Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-09-29
The Camp Meeting Fracas.
WAYNEsBoRo. Sept. 26. 1875.

WAYNEsBcRO, Sept. 26, 1876.
Editors Vindicator:- In your issue of
the Sth inst, communication from an
anonymous writer, in reply to one overmy
signature that appeared on the LIST. Had
1t reached me promptly, the replication
would have been equally prompt; but
though the article was forwarded by the
kindness Of friend, it did not come to
hand until my return from Philadelphia to
this place, and reaches me only in time for
a place in your paper of this week.
By this anonymous writer, am accused
of urJairness, Of injustice to M. Walker,
and Of untruthfulaess.
My want of fairness, think he fails to
point out unless it be upon single point,
aud that will come not under the head of
unfairnesS merely but OF untruthfulness.
SO far from showing any unfairnesS on
my part, there is nothing in his letter.
with the exception referred toy that con-
tradicts any statement of mine.
The first point he touches is my asser-
ton that 1.-The rebuke was not publicly ad-
| ministered" and this he virtually comedies.
He says indeed, that it was heard "by a
number of persons" did not mean to
affirm that it was So privately given, as to
have been heard by those alone for whom
it Was intended, for quoted MI. Grabill
as saying that he was a witness to a part
| of it, at least, and | did not doubt but
that there were a few others who had the
same facility for hearing it that he had.
| Any one reading the first statement that
appeared in the INDICATOR could hardly
fail to get the impression that the rebuke
was given in the presence of the great
| 0Ot N hot
impression, I did so by saying ''that it was
not publicly administered If it had been
[ should have known something of it my
self. If ''by a number" is meant, the few
who were in the immediate vicinity of the
| parties, can see no real inconsistency be-
tween the statements. Your correspon-
dent assumes that the rebuke was an Gin
suit uncalled for, unwarranted," whether
publicly or privately given. That point l
was fair enough OF modest enough to re-
fuse to discuss. much less decide, mas
much as vas not personally cognizant of
all the facts in the case, And on til at point
am silent still. My want of fairness APP
pears to be, that in public print, failed to
pronounce upon this question, and decide
it agreeably to the views of your anony-
nous correspondent.
In regard to the conversation previous
to the striking, as given by your cores
pondent, [ do not undertake to say that
he did not hear every word just as he gives
it, [ certainly heard, in substance, all, or
very nearly all, that he mentions. I ex-
cept only one word. If Mr.. Grabill used
the word ,scoundrel" don't remember to
have heard it, but do not pretend to say
that, therefore, he did not make use of it.
But there is nothing in the language that
he quotes, that cOntradictS anything that
Iquoted. was not attempting to give
all the language used ; and l now affirm
that more was said than both Of US togeth-
or have given.
Your correspondent is as unfortunate in
showing any injustice to Mr.. Walker, as
in showing any unfairness, unless it be in
the exception referred to, and on that
point will admit all that I can, consis-
tect with truth. [ will concede that 1 be-
lieve that he intended to knock Mr.. Ora
bill down-that he tried to knock him
down, but if Mr.. Grabill stubbornly re-
fused ssto down at his bidding" l can't
help that fact, but will give him all the
credit that his intention and effort deserves
| will credit him, indeed, just the same as
though he had knocked him down. l don It
see how I could do more unless Mr.. Ora
bill had fallen. Messrs. Editors, so far
from intending to do MI. Walker any in
justice, [ was i'll possession OF several facts
in connection with this affair, that l
thought were damaging to him, but they
had not been mooted in public print, and
so l withheld them. My sole endeavor
was to correct the errors contained in your
first statement, | did not desire to intro
duce any new matter.
On one point alone we join issue on that
if his account be correct, have indeed been
unfair, amjust and made a mistatement too.
Was Mr.. Grabill knocked down If
there is any point involved in which [ am
more capable of giving a certain testimony
than on others, it is on this. I was stal.d-
ing quite near him. Some of the language
used [ might not have heard-some of the
movements 1 may not have clearly seen,
but how he could have gone to the ground
and l not know. it, | can't tell. [ have
most positively stated that he did not, 1t
is question of veracity between your
anonymous corr espondent and myself. He
makes the issue. Let AN impartial public
judge between a man. behind mask and
myself. But that the public may be the
| better able to judge. [ will tear off the
mask and show the man. 1t will not mat
ter about the name, though any would be
better than none. Whether it was exactly
fair Messrs. Editors for you to allow a
party to use your columns anonymously in
reply to a letter that had a signature, you
are to be the judge, [ am not well enough
acquainted with the rules of journalists to
pass an opinion, but as you permitted it, ]
don't blame him for availng himself of
the privilege accorded.
| But here is the party. He is an enthu~
siastic friend of Mr.. W., and he believes
that gross insult has been offered, he loses
no opportunity of telling MI. w. he vught
| to have satisfaction, he stands by when
| satisfaction is demanded, he hears all that
is said, sees all that is done-he sees his
friend, whom he believes, ''has his quarrel
just" come to grief, assaulted, Knocked
down, beating a retreat, carried along
bodily. rolling and struggling on the
| ground, sees the rope with which lie is to
be tied, sees all this and MORE sees that
but one person has identified himself with
him, and yet never strikes blow, nor
| speaks a word in his defence, but now, at
| this late day, as ii to atone for past defec-
ton, aims a blow from under cover at
| anothers character. Add to this testimony
| that of dozen, or score, if they can he
found, of his ilk, aud if regard is paid to
the quality as we'll as quantity of the evil
dcnce have no fear OF the result.
Respectfully,
BENZ. F. BALL.
Rev MbcDavH 81 an MACY, Dx,d Each