The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-20
"This Looks Bad"

mou LO ISaO duu 1ce1l IL tuC pu1 HooOo ouO
aims of the Alliance; and in order to
do this they should read the writings
of friends, for they could not look for
fair dealings and an impartial showing
from those unalterably opposed to the
Alliance. mentioned as q fact also
that farmers Governor and Legis-
lature elected under the same indu-
ences, could do little or nothing to the
satisfaction of certain irreconcilsbles.
also said some newspapers in their
blind opposition to all originating from
this source, even 60 so far as to drag
down into contempt the laws of the
land, and worse still even sympathize
with law breakers. Now this is such
a notorious fact that candid men dare
not deny it.
Occasionally we find man on your
side like Mr.. Blake, of Greenwood, who
dares to stem the tide and write down
the fact that South Carolina needs
newspapers that will teach obedience
to the laws Of the land. You were
upon the ground and I said, for your
benefit that your editorial did "look
bad" that while you admitted that law
should not be violated, the piece was in
reality q paipable attempt to create
sympathy for law breakers.
In your reply Of Aug. 30th, you COM
plain of this Just criticism and attempt
to soothe your wounded feelings by
boasting of your perfection. You say
"these small calibre politicians can find
no flaw" in you without "abuse and
Misrepresentation"
What next, Mr.. Editor! You say:
"But in in the end that sort Of thing
will rebound on their own heads with
ten times the force they sent it." Is
this prophesy, friendly warning or
q threat?
If q prophesy or warning, would
ask has it become dangerous to main
tain the right and dcnounce evil? You
have Just told me that "as long as one
is conscious Of doing the right as he
sees it, these filings cannot hurt or harm
him." Ifa threat, Mr. Editor, "thst
looks bad" in one in whom we "can
find no flaw" ask you to republish
that editorial of July 10Th, also your
profound disquisition on small calibre
politicians of Aug. 30th. Now, Mr..
Editor, you must excuse me for not
thanking you earlier, for live on
star (lesser light route some distance
from town and before writing I took
the pains to secure copy of the edito-
rial, which I had been so rash as to at
tempt to criticise. Of course I must
thank you for the fattering mention
given me under the head of "Some
lesser Lights" in your account of the
day at Sligh's. But, Mr.. Editor, you
have disturbed our equanimity. What
dire VENGEANCE awaits US time alone can
prove. Don't stab US in the dark or
strike Us unawares. Such "iittle fiings
can not hurt or harm" you, then why
pour out upon our heads your wrath
ten times augmented?
Now when you take delight week
after week in playing critic, you should
not claim aImonoply of the business, for
you can imagine what privilege it ia
for US to hit back when All opportunity
offers. If editors do not hold exclusive
rights, may we not presume to play
critic sometimes?
AS to the qualifications for critic,
suppose you learn lesson from your
candid contemporary. In his "hon-
est confession" of Aug. 10th, he
says: "Five Newberrians of at least
average intelligence and information
met and began a discussion Of the s'f-
nancial question" In less than three
minutes each one acknowledge be
"didn't k7aoavd thing about it,"
may know nothing of the influence
of such an editorial as the one under
took to criticise, but I had some opinions
which expressed and I leave the pub
lie to judge.
Iwould impress these truths upon
my countrylnen, that tits presumpti
to claim to know it all, but. with every
opportunity for acquiring information,
it is servile for free citizen to refuse to
think for himself and accept blindly
the sentiments of some self.constituted
'tleader of thought"
regret very much that you did not
have copy of July 10Th with you at
Sligh's, for besides this editorial, there
were three other subjects dealt with,
on your editorial page. is a partisan
and biased manner. Mr.. Editor, don't
think me in bad temper, or mad at
you when speak plainly.
We ought to be able to differ, and
even to criticize without anger, but to
be misquoted by "iesser light" of "a
small calibre" wheh one has mo flaw"
is really to put perfection at discount,
and tits provoking enough to justify
ten fold punishment.
Publish that editorial that all may
read: Estate spies broke lose in
Charleston" ins! cad of cous' ables doing
their duty. Although you say there is
''no doubt the account is overdrawn"
you deliberately take sides with the
law-breaker, a. instead Of criticising
bis "overdrawn account" you play
friar for the ID aud publish bis ap-
peal to "Christian community';,
wherein he tells that constables threat
en- to drag to the guard bouse innocent
and helpless women. In that next
room were some liquors, wine and
beer" >. and those spies "6fIed their
pockets" with cigars and the poor
misused fellow "nissed gold watch
and chain." This is enough to have
provoked rebuke from any truth loving
man, but instead you say,
1st. "But because be did sell little
beer we see no reason"
End. "rhese spies induced him to
sell them the beer for the purpose of
entrapping him."
Sd. I'VE have an inexpressible con-
tempt for :. system 80. to capture
violators Of the law"
4th. Law .. unworthy to have a
place on the statute books of free and
liberty loving people"
You minimize the culprit's crime,
censure the spies for entrapping him,
vent your 'inexpressible contempt for
any such system to capture law-break-
ers" and in the name of freedom and
liberty cry down the law.
Now, Mr. Editor, prize the good will
of My fellowman, bnt I shall brook the
of any one who, pursues
such a course, for shall not hesitate
to criticise under similar circumstances.
II you would avoid it lake Sam Jones'
advice and "quit your meanness."
Respectfully,
J. T. DUNCAN.
rur wu7Tr HcUSE RARy