The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1882-09-30

ium Of unjustifiable aspersions upon the
characters of other men, than he would
be, were he the open and avowed author
of every defamatory communication that
found place in his columns.
1t is the sickliest bubble, the weakest
plea of confession and avoidance, to urge
as an extenuation of the unwarranted
attacks made in the Democrat, upon the
official character and personal habits Of
Judge Stump, that they were issued
and published without Mr.. Cruik hanks
editorial sanction.
The fact that they were published at
all, and in Mr.. Cruikshank's interest,
gives them a baser tinge, for no one is
sapient enough to doubt, that word Of
disapproval from him would have pre-
vented their publication.
Certain it is that calumny and detrac-
ton never won victory worth the hav-
ing. The wonder is that our cotempo-
rary has in his canvass overlooked so
plain an aphorism.
His dilemma is disagreeable one Ger
tainly.
Should he win the contest that another
politician who hates him cordially has
precipitated, not really for his-Mr.
Cruikshank's benefit-but solely for Mr..
Constablc's own, the editor OF the Demo-
crat will carry with him into the judicial
chair, the painful reflection that he has
attained the coveted seat by questiona-
BILE political means, which he himself it
is true did not personally practice, but
in the fruits of which he shares.
On the other hand, should he fail!
What a contingency to contemplate,
after abandoning ones friends to trust
ones fortunes in the hands OF an enemy
and then-defeat.
If that destiny awaits Mr.. Cruikshank,
possibly we shall have more sympathy
for him than many Of his own party.
1t is not of course surprising that imi-
tating Mr. Cruikshank's bad example in
auouing his newspaper to be made the
medium OF traduction Of another Demo-
crat whose place Mr.. Cruikshank wanted
Tor himself, the alleged editor of the otAer
Democratic newspaper should have re-
peated the sins against journalistic de-
cency Of his elder pearty brother.
1t is true in his case, that the plea Of
ignorance rather than design may in a
measure extenuate his offence. That
he has merely been the weaker tool of
other and stronger minded men.
At least measuring bis manhood by
any evidence he has ever furnished the
world of the possession OF either intelli-
gence or of sensibility, we shall be OBJ
liged to Judge him by very low stand
ard of personal accountability.
Isn't it, in all candor. almost next to
impossible to reconcile the inherent
meanness betrayed in the following con-
versation between Judge Stump and this
journalistic and -Esculapian mountebank
with the slightest claim to ordinary
manliness?
The conversation was an accidental
one, and occurred very recently on the
streets of EIkton, the self-restrained man
ner and expostulatory tone of the elder
being in marked contrast with the nerv-
Gus and hesitating air of the younger
man.
Mr.. Frazer you certainly have no
ground for personal ill-will or feeling
towards me??''
"N-o, certainly n OF, on the con-
trary, have the highest personal respect
for you, Judge. W-h-y,-y-es,-cert
ly have,' was the apprehensive reply.
"Then why, Mr.. Frazer, do you, week
after week, publish in your paper arti-
Giles SO personally abusive of me? do
not" continued Judge Stump, "desire
to talk over OF discuss these articles at
all, but l wish simply to state a case to
you and have you think and sleep over
it. Suppose, said he, "while you are 4
doctor that | were the editor of news
paper. That you were an applicant for
some high position in your profession.
and 1 were to publish you as quick,
that you knew nothing about your pro-
fession, and that you were drunken
and worthless whelp generally and with
out sense; wouldn't you cherish pretty
hard feelings towards me-"
"B -t.-b-u-t, the abusive articles
you refer to were not written by me;
they were written by others, and
they uere paid for as entertainments
pleaded this editor.
"But, was the reply, "what difference
would that make to you, or in your feel
ings, were you the party abused or viii
fed? Would the injury to your feelings
be lessened by that fact %
This unanswerable reply ended the in
terview.
What commentary upon decent jour-
nalism, when the proprietor of news
paper csnfesses that the paltry consider
alton of five cents line is sufficient
monetary inducement for aspersing the
character of a gentleman in high stand
ing and Judge upon the Bench of Mary
land, and for whom the sordid editor
processes to cherish the highest personal
respect.
What prostitution Of one S office.
Can partisanship indeed be baser?
And yet this is the legitimate huit Of
the Cruikshankian policy of this judicial
canvass.
Stripped of its garb Of responsibility,
what mean and sordid aims it discloses,
what selfish aspirations it uncovers, what
groveling ambition, what dishonest con-
trivance, what base fears. wicked hatreds
and ignoble hopes it exhibits.
Can such policy succeed?
We shall see.
EXTRACTION REFORM.
Not little apprehension is felt in Phil
adelphia that the attempt to extradite