The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1882-02-16
BRooKHAvEN, Feb. II, 80

Editor DROOlAIANEN LEDtER.-
My attention has been called to-day to
an article in the Free Press, mushroom
concern, published partly here and partly
in Baltimore, patent inside, in fact, with
neither "a local habitation or name," in
which he says the article by "Cortez," pub
lished in the last number OF your paper, ac
cusing him of sordid motives in the publi-
cation of Serious Words No. 3, and the pc
tition for apology from you, is ABSOLUTE
LY FALSE.
For one moment ask indulgence OF you
and your many readers in order to analyze,
if possible, his attack upon me, and show
where the falsehood really is, promising my
remarks, however, with the assertion that if
| fail to prove to all candid readers of your
paper mot Free Press readers, understand
that the paper was gotten up by the editor
of the Press, and few more of his ilk, to
injure you among the nonresident sub
scribers and advertisers, am willing to ac-
knowledge my error, or give the gentleman
whatever satisfaction his wounded feelings
may demand.
LIST. Is not the Free Press published part
ly in Brookhaven? If so, for what pur-
puse is the publication made? Is it merely
to vindicate truth, eliminate falsehood, and
otherwise fill the Heaven born mission OF
journalism? Is there no hope Of pecuniary
reward or remuneration for his efforts in
behalf of suffering humanity, and the out
ragged feelings OF the signers of the petition
for apology, he runs paper "free gratis and
for nothing" open to all who may find
grievance against the Ledger to vent the
venom OF their spleen? Truly his humani-
tarianism is great, organ of benevolence
hugely developed, and his purse strings
loose and purse necessarily heavy if he
charges nothing for ads. or subscription and
runs his paper solely for grandeur, glory
and renown.
End. Is not the Ledger published in
Brookhaven? home paper with no aid
from Northern or Western editors or press
es to purchase paper, type, &c, relying sole
ly for its success and support upon its mer-
its? And such being the case, does not an
article calculated to injure its merits de-
tract from its usefulness, injure its editor
and benefit materially the paper published
in the same town, from which the injurious
article emanates, and in which it is pub
lished?
Mr.. Free Press, your accusation is too
thin, your object too transparent. He who
runs may read the sordid motive prompting
your assault; and l, having made the accu-
sation which you say is false, prove that it
is not, and that you assert simply what you
cannot prove, and I fancy that as your pa
per has made so many mistakes in the pub
LEGATION of names not appended that it will
require something besides your mere asser-:
ton to prove my charge untrue. Howev-
err, the burden OF proof is on you, and we
shall see how the honest jury decides be-
tween us.
A word to Mr.. Benedict, and close. Lest
you should deem Cortez a myth, he desires
to say that he is not r. fl. Henry nor one
of any Co., stands simply on his own mer-
its and has the satisfaction of knowing that
his efforts are understood, appreciated and
endorsed by as good citizens as any signers
of the petition in Brookhaven; but would
ask, if Mr.. Henry's sole motive is making
money with the Ledger, and wants plenty
of advertisers and subscribers and he runs
the paper for that alone, what does the Free
Press man run his for? To keep the Led
ger from getting any or as few as may be?
Truly "the mountain has labored and
brought forth ridiculous mouse" Now,
having been brought into this unseemly
controversy inadvertently, and hoping its
folly would become apparent and it die
a natural death, l, with this number, with
draw, thanking those who endorse and APP
preciate my efforts and bowling to those who
honestly differ in opinion, assuring all Of
my best wishes, and that should it become
necessary to identify me note to the Led
ger signifying the desire will find me some
where around town. Respectfully,
CORTEZ.