The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-03-27
The Folly of a Fool,


swallow himself" The proverb ismodern-
lied in the saying ''give a fool rope enough
and he will hang himself" In pursuance
of this idea we copy the second etfusion
of the collector of this port as the best
possible means OF giving Il correct idea of
the caliber of the man, and of accounting
to those abroad for the universal disgn st
which he exctes in his official position
here. A man worsted in 4 conflict of wit
which he has invited. and drunk with rage
in consequence, may be as profitably al
| lowed to make of himself q warning spec
| tacle as the intoxicated slaves of the old
Greeks Hence we cheerfully afford the
space required.
| A few comments may be in order 1t
will be noticed that our photograph is pre-
| sented, and that we are reproached with
not being good looking. This is probably
| true. But we submit that it is no fault of
our own. Many excellent men have
| labored under the same misfortune, vet
achieved tolerable success in life, and
some even places in history. 1t is hard,
| but we shall have to endure the reproach
as best we can. But should we not, If
our picture is to be taken, be allowed to
select the artist2 A photograph is sun
picture, and is always truthful but there
may be a difference between a portrait by
| the sun and the son of a -
The allusion to a lady, which Barnabus
endeavors to make 50 pointed, is one that
any other man would be ashamed Of We
are sorry to find ourself wrong in the sup
position that we had a controversy with a
man, and a white one. The Indians of
the west, when rctreating from stealing
expeditions, endeavor to carry off woman
to interpose between themselves and the
shots of pursuers, Probably there is no
man in Maine who possesses so thoroughly
the low cunning and treachery of the
Comanche as does Roberts, Accordingly
we are not surprised to find him interpos-
ing this lady as shield, in retreating from
his raid on Belfast. And the protection
is effectua. We have too much respect
for even the imputed statement of a lady,
in such matters, to publicly question it.
Difference to the sex allows anything of
that nature to pass unchalenged at any
and all times. A woman's privilege is to
talk; a mans duty is to be silent what
ever the facts of the case But the col
lector will make much better figure in
future if he fight openly like man, and
seek no refuge behind the petticoats of
Percie.
There Is nothing else in that weak and
incoherent production that calls Tor serious
notice. The bridge question is entirely
ignored, and replaced by the drivel of q
madhouse. In former article we argued
the improperly of the collector of Belfast
taking the stand he had and quoted in
stances in the management of the office
showing that he openly disregarded the
laws, by engaging in trade himself and
permitting other officials to do the same
We should be glad to have any one point
out any reply to this in the article we copy
The fact is that there is room for the
gravest coniectures in regard to the man
agement OF the affairs of this cnstom-
house. Mr.. Roberts, the collectors is a
dealer in articles that himself has charge
of levving and collecting duties upon.
His business partner has already had ex-
pensive interviews with government de
tectives. His chief assistant is an importer
of foreign goods Tor stores in two cities
Mr. Tucker. an official, is also deputy
sheriff is defiance of executive rules.
These are the sore points, and account
for the wrath when they are touched.
The fear Of losing the double teats is very
great.
A word in regard to Stockton, aud we
are done for the present. We are falsely
accused of a hostility to the town, when
in fact we regard Stockton as containing
some of the W orthiest people, the most en-
terprising men, and the smartest ship
masters of any place in our knowledge
The trouble is that it permits Roberts and
Hichborn to be its mouthpieces, and they
render it ridiculous by their windy ways.
L they are alluded to, they cry-"Oh, you
are hostile to Stockton !" When the town
is out from under their leadership and in
fluence, the ridicue will cease. The case
is like that of the English lawyer who
angrily inquired of a smiling locker on
"Do you see anything ridiculous in my
wig ?" Nothing but the head" was the
reply And there is nothing in Stockton
specially laughable except its self-assumed
head.