The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-08-09
For The Cecil Wing.
The Democrats Surprising Surprise.

for publishing my letters and his final en-
phatic refusal to discuss the tariff question
in the columns of his paper could be sur
prised at reading my reply to the "Spike"
in The Wing; for this surprise of The DEM
ocrat was not at the article itself, but at
finding that had sent it to The Wig.
l think my friends would have been far
more surprised than The Democrat, if l had
sent my late communication to that paper,
after the positive refusal to consider the
subject at present.
AS early as June 14th, 1878, l thought
there were indications of uneasiness on the
subject of publishing my letters in The
Democrat. But when the Editor said, un-
der date Of July 18th: We are aware that
in giving our correspondent Big Elk such
liberal hearing in the columns of The
Democrat we are hazarding the favorable
opinion of some of our best friends"
could not help believing that my direr-
GENT tariff views were not kindly received
in that office, and that if l expected to get
my repl to the "Spike' before the public
must do so through the columns of The
Wing. Had l known that The Democrat
was ready to publish my late article on an
interdicted subject would have thought
it rude and uncivil, if not offensive, to per-
sist in thrusting into the face of any gen.
tleman subject so Enthusiastically, yet
courteously refused. Let me say right
here, lest it escape my pen, that intended
when resumed the subject of the peoples
wrongs, which hope soon to be able to do,
to send nay coming articles Oh. that subject
to the press where the former numbers
were so kindly received; and 1 will still do
so if the same reception can be accorded
them as heretofore.
Others, beside Big Elk, will he surprised
to read that the Editor of Tile Democrat
was merely treating the tariff with pleas
antry, "presuming that we were dealing
with gentleman who could understand
our humor and our motive.' Now, let any
person turn back to files Of The Democrat
and read all the articles on the tariff, begin
ming with the 14th of June, and see what a
pleasant joker this gentleman is. In his
editorial apology or excuse for publishing
anything in his paper in favor of protec-
ton, he says: 1t means robbing the poor
! farmer to fatten the rich manufacturers.
1t means high prices for all the farmer has
to buy and low prices for all he may have
to sell" &C., &c. l have read this humor-
Gus article more than once, but l cannot
see the joke or where the laugh comes in.
Now, turn to his issue of June 2Sth, and
read that humorous article. under the head
! of " The Iron Manufacturers Conven-
tion," and join with that confirmed humor-
list in the laugh, if you can see the point
when it comes in for cannot. need not
particularize; read them, "Spike" and all.
They arc all Of piece, earnest, and l be-
lievc, honest, yet serious assaults on the
protection policy of the country. Let any
man read these various able articles above
referred to, and then read in Saturday
paper that he complains that did not see
or appreciate his humor, and it will be sur
prising if he is not greatly surprised.
There arc only two points in this "sur-
prise that are really interesting to me
personally. The first is where he more
than intimates that l had not acted with
the courtesy due from one gentleman to
another. The other is that rcsorted to
misstatements, Interpretations and I'M
founded assertions These are grave
charges, which l am not willing to rest
under. All he says about spiking my big
gun, and my resort to small arms, pop.
guns, ETC., is not worth repeating. They
may be nothing but the Parthian tactics
a shower of arrows to cover his retreat
In all my intercourse with the Editor OF
The Democrat have ever found him gen.
tleman, and | make it point to let no man
surpass me in courtesy, even in the heat oil
controversy. l state my own cause fairly
and with all the force | am capable, but
never descend to offensive personalities. II
the gentleman, when he gets over his sur
prise will take time to look over this
very article which I am now considering,
he will find in it sufficient proof that he
has wronged me, unintentionally, certain
", but nevertheless he has done me wrong.
At the first of that article he will find that
he charges me with having =" taken advan-
tage of the opportunity opened to him to
ventilate his tariff views" &c.
What would be the most gentemanly
course when you discover that your friend
thinks you have taken advantage of him
to go on and offend him still more, or to
take another and the only course possible
l think the latter the better course, and
took it. Finding my friend was willing
for me to discuss the peoples wrongs and
was not pleased with me for taking advan-
tage of that opportunity to defend the tar
itf, '' I turned to the gentiles." What pa
role of honor existed between The Demo-
crat and Big Elk? Let that paper answer.
lie says Big Elk twas political opponent
and had no claims upon us whatever
Claims among gentlemen are reciprocal,
and if Big Elk had no claims on Gus, y
how can it be that "us" have claims on
Big Elk, and if such be the case, how can
| tncic w SuSu ehlhS do " P"'V'o " 'o'0'
implied or pledged"
A little further down in the surprise u
l read, sit was apparent to every one but
himself that we wished to waive prolong
ed discussion" &C., and he finds fault
with me for discovering what was appar.
ent to everybody else, and for not pressing
ON him an unpleasant subject. In an edi
toral in Tile Democrat of the date of June
2Sth, under the head, Big Elk will be
found these sensible, because truthful
words: "Big Elk is a Republican of we'll
defined stripe. We have no political claim:
upon him, nor he upon us. We do not
expect anything from him, nor he from us.
We treat him courteously, but we hold
ourselves in readiness to lash him soundly
at the proper time"
This quotation sounds more like humol
than any l have made yet, but the most
surprisingly funny part of it was that when
| ofiered INV hack for the promised lashinp