit Of future generations the precious fruits
of your proves in the field, should be the last
10 adopt such standard OF criticism. In the
late war there were generals who rlvaled
Flora Temples best time in putting ten miles
between themselves and the armed hosts OF
rebellion at Big Bethel. There were also gem
erals who conceived the strategy of conquer
ing q peace in the southwest by storming the
side.boards Of New Orleans. and, failing To
make the insurgents 10y down their arms, made
them lay down spoons and their forks. There
were those, Also who, sent TO attack the Con-
federacy ut Fort Fisher. saw in every gray
jacket behind the bristling bayonets there n
.true Prince" and retired, ION instinct" like
your valiant prototype in Kendall Green
moistening their small clothes in nervous trep-
idation the while Not 10 mention him who,
according TO the General in-C Chief, converted
himself into bottle-imp and corked himself
up in Bermuda Hundred. Now. sir, men,
ton these historical facts, OF which, doubtless,
your presence Mt the front prevented your
hearing at the tune of their occurrence, mere
ly for the sake of proving by arGHHseAtHm al
komiaeas the utter injustice OF your sweeping
denunciations Of newspaper men" How
would you like TO have your well.earned militia.
~ laurels torn from your brow BY Wholesale
censure of all commanding officers as set OF
runaways aud spoon thieges-and include
alike the baitle-scarred veterans like yourself
and the bottle-scarred hero Of Bermuda and
TO reduce to one degrading level the captor of
forks and captor of forts You will see al
<srna h.,s, ya,, usiu .uH..r he stsh tndix.rfsrt
nate condemnation.
The same is true of you in that other and
more lofty part you arc now enacting on the pub
he stage showing BY your daily arts that peace
hath her victories no less renowned than war.
When you returned your blood-stained sword
TO its rusty scabbard, and laid aside your gilt
tering but deeply -dented h-lment OF var TO as.
sumo the peaceful robes If craftsmanship, did
you not find yourself thrown into the company
Of men who sought "a the highest object OF au.
bition the cheap applause Of the groGnd!ings-
who sunk the statesman in the politician. and
both in the demagogue-men who would rath.
er be notorious than right Have you not met
those who preferred the extraordinary role of
Tombs lawyer practicing in the House of
Representatives, TO the Office oil Judge to pass
upon the guilt or innocence OF an accused mem.
bert And all because it was apt 10 attract at
tention. and because next to well deserved
fame, there is nothing SO good as well.earned
infamy in the opinion OF such men. This is an
other instance in which your great name and
reputation would suffer by the reversal OF the
doctrine Of the atonement which you seek to
apply 70 Newspaper men" in making all suffer
for the sins Of one. II would degrade you to
the level OF him who, failing to secure the hon.
or Of chief prosecutor 10 the Whttemore case.
volunteered his services as chief defender. /
might quote further illustrations but forbear
A word TO the just and the generous, like q
word TO the wise, is sufficient.
/ have the honor 10 be, very respectfully,
yours. MACK"