Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-12-06
Delaware State journal
WILMINGTON. DEL,
"a frr1-sf a.. fNnaccu1Iafen- n. 1879



uHHl attach.
We lesltaicd aoous ruhllshiug The letter
We elsewhere publish over the signature
Of John NJ. Dunn, 4. S. Marshal, for the
simple reason that no man is entitled to
the use Of the public press TO enable him
10 make such malignant attack upon
smother. Our columns were open to Mr..
Dunn AS they are 10 every other man who
may be attacked therein, but they are
open to him for his defense and not for
attacks on the private life aud personal
character Of his critics. Mr.. Dunn's
letter Is 10 no sense a defense Of himself.
His assumption that his word Is as good
as Mr.. Frank A. Taylor's oath, in this
community, is too silly and preposterous
TO be worthy consideration, while bis sim
pie denial that he brought reporters here
in 1870, does not aud cannot meet the
case. Il sublime audaeity for him topub-
fish such a denial in the columns Of STATE
JoURNAL, as he has admitted TO the editor
Of this paper within two weeks, that we
heard him boast, in the presence Of a
number Of gentlemen, Of having brought
repeaters here lie does not then defend
himself from the charges made against
him, aud il they were made before and
not accompanied by proofs, ii does not
prevent them being maze again with
proof.
So far as M Dunn attacks Mr.. Har-
rington's political management, probably
many people will consider his reply fair
retort provided his statements are true.
We presume Mr.. Harrington is quite able
TO defend himself II he cares to do so,
and at all events 10 is no concern Of ours,
hut the attempt TO crltIclse his action in
this matter because il arose in the begin
ming ont of grievance from which he
or his clients suffered is not a wise one
at all. Nearly all forus which result
In the removal Of dishonest or corrupt
officials stait In this way. Some victim
protests with Indignation, and Others very
slowly aud gradually join him. That
Mr.. Harrington, having suffered what he
considered a personal grievance through
this mans NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF his
office, shoald hsyo made au attempt 10
secure his removal from office, is not dis
creditable to him. II is the simple eXer-
else Of a right claimed by the humbicst
subject Of an oriental potcntate, and lie
certainly not matter for reonke in a
free government. If. having made such
an effort, he % Guild not back 10 up with
whatever promised TO contribute to ita
success, he would show himself weak
and foolish. Hence we have never seen
the force OF such criticisms so frequently
made by Dunn or his friends.
But it will be noticed that every charge
made by Mr.. Harrington related directly
To Dunn's conduct since he has been a
public ollicer His antecedenis were left
to an oblivion be should welcome aud
appreciate How unproyoked tken, AS
well as how Infamous, nre his insinuadug
illusions TO u dark calumny instantly re-
futed long ago which even he admits to
he unfounded, growing out Of mad
blow struck in students uuarra.
nearly score OF years ago by a man
who has himself since died an accidental
death Of violence. No ialser accusation
was ever made than that which was
instantly refut,d, pacing the respon
sibility Of tAis nc. Of mad
rage on two y0utls who weri