The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1886-07-31
THE EDITOR OF TIE SHREVEPORT
TIMES AS A TEACHER.

From tho ADVENT OF MT. CuaIAcS
Med. Puckette into journalism as the
editor of the Shreveport Times up TO
short time ago we regarded him as
one Of the brightest rs well as most
fair, dignifisd and consistent of writer's.
OF late, however, he has assumed
grandiloquent strut and a self-impor-
lance which is literally crushing. With
one bound he sprang from the peda'
gogue's chair squarely astfide the Fri
pod, and ulereupou the coneeit pos
sesses him that he is the apostle OF
lofty journalism in Louisiana. But
this mission does not engross him, and
we now find him again in the role OF
the teacher, with Judge Gunby as his
unwilling, though acquiescent pupil.
He would teach Judge Gunby that
National Aid to Education, when adj
vocated by him, is the rankest Of here
sizes, but under the magic touch OF MIR.
Blanchard, it becomes a benefaction.
He, desires to inculcate in Judge Gun
by's stoiid cranium' that the Federal
government did not manumit some
eight millions slaves in the South and
elevate them to citizenship co-equal
with that of their former masters; that
though this equality of citizenship
carries with it the right of franchise
and self government, the education of
this newly created social and political
factor, is not a necessity and no federal
action could create such necessity.
We believe that Judge Gunby is
conceded, even by those who oppose
his candidacy, to be a man of at least
fair abilities and respectable attain>
ments, aud yet we fear that the editor
of the Times will have put on his ped
agogic vestments in vain.
We do not believe he can induce
Judge dunby to adopt his funny no.
tions, aud this makes us sorry for
Judge Gunby, for the editor of the
Times has threatened "to carry the
war into Africa" meaning, no doubt,
the parishes that compose the Fifth
Congressional district. But VIC do not
believe, again, that the editor of the
Times will be able to impress his views
upon more than two of the citizens OF
"Africa," and these two declared them
selves, in advance of the editor of the
Times, and moreover. they are friends
of Judge Gunby's. And this makes
u sorry for the editor OF the Times for
it is coming to pass that one may hear
such epithets as "insoIent' and s'im-
pertinent" freely used when his inter-
ference In the affairs of this district is
mentioned.
AS we said ut the outset, we admire
pungent, racy aud fscile writer, and in
time he may become first class news
paperman. But the time is not yet.
He must read for himself the literature
of the great questions Of public policy
that are are now engaging the attcn-
ton and thought of tho American
people before he eau hope to discuss
them with intelligence. And in saying
this much we do not desire to be
understood rs arroga,ipg TO The Tele-
graph that which we deny TO the
Times. Nor do wc deny 10 the Times
the right to criticize in fair and
dignified way the views of the candi-
dates for Congress in this Distict !; but
to make silly and boyish threats against
any candidate is 10 become pestiferous,
If not impertiuent. The Times, 1t
would seem, is stung and goaded into
pnerility by its own impotence, and
this same impotence imbues us with
feeling Of charity and condonation
towards the Times. 1t will not be out
OF place, in concluding these, our final
respects, to the editor of the Times, to
state that there is reason for Mr..
P0ckette's repugnance to Judge Gun-
by's candidacy for Congress. 1t must
be apparent to the readers ofthe Times
that Its editor is indissoluhly welded
to the Hon. NJ. G. Blanchard, the
present member OF Congress from the
Fourth District. One but needs to