The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-08-23

of warfare, which consists in making a
loud noise and in emitting vile odors. A
member of Congress pours out food of
denunciatory words in the utmost rhet-
orlcal confusion, and seems to suppose
that he has dismayed his opponent be-
cause he has made tremendous noise
He is only an overgrown boy, who, like
some other boys, imagnes that he is very
heroic when he shakes his head, and
pouts his lip, and clenches his fist, and
" calls names" in a shrill and rasping
tone. Other members, who ought to
know better, pretend to regard his per-
formances as worthy of applause, and
metaphorically pat him on the back and
cry, st, boyl" They only share-and
in greater degree, because they know
better-the contempt with which he is
regarded.
In the same way newspaper writer
attacks views which are not acceptable to
him, not with argument, or satire, or wit,
or direct refutation, but by metaphoric-
ally emptying Stops, and directing whirl-
winds of bad smells upon their support
eZs. The intention seems to be, not to
confute the arguments, but to disgust the
advocates. The proceeding is confess
sion that the views are SO evidently cor
rect that'they will inevitably prevail I'M
less their supporters can be driven away
This is an ingenious policy, for guns GER
tainly can not be served if the gunners
are dispersed. Men shrink from ridicule
and ludicrous publicity. However con-
scious of rectitude man may be, it is
exceedingly disagreeable for him to see
the deadwalls and pavements covered
with posters proclaiming that he is a, liar
and fool. If he recoils, the enemy
laughs in triumph if he is Indifferent,
there is fresh whirlwind.
A public man wrote recently to a friend
that he had seen an attack upon his con-
duct in great journal, and had asked
his lawyer to take the necessary steps to
bring the offender to Justice. His friend
replied that he had seen the attack, but
that 1t had no more effect upon him than
the smells from Newtown Greek. They
were very disgusting, but that was all.
This is the inevitable result of black
guardism. The newspaper reader, as he
sees that one man supports one measure
because his wlte's uncle is interested in
1T, and another man another measure to
crafty his grudge against rival, grad
ually learns from his daily morning men
tor that there is no such thing as honor,
decency, or public spirit in public affairs
he chuckles with the club cynic, although
for very different reason, and forgets
the contents of one column as he begins
upon the next. If man covers his milk
toast, his breakfast, his lunch, dinner,
and supper with coating of Cayenne
pepper, the pepper becomes as things in
general became to Mr.. Toots-of no con-
sequence.
This kind of fury in personal denunci-
alton Is not force, as young writer's sup
pose; it is feebleness. Wit, satire, bril-
liant sarcasm, are, indeed, legitimate
weapons. 1t was these which Sydney
Smith welded in the early EdinburqI
Re0ae10. But calling names" and echo
ing the commonplace of affected con-
tempt, that is too weak even for Timon
to chuckle over, except as evidence of
mental vacuity. The real object in hon
est controversy is to defeat your oppo-
nent and leave him a friend. But the
Newtown Creek method is fatal to such
a result. OF course that method often
wins. But it always fails
when directed against a resol1te and
earnest purpose. The great causes per
SYST through seeming defeat to victory.
But to oppose them with sneers and black
guardlsm is to affect to dam Niagara with
a piece of paper. The crafty old LAWYER
advised the younger to reserve his abuse
until he felt that he had no case. Judge
Grover remarked that it was when the
case was lost that the profanity began
EDITORS EASY CHAIR, in Hmper'S Mao-
az'ne for September.