Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-12-10
Editor Republican !:

DEAR SIR-When q man can see ''riotous
cheer and banners of personal liberty
where they do not exist, it is not at all as
tonishing that he should mistake chal-
lenge to sustain a point of discussion for a
request to obtain spiritual advice
The comparison of The cold Roman" in
troduced into the Req. Critics last,sis quite
romantic. 1t viii, however, be admitted,
even looking at things in their most favor
able light, that this old Roman was in
pretty tigh. place. But what I failed to
sci was the Roman, in any sense Of the
word. What do see Is "weak Methodist
Preacher who has been driven from behind
every breast work, where he had inlrenched
versary, fits across The field, seeking refuge
in every nook, lodging every missile, and
always refusing battle. He may continue
in that way justso long as he finds in it any
pleasure; like the old woman who kept
turning her wheel long after her yarn was
all spun 1t will be time enough to notice
him when he says anything Ia the mean
time he may new, and try to scratch.
In order to equal my assailant in rude
ness, it is not my intention to descend to
the level OF a man who knows not how to
blush although he stands before the public
convicted Of ignorance, or cowardice, or
bad faith, and of something very like cel-
umny In what should be a calm discussion
all personalities should be avoided. Whilst
the matter in dispute could be looked upon
| lightly, was careful not to seek to render
| it over serious But when my opponent
| came out under his own signature, and
seemed DESTROYS to discuss questions serious
| ly and systematically, he found me there,
And should be, even now, wish to continue
! the argument seriously, he will find me
still prepared.
/ excuse all from violation Of the excise
law on the, l4th, in the same way, as " ould
excuse rattle alta religious fair, by saying
| that custom justifes it; and custom does
| Justify it, in case custom is the best inter-
prefer OF laws. Now does my opponent say
| that custom is not the best interpreter Of
| laws? say that an armed procession for
a religious end is not violation of the Sun
| day, and again defy him to prove it is.
! fla point of this kind is to be despised as
''lame duck of Theology" then why intro
! duce it? @
When hear man undertaking to preach
morality, and that this man teaches, that
Faith alone saves, ! feel thatsI have right
to inqu ire, why he insists upon anything
! further than faith When a man teaches
that each one is free to interpret, for hina-
self, the laws of God, then | am naturally
| curious to learn why he dares to find fault
with any one who may exercise the right
which he, himself, comedies; Hence the
two questions which | put in my second
! last article. They were in order, since they
underlie the very foundation .of the discus
| SlOu. II tHe1 he nnedffS SttdlS ullOTWaFu5 aFt
sument and not Insignificant quibbline
if he is n,honest man, and not a contempt
bic pettiiogser, let him stand forth like q
man and define his position, by answering
these questions This will be much more
becoming for one OF his pretentions, than to
skuk out of 81 difficulty, by running ON a
| wild goose chase, or striving to be severe,
when he has not yet learned TO be SO, un-
less at the expense Of common politeness.
| Until he has done this he only renders him
self ridiculons by showing how he wonid
act if a victor, and exulting in the imagi-
nary humiliation of one whose shoes he is
fit 20 buckle. Believe me, Mr. Editor, as
ever your most obedient and humble SER
want.
| D. A. TIGEE.