The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1885-09-18

ed the other way OH these ques-
tions. The readers of the Augusta
Chronicle don't want any other
headlight but Walsh aud Randall,
aud prohibition stands a poor
chance in the limits of their juris-
dictiOn. SO the truth is, that
man had better take half dozen
good papers for fear of drifting into
prejudices, and l am not sure but
that man ought to belong to sew
eral churches to keep down his MA
tural bigotry.
There is another reason why an
editor onght to be more careful than
other people. Other people have
no paper to fight back with. Ii
every man had an organ of bis own
then we could grind ont OuT quar-
rels and keep even. Nobody cares
how much editors abuse one anOth-
er. In fact, We sOrter like it,
aud stand Oft and say, "NOw, let
them fight" Nobody parts them
or wants to. They cut and slash
round at other people SO much that
when they begin OH one another ii
is a relief and recess to the
public.
But editors have a right hard
time in dealing with public men
and public measures. 1t is not easy
to determine where criticism ends
and SANDER begins. Sometimes
they wake up the wrong passenger
and get into trouble. l heard a
good story about an editor who had
slashed around at some fellow in
his morning paper aud one big
rough chap went up stairs to hunt
him aud asked if he was the editor.
He said no, but be would step out
and call him, and he asked him to
take - seat. AS he went out he
met another feller going up to take
satisfaction, aud on being asked it
the editor was in, he said yes, and
pointed to the first man. So the
second man sailed iu and began Oh
him and they both mauled each
other up terribly, to the great de-
light OF the editor. But they don't
get off after that fashion generally.
Sometimes they have to take back
what they said, and that is right,
and should be done at all times
when he says anything he hatent
ought to. There is no use in wait
ing for a challenge or a board OF
referees. But this is an old mans
idea. A young man who has got
spurs and is good looking, can't see
what the spnrs are for il he don't
get on the fence and flap his wings
aud crow occasionally. Ii is nigh
~ hard for Il young man to take
back. 1t is not so much his self
respect that is concerned as it is
his respect for the public. He is
afraid Of public opinion, and that
is Just where the mistake comes in,
for the public had rather have them
fight than not. The public don't
care. They banker after the excite.
ment just like folks banker after a
bull fight, or dog fight, or chicken
fight. When men are at outs it is
a good thing TO have mutual friends.
Sure enough friends, who don't
want them TO fight, and will step in
and tell them what is right and
proper under the circumstances,
Of course they knew before, aud II
they had been of on an island all
by themselves they would have
apOlogized and shook hands and
kissed each other, but there was SO
many folks looking on they could
ent do it aud bad to have help. No
true gentleman will fight gentle
man. Nobody respects a lnaH who
challenges a gentleman aud kills
him. He becomes a social Outcast
The palm of his hand has blood
on it. Aaron Burr never survived
1t. A gentleman will always take
back what he said If he said too
much, aud ii he didn't, why ther
let him stand to it and not hghi
either. A man fights duel to prove
that he was justified III what he
said or that he has personal cOuT
age. Tue result of the duel proves
neither, for his personal courage
was at last a fear of public opinion,
and that is a low kind OF cowardice
Editors especially bave no right to
set snch an example. They should
soar above ii. And then, besides,
we can't spare such men as Larry
CAN'T. He is too useful, too clev'
er, too amlable, aud be has fam
lily. / have great respect for him
aud have noted his progress WITH
satisfaction. IdOu't know Mr.. Con
nell, but no doubt be Is good man,
too, but overly sensitive, reckon,
He lacks age. Old Father Time
will mellow US all down aud then
We look back aud see how childish
we behaved when we we're younger,
and we see, too, what narrow es'
capes we made, and are grateful
that we had mutual friends.
Speaking OF taking back what he
said reminds me of the first law
case ever had. l was studying
law but didn't know auy, aud so
was Tom Alexander, aud be didu't
know any tho. he sued a teller in
Justices court for thirty dollars
worth OF slaBder. The teller had
accused a nabor OF stealing his bog,
aud so he employed me to defend
him. T0m aud l eavOrted before
the jury for two hours, and hually
the jury went out and set on log