The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-10-28
WILLIAMS FILTH.

In all matters pertaining to local poll
tics we have carefully refraiued from say
ing anything that would be offensive to
men whom we respect, although their
politics differ from ours. We do not be-
lieve that partisanship should sever
friendship or be bar to mutual course-
sy and friendly association. If the dem
ocratic local managers brought to the
city vituperative and brutal bully to in
suit men whose standing in society none
can question, but who are republicans in
politics, We would publicly disapprove of
the act and denounce the bully. Charles
G. Williams speech was an insult to the
intelligence of his audience, an outrage
on propriety and a coarse, brutal attack
on men 80 far above him in conception of
good manners that comparison fails to
express the difference. No matter what
his natural coarseness Of manner, it was
not too much to suppose that his associa-
tons had brought sufficient refinement
to have him eschew such words as
''pimps" and ''den's of infamy" in ad-
dressing an Audience largely compo sed
of ladies. 1t was not too much to expect
that congressman, although stalwart,
would carefully exclude profanity from
his discourse. So thorough was the APP
probation of the grave trespass upon pro-
prety wher Mr.. Williams oaths, al
though quoted, broke upon the ear, that
even the coarse claquers were shocked.
Inherent decency asserted itself for an
instant and the momentary silence which
| followed showed that the audience, in
sympathy with the speaker as they were,
were undecided whether to hiss or APP
plaud. That instant of silence, the pro-
test of decency, should have warned the
speaker that his rudeness was offensive,
but perhaps he was undeceived by the
long continued applause with which the
oath was received when coarseness had
prevailed over natural sense of propriety.
Again and again the oaths were repeated.
Ladies hung their heads in shame while
men grew frenzied in their manifestations
of delight.
So far as argument WIS concerned the
speech was as barren as Sahara. Not
single issue Of the day was discussed.
That which Appropriated toward an ar
gument was taken bodily from Conkling's
speech. His talk about republican and
democratic soldiers came with very poor
grace from him who was not o soldier al
though he is endowed with fine ply
sique and the appearance of great physi-
cal strength. Bragg, the ''little giant, ;"
though weak in body has soldiers re-
cord of which any man may be proud.
Of the five congressman sent by the re-
publican party from Wisconsin, not one
took part in the war. The same is true
of both its republican senator's. Of the
three congressman sent by the democrats
two have been soldiers. But the effront.
cry OF Williams was not to be overcome
by any obstacle even when interposed by
truth and reason.
People throughout the city heard so
much of Williams that there was curl
osity to hear and see the man. No one
anticipated that he would take advantage
OF his position as public speaker to of
fer gratuitous and unprovoked Insults to
those who helped to swell his audience.
Every person expects to hear invective
and ridicule from opposition speakers.
But no gentleman ever descends to the
low, vulgar assaults which characterized
Congressman Williams address. His
blatant and ribald rawlings were an insult
alike to reason and to decency. Repub
licans of Manitowoc should join in de-
nouncing q BLACKBOARD who thus coarsely
assails their friends aud neighbors.