The daily gazette., 1883-10-23
Dail,raAI Gdzette
WmMINaTON. TUESDAY. 0CT. rs.
IRVING 60 sneak Out

Win It's GuhThCbcElbbtC uShuuESo anu Ato- |
regard for truth the Every Evening is now
endeavoring to founder out of the pit it un-
Willingly dug for itself when 1t undertook,
with an arrogant assumption of superior
knowledge and selteonceit, to declare that
the people of Delaware lacked education
and culture, and were fast becoming en-
tirely absorbed In the pursuit of |
worldly wealth. In extenuation 1t non-
sensically, nay, idlotically, declares that the
GAZETTE, with characteristic dema-
gogism," wrested "from its context an |
editorial paragraph" In order to make
grounds for It's charge.
Now, whether the editorial paragraph was |
''wrested from Its context" or not makes |
not the slightest difference. 1t was taken |
from the editorial columns Of EVery EVe'i,.g,
and contained what hundreds of
people conceive to be gross
and deliberate insult TO the name
and reputation Of our State In order that
there may be no Misunderstanding about
the matter we again reproduce the obnoxious
utterance, which the Eosry EVe,sing now at
tempts a silly apology for, upon the ridicu
lous pretense that its offensive features were
the sole result of It's having been "wrested
from the context" Here it is;
We are by no means sure, however, that
our people have fully recognized the fact
that while the system of local seifgoyern-
ment has enabled us to be honorably known,
nay famous, in politics, we have failed to
distinguished ourL elves in other lines OF
effort. Although our bar is marked By un-
usual purity of character our jurists, while
honest and able, have, save In one or two
instances, been little known beyond the
State limits. We do not at this moment re-
call q single literary man of even moderate
fame, born and bred in Delaware, while In
several other lines of effort the names of
Delawareans are conspicuous by their alb
sence. In scholarly attainment we are
equally deficient, a small percentage OF
our youth being eollege-bred, and the
love of learning being yer largely sub
ordnated to the desire to get into the word
of business and money making at early age.
Wilmington, which we may suppose to
show the results of our highest activities,
proves all that we have said. The city
shows itself upon its face to be the homo of
small, Industrious, highly prosperous,
but moderately cultured community. Our
rows of straight-lined houses proclaim home
comfort, but little else. Musicians COM
plain that we nave yet to learn the b Of
music, and we know, perhaps, very little
more of kindred arts. In the country dis
tricts again, we have much to learn of farm
ing. Modern methods and modern comforts
are not widely known among our farmers,
and stock of first rate breed is the exception
rather than the rule.
In answer to this insulting exhibition Of
concet and impudence the GAZETTE cited
two men thorn and bred in Delaware, /" who
certainly acquired mere than "moderat.
fame'' In literature-Dr. Robert Montgom
cry Bird, of New Castle, and the "Milfort
Bard.o This, we are now assured by TIL
concentrated essence of culture and literary
ability that condescends to control the edi
torlal columns of our shlpley street neigh
Dor, is merely "funny,' and VI
are further informed that the liter
AIRY abilities of these two gentlemen
will only be acknowledged by "people tha
read and accept the Firestde Con.panio,
and the New York Weekly as the highes
types of periodical literature"
We have before US as we write, hand
somely printed volume Just issued by tn
publishing house of Chas. scribner s. sont
OF New York, bearing the familiar title
1.-THE Merry Adventures of Robin Hood,
and profusely illustrated In the most artist
manner. The author and artist Is NJ
Howard Pyle, "bred," at least, If n,
"born" in Delaware, but we are reall
afraid to make the assertion that Mr.. Py
is q Literary man of even moderate fame,
lest we draw upon his innocent head the r.
tort that bis writings and artistic produ
tions might perhaps be considered merito
ious by many respectable people WI
consider the pictures In the Police Gdzet
and their accompanying explanations Il
choicest productions of the artists penc
and the authors pen.
We are now told by the "artful dodger
who is evidently considerably worried at ii
storm of indignation raised by his uDtrut
full and insulting declarations, that tt
Every Epeaing merely asserted that "De
aware has somewhat fallen behind In ii
study of polite arts." The ridiculo
falsity of this excuse will be appare
to any one who will read the entire par
graph, as we have quoted it above. 1t do
not stop at the ''polite arts" it does u
even m sntion them. 1t sweepngly decar
that the people of Delaware lack even mo
crate literary ability and culture, and are /
coming entirely absorbed In the pursuit
wealth. 1t is a false, malicious libel up
our people, and represents us as comm
nifty of money changers, willing to sacrif
culture, refinement and education in an
ordinate desire to become rich.
We believe that In proportion to popu
tIon the people of Delaware possess as mu
real culture and literary ability as do t
residents of any other State in the Unic
and that our farmers, as a class, are as p
gressiye and intelligent as can be fou
elsewhere. While stock breeding
not been carried on here as
business, it has received inte
gent attention at the hands of our agrc
turaiists aud nearly thirty years ago BrJ
jackson, one of the leading farmers of I
county, raised sheep that carried off all
premiums and were the pride of all
country fairs for miles around. Impro
grades of cattle and line horses are to