The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-07-13
NO. 30.
observations by Observer.

| EDITOR JoURNAL--Whilc | do not
know personally whether the alleged
oath OF the A. =. A. as detailed by
Equal Rights is correct or not, |
know from a perusal OF the article
that it furnished by one who, speak
ing mildly as possible, is at least II
moral perjurer, and consequently
whose evidence cannot receive amy
credence.
1t is quite in keeping with the silly
pretentious arrogance OF the crowd
which has given birth to that produc-
tion to imagine that they were doing
their cause some benefit by the en-
ployment and use of such despicablc
persons as would voluntarily take u
solemn obligation for the purpose of
betraying it.
The article OF Equal Rights" there
fore bears its own condemnation and
it is hardly worth while to cavi at its
baseness of expression: the greater
vileness swallows up the lesser.
There is decency OF principle and
decency of manner, and when we find
people destitute of both, we can fairly
esChew them, and despite the pre-
sumptiousness of their pretensions we
are justified in placing them where
they belong-outside the pale of
respectability.
1t is very easy to argue where one
allows hin,>e,t the privilege o. a,-;gu-
ing what motives and actions lie may
please to his opponent with such
people epithets supply the place oiargu-
ments, and the terms oi fanatic, bigot,
etc, are c}ewcd delectAbly ON the
tongue.
Americans are peculiarly Jealous OF
of their institutions and where they
conceive, whether rightly or wrongly,
that those institutions are threatened
by adverse influences are prone to
somewhat radical measures to secure
their safety; nor do tap-rupln argu-
whose strength lies in the cxuberancv
andvigor OF their abuse, serve II con-
vince them OF the unsoundness of
of their views.
A temperate showing OF adverse
views is always acceptable and as Il
means of conviction is supremacy bet
ter: threatening, bulld0zing. and the
like, are not ef}icacious methods Of
winning reluctant minds.
fail to see the intolerance III the
views of the A. p. A which Fair Play
alleges it is natural to man to enter
tain bias; we arc biased III orr own
favor always, generally biased i'll favor
of those holding similar views /" our
own; prejudiced against opposing
views. II argues poorly for mans
Judgment or observation il he thinks
in any manner biased by religious con-
siderations They have too much
sense to bring their religion into their
politics, and the comparative few who
are identified with amy religious OF
ganization are divided among the var
ious beliefs The fact is the A. p. \.
principles which tend 10 secure good
government, to repress the evil OF pro
fessional politics. to lessen the grasp OF
ring rule, to stifie the idea oi perpetual
office holding, iii short. to prevent and
cure the growing oppression oi mis-
government, are the principles which
strike the mind of the average Mason
county voter most forcibly.
Fair Play himself admits that it
would be proper under given circum-
stances to join hands to repress tie
evil of leagued foreign born voters
herded like cattle-well, it is not only
in large cities docs the evil prevail.
Here, here in Mason county too much
OF it is observable, and whiskey has
too often been used as the most CO.
gent persuader. To one thoroughly
acquainted with the political aspects
of Mason county, Fair Flay has afford
ed ali amply sufficient reason for the
existence of the A. i. A. in our com
munity.
l apologize for using so much Of
your space, and sincerely hope that
what have said will induce the per-
sons who choose TO assume the names
of Equal Rights and Fair Play, to
adopt such principles and styles of ex-
preston in the future as will not ex-
pose them to the contempt and scorn
of the public, OBSERVER.
w. Rodenburger4 4 Z" 10 40
Board adjourned to meet August 6,