The Lincoln County leader. [volume] (White Oaks, Lincoln County, N.M.) 1882-189?, 1884-02-16
DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER

We have had an editorial expc-
ricncc OF upwards of thirty years,
during which service we have ed
tied and published papers in sew
eral States, and hal some Terrific
rial anG much frontier experience,
but never have we observed such
Aippant, careless, reckless mang-
ling OF character INDUCED in by
the press, and men outside OF the
editorial profession, claiming to be
gentlemen, as in New Mexico
The latest ease is that of Judge
Axtell. Now we are not the cham
pion nor the apologist Of Judge a.
For aughtw know it might be bet
ter for society were he clothed in
stripes and doing his State some
service in prison, rather than pre-
siding as Chief Justice on our Ter
ritorial bench. But before Joining,
even plaintvely, in the cry against
him, we must have evidence. and
nothing can be more paipable than
that the charges Illuminated against
him by Webb, and others having
personal grievances, are utterly
groundless.
1t has been charged that through
personal application and influence
of ex-senator Dorsey, Joined by
the presence and opportunities of
the accused Judge, Garfield, at his
Chic home, promised Axtell an Of
fice--that A. was, and is, frequent
visitor at Dorsey's ranch--that a
certain dispatch was sent the Judge
by Atty Gen'l Brewster, showing
infamous ollusion, and several
other charges, more ol less henious
which, unchallenged and unam-
swcred are damning. But Axtell
asseverates that lie was never at
Mentor-that Garfield never prom
iscd him an othce-that he was
never on Dorsey's ranch-that he
never received but one communica-
ton from the Department Of Just
ice, at Washington, and that he
publishes, which shows no colIu-
sjon-and in the latter statement
he is corroboratod by the telegraph
managers. So he tears to tatters
all charges formulated against him
touching Lis record as Chief JUS
tice.
We simply refer to this case, not
in defense Of Judge AxtelI, but in
the interest of society. We would
have the old fashioned axiom fol
lowed: 1T you cannot speak well
OF a man speak no ILL.," Character
is too sacred a thing to trihe with.
1t took years for the noblest and
purest mortals the world ever knew
TO establish their characters, and
many who lived and died as the
noblest work of God" went dowu
to their graves with regulations tar
nished by the tongue Of caumny.
Men with hearts surcharged with
jealousy, prejudice, or what not,
very often forget, or are Indifferent
to the fact, that in firing their poi
soned javeIns at the good name of
the object of their hate, they not
only strike it, but pierce innocent
hearts which beat in love and con-
sanguinity with that Of the target.
Wife and children read and hear
the ISLANDERS and are panied. .-
Hearts which should be light and
gay, are freighted with sorrow
which time cannot unload. And
what does it profit the calumniat-
orr He may see his fellow fall be-
meath the respect of all who know
him, hear the walls OF the equally
stricken wife, and note the scalded
eyes of his sensitive children.
Can he gloat at the sight and
soundl A few short years and
prosecuted and prosecutor will be
lowered into their windowless
homes, when perdition will yawn