Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-18

"Justitia" in your issue Of the lith inst,
works himself into very great rage. indulg
ing in the most gross personalities, IN reply
to brief article of mine. (Which I submit
was entirely free from personal attack, and
throughout wordy article of two columns.
denounces me as a coward" ''blackguard.
"bigot," ''monomaniac, "common scold."
''blindcd by passion and prejudice" 'malic-
ious slanderer." and about every other invec-
tive to be found in Webster. did not com
plain of this in my former article, nor do
now: | simply reminded him that a good
cause-an honest inquiry for truth required
no such line of defence. | think so still.
have sought no controversy with Justitia-it
is of his own seeking. What | have said
touching a certain trial with which "Justitia"
had nothing to do. is before the people; let
them Judge. "Justitia" says he should be
justified in denouncing me as guilty of will
full falsehood because did not give the exact
language of the Court. Why didn't &C. H."
consult the minutes of the official reporter.
exclaims "Justitia" Why didn't "Justita"
do so before he denounces me as guilty Of
misrepresentation? He did no such thing.
But ''Justitia" saws that &C. H." persists in
his version. | did insist and do now. did
not declare his statement incorrect. for he
guage on that occasion as contained in my
last letter" There is not one word of the
kind he represents in his first letter. He
saws this ''The Court did not instruct as
&C. H.. stated" which shows nothing, proves
nothing | stated what l believed to be the
fact, and from authority entitled to respect.
| may be wrong, but "Justitia's" simple
negative does not show it, as all fair
minds will at once admit. All his impotent
rage is for nothing. But "Justitia" not sat
isfied. goes from this to other matters about
which he and | have had no controversy, and
opens his TRADE of abuse In answer to what
have said about the great expense and suffer-
ing incurred by the people from the sale of
liquor, he says it is all "bluster," "has not
word of truth in it,
He speaks of parading tax bills. / have
done no such thing. Three thousand dollars
/ have paid, and the eighty within the last six
months is exclusive of all tax bills-paid in
an honest endeavor to save some ofm near
and dear friends from the terrible scourge OF
strong drink-to restore them to family and
home, but all in vain. / ask no sympathy.
but demand justice. He filings out mess
of statements which he labels statistics. "
l gave statistics, and facts that art open to
the inspection of all, TO the correctness of
which, any County Official | think, will bear
his cloth--''delicate fingers, ''etheral ma
ture' | trust will have its proper influence
among all decent men. ''Justitia" drags in
the Mayor, Aldermen and other city officials,
and tells you what they say in order TO show
my insincerity as friend of temperance.
The officers named by ''Justtia" know that
rum is sold all along Water street. Some of
them are carrying the victims of the traffic to
our Jail almost every day. The officers whom
'Justitia" names are men who need no aid
from me when they are in earnest. 1t is sold
right under their noses. In fact one
of the officers named above admitted to
me all | have said about the nom
enforcement of the law, and added further
that he was powerless-had no influence in
the matter-that the existing state of things
was shameful In ract, what he said, proved
the ground work # my charge that there was
neglect on the part of the city government
to execute the law. beg the people to read
carefully "Justitia" and what | have written
touching the matters in controversy, and
judge between us. would cali attention to
the unpretending manner in which "Justitia''
starts out in his long and wordy article: 81
am a gentleman" "a fair-minded man." "a
candid, intelligent man" exclaims Justitia.
Nothing egotistical about that: | think he
should have added, nor even like ''this poor
publican" &c. H." and then the picture
would have been complete.
think it hardly becoming a man of cour-
age to stand behind fictitious name and cry
coward. 1t is too much like the kid in the
fable. Let "Justtia" come to the front, and
let the people judge between u.s. and when he
comes he will be found to be a lawyer without
ga brief in some way interested in the sale
of alcoholic liquors.
''.Justita" bids adieu to the subject. So do
I, feeling quite sure "Justitia's" reputation is
secured at least so faI as his vanity and
egotism are concerned.
CHAs. HEwINs.