Bismarck tri-weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1875-1881, 1877-08-08
Intemperance vs. Charity.

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Editor TR1BrxK.
81. W. s." in your last issue, says
obituary notices are not usually CON
sidered proper subjects for literary dis
section" Allow me to add that it is
also unusual for An obituary notice, ,un-
der cover of its conceded sacredness, to
attempt to reprove . writer of a local
newspaper article, which article no sane
person can claim to be harsh or unjust.
Consequently, would: respectfully in.
vits IL. w. s." to revise her code Of
literary ethics, or accept with little
more grace and . little less venom .
very mild desc of her. own medicine.
When / wrote for the TRIBUNE the local
article under the heading Of "a Sad
DEATH" it was with s.heart flied with
kindness to all and malice towards
noae," and with such feeling Of pity
and eonmisssration towards not only
this man and oil others equally. unfor-
tunate, but towards the grand, glorious
youth Of our country who, perhaps, un-
der just such pernicious teachings, and
special peas and excuses for drunken.
ness as are 50 glibly advanced by L. w.
s., might be in danger Of . like exper-
fence, and in the few brief. sentences Of
that article I only hoped at best.to at
tract tho attention Of some hungering
human soul, and BY the contrast drawn,
perhaps stay his feet more firmly upon
the rugged, rock beaten path of virtue
and sobriety. To the obituary notice
Of the same subjsct which followed in
the next issue Lshould have paid no
attention, as I cared nothing for the at
tempted reproof, but in that attempted
display of literary genius and broad.
gauge charity we're two positive state
ments, so entirely at varience with
common sense, good logic and the truth,
as substantiated by facts uncontrovert-
ible, that I concluded would not quiet
ly accept reproof from such sentiments
and permit them to stand undispnted.
I refer to the following, ''The world
would be better were there more like
him. and ''He injured no one but him
self" Ny criticism, however, was very
mild and respectful, as shows for itself.
It dealt simply with the two statements
above, and in no fair sense could be
construed as making any attempt to
modest tho ''graves of the dead" OF ma
lign the good name or fame Of ngood,
dear Uncle john" And the attempt Of
IL. w. S." to distort the real issue is
simply another repetition Of the old
story of "Don Quixote and tho wind
mill" This extraordinary sensitive
ness upon this subject which would
prompt IL. W. S." to make pretsxt
of self constituted championship Of some.
thing which had never been assailed, to
air her academic literature, is abundant
evidence of an abnormal, efratic brain,
and certainly demands rest, rest, good
long rest. Perhaps the result would be
a discriminating understanding and .
healthy appreciation Of points At issue.
NV phrase most certainly was not am
blguous. neither is it now when l say
to IL. w. S." that the zeal displayed
in her aggressive championship of the
royalty Of her hero, would if displayed
"anti mortem" have appeared more
practical, more consistent, and no doubt
more satisfactory to 'good, dear Uncle
Jshn," for am firmly impressed that
had friend of whom could honestly
write that my children had learned from
him "snly one long lesson of gentle
ness, unwearying kindness and unfail-
ing cheerfulness," and who possessed
an innocence Of heart, meekness Of
disposition, kindliness of speech"
and in fact all the cardinal virtues, and
should permit him to die like dog
in shanty but little way from my
own door, 1 should consider that I had
proved myself recreant to every trust
of gratitude, friendship or charity; but
then /, probably, have not arrived At
that divine aflatus which would enable
me to rise above the common, practical
ideas of mortals and bow at the shrine
of gushing sentinentalism, and hope
never shall. But I, too, now write "Res-
quisecat in pace'' on the tomb of "Un.
Gle John,"' for so far as I am concerned
he has had little to do with the differ.
ence of opinion between 81. w. S." and
myself. I am perfectly wiling 4. W.
S." should enjoy to the fullest extent
her ideas of manliness and christian
virtue, but do object most positively
to her using the pretext thas the grave
of some hero who had had the misfor-
tune to be compelled per force of cir
cumstances, to succumb to spiritual
influence liquidly applied, had
been sacriligiously invaded by
me, who sought with desc