Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-10
FINALLY.
To the Editor of the Dispatch :


To the Editor of the Dispatch :
In pronouncing the statement that
was in party utilization with the Re-
adjusters in the days Of their ascend
ancy in Virginia as being utterly
without truth used this mild form
Of expression out Of respect to the read
ers of the Dispatch. might have
used a stronger word and placed before
that word the word malicious, as an
article in to-day's Dispatch by the same
writer shows. lie says: What !
wrote was written without any personal
feeling of ill-will to him, and was
meant only to counteract in some mel-
sure the injurious effect of his incon-
siderate zeal in the cause Of tempe
rance"
So, then, in cold. calculating blood,
be makes personal attack upon me, in
the form of false statement, in order
to counterfeit my efforts in behalf Of the
great cause Of temperance. Is this to
be the manner of conducting this dis
cussion on the part Of the friends Of the
liquor traffic? Not with all Of them.
not with many of them, hope. There
are true men amongst them-men who
regard the truth and personal character.
Now, without the slightest regard for
the opinions or person Of this man who
has chosen to assail me, | desire to
make the following statements to any
and to all who may feel any interest in
the matter:
Some five or six years ago received
a circular.letter signed by Mr.. W. l..
Roy all, secretary of q society com.
posed of a number Of leading ministers
and others, having in view some plan
for the payment Of the public debt, re-
questing me to unite with the society.
and to form a similar society in my
community. published in the Wig
an article giving my reasons for not ac-
ceding to this request. This is the ar
ticle to which reference is made by this
veraciOus writer. This article may
have accorded with the views Of the
Wing or it may not. ] have n,ver
known much about the Wing | never
read as much as column in it in my
life, excepting that article which |
wrote myself.
wrote only two articles for the
press during 1885. One of these APP
peared simultaneously in the Religions
Herald and Christian Adc0cdte. Both
were published in the Airocafe. The
character Of both these papers is such
as to disprove the statement that |
published in other newspapers arti-
cles marked by much bitterness Of ex-
preston" OF the article in the Her
aid, the gentle and discreet editor Of
that paper thus spoke "This article
is well worthy Of thoughtful reading.
1t is from the pen of an excellent Me-
thodist pastor Of Richmond-a brother
whom we sincerely honor and love.
lie discusses burning question and
he touches it with burning pen."
But The truth is alwGys bitter IL the
untrue. The temperance-men now
have some little Indications Of the
character Of the contest upon which
we are entering with the liquor traffic.
False charges are to be made against
us, improper motives are to be ascribed
to us, personal character is to be TIA
duced, vituperative epithets, such as
frauds" " fanatics," - FOOLS"
"craDks," &C., are to be thrown at us.
But, my brethren, be not terrified by
these things. We are fighting for the
cause Of God and humanity.
Having shown how much reliance is
to be placed upon the statements Of the
man who has assaled me, shall pay
no further attention to him, but 60
steadily forward in the same course
have pursued for over thirty years in
regard to the temperance cause.
Respectfully,
Ii. c. CHEATHAM.
March q 1870