The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1878-10-18

To shoot, cane, or cowhide an editor
have. unfortunately, not been rare oc.
currences in the south for many years
past; indeed, from the inception Of
journalism in that section Of the I'm
ion. editors have been compelled to be
as familiar with the pistol as the pen.
When writers Of Objectionable arti-
cles became familiar with the use Of
deadly weapons, and made not the
slightest objection to fighting duels,
those that once were ready to assail
them unawares, or invite them 10
mortal combat, changed their tactics,
prefering to get even with the inditer
Of unfavorable articles by answering
hin. through the columns Of q rival
Journal. which, in the work Of retail
alton, employed language Ear more
vigorous than either convincing or po-
lite. originating the acrid arguments
between editors designated personal
journalism" Greatly as this species
Of viiuperative writing Is to be depre-
catel, il is infinitely preferable to pis-
tok. When man who does not care
to run the risk Of being shot at. and
cannot find an opposition newspaper
10 take up his cause, finds himself un.
favorably commented upon in q jour
nal, he is placed in a position that
should convince him of the wisdom Of
keeping silent, trusting to time to win.
dica,e him IL he has been wronged. or
else 10 bury in iorgetfulness the objec.
iionable paragraph,
A Macon (Georgia) man, opposed
to duelling. recently took offence at
some trivial publication in the Messen.
yer, Of his city. Smarting under what
he deemed to be an injury. he hit
upon the novel expeiient Of having
the offending editor cowhided in the
streets of Macon, by a woman. He
laid his plans ingeniously, depuiing
his wife to do the cowhiding. He ac-
companied her TO the thoroughfare
which he knew the editor of the Mes
singer, Col. II. ii. Jones, frequented
at certain hours of the day. Station
ing himself at safe distance 10 wit.
ness the accomplishment OF his novel
plan Of revenge, he waited for the fun
To begin. II did commence at the
appointed time, but it ended far differ
emily than was anticipated by the Or
iginator. Like agood wife, the wo-
man attacked Col. Jones with the
cowhide. The eagle eyes of the editor
took in the situation at a glance.
While the first two blows descended
upon his person, he must have formed
his plans; before the third one fell.
he carried them into execution. He
took the lash from the hands Of his
fair assailant, ran up to her husband
and rained shower Of singing cuts
over his head and shoulders. All the
papers Of Macon are unanimous in
stating that Col. ii. ii. Jones, "ad-
minisiered severe castigation" TO the
chivalrous husband Of the assailant,
who, il seems, is satisfied with the un.
expected termination Of his deep-laij
scheme of revenge. As the editor OF
the Messenger is also satisfied, the af.
fair ut Macon may be considered US
settled. II has demonstrated that
wives are not available proxies for the
castigation Of editors, and should also
teach the lesson that journalists have
contracted a habit of striking back
when struck. The cowhide, even
when welded by the hand Of woman,
has as little terror for the editor as the
pistol in the grasp Of the bullies who
oace labored under the idea that edi-