The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-10-13
RANSOM AND TILJMAN.
HE WHO CASTS MUD MUST IGN-
PECT 10 BE SPIASHED-TIIN
DAVID AND GOLIATH BUSI.
NESS.
The Joyncs MISUNDERSTANDING Differ
ent Opinions About tho Importance
of Truth-Rcasons for Declin-
ing Some Very Good Adj
vice.

To the Editor Of the Ne,rS oad Con-
ricr: I have not been in Il hurry to
answer Capt. Tillmans latest pro.
duction, because | did not care to
cause an explosion somewhere be.
tween Roper's and Hamburg that
might bring on another earthquake.
In Capt. Tillman's present excited
condition prompt reply would have
been dangerous to the community in
which he lives, and l have some
friends living in that section Of the
State whose welfare I regard Keep
cool, Captain. For about one year
you have indulgcd in harsh criticism
Of other people, and you should not
get angry now if small dose Of
your own medicine, slightly diluted,
is administered to you.
Capt. Tillman has almost literally
verified my prediction, that he would
decline to discuss the questions he
himself raised, and give the read.
crs of the News and Courier instead
column or two Of Billinsgatc. |
missed the quantity. as he had only
about one column, but exhausted
himself in that effort and made up
in quality. He boldly asserted, in
his unwarranted and venomous ut.
tack upon me, that if | desired to
defend the department Of agriculture
he would guarantee to give nc
"cnough." lie did not say enough
Of what, but if he meant, as | sus-
pectcd, enough OF vulgarity he has
kept his word; but ifhc meant enough
Of the discussion concerning; the de-
partmcnt of agriculture he has, as
usual, failed to redeem his pledge
1t will be impossible to follow
Capt. Tillman through this second
TRADE, and it would be entirely out
ofplace to do SO, rs your rcadcs have
doubtless had "cnough'' OF this sort
Of discussion. I may be pardonc =,
however, for noticing some Of his
statements, but before doing so, beg
to remind Capt Til)man that he has
SO far only made one specific charge
against the department Of agricul-
turc, that in regard to the ,alyses Of
fertilizers, and the public know til:
disposition Of that matter.
In this communication Capt. Till.
man says that I made an unprovokcd
attack upon him and, almost in the
same breath, declares that he had
previously told me that l was q
"mercenary scribblcr fighting for my
clcrkship.' Docs this not constitute
a provocation lie goes on TO say
that l did not deny the "damning
charges" that he made against my
character. Is it no provocation for
a man to make "damniny charges"
that are untrue against another? ? But
he says | did not even deny these
"damning charges" We'll, having
impeached the credihility OF the wit
ness, q denial Of his charges was
rendered unnecessary.
But Capt. Tillman goes on to show
to the people why he could not chal-
lenge. use natures weapons, or en-.
gage in 4 street fight with me to pun
ish me for my 'insinuations" against
him. Constituting himself judge,
jury and defendant, he tries this
question and renders q decision in
his own favor. "Physically," he says,
81 am not his equal Unfortunatc-
ly for Capt. Tillman he has placed
himself in such position before the
people Of South Carolina that all Of
Of his statements require proof.
This one is like unto the others that
have gone before and similar TO
those that arc to come hereafter. But
Capt. Tillman says that he has also
been assaulted by the members Of
the board Of agriculture and the com.
missioner. So far as | am aware
only two members Of the board and
the commissioner have ever noticed
him. One Of these members weighs
about 250 pounds, the other is about
Capt. Tillman's size, and the com.
missioner stands six feet two inches.
Were these gentlemen more than his
equals "physically ?" I am sure
that | do not know how Capt. Till.
man can crafty his pugilstic pro.
pensitics, unless by the ancient meth.
od Of lcngthcning or shortening q
man until he has been enlarged or
reduced to Capt. Tillman's dimcn.
sions. But | can assure him that
am not warrior, "doughty' or other
wise, and peace does not disturb my
rest.
do not doubt Capt. Tillmans 8
statement that under some circum-
stances his answer would have been
n "challcngc." lie is fond of chal-
lenging. but when his challenges arc
accepted he somehow or other man.
ages to make it understood that he
did not mean them. For instance ::
lie challenged me to defend the de-.
partment Of agriculture. I thought
l accepted. lie replies by calling
me ugly names and making faces at