Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1896-01-10

irksome task it is to ilumine the dense
spiritual gloom which enshrouds the
members of the Free Press editorial
staff and to minister to their palpable
necessities in the way of sound moral
instruction did not have for his text last
Sunday, "Thou shalt not bear false wit
ness against thy neighbor', or that, If
he did, he signally failed to impress up
on his hearers the significance of the di-
vine command. The paragraph above
quoted contains at least two misstate-
ments, to call them by no harsher name.
The REGISTERS article was not sour
rilCus. 1t was personal, and it was in
tended to be so. But the REGISTER is
not to blame for the turn the discussion
took. e The Free Press sought unfairly
to obscure the simple question at issue
and to discredit the REGIsTERs motives
by luggiHg into the controversy wholly
Irrelevant personal matter. What one
of the owners of the REGISTER did or
omitted to do with respect to Senator
Morrill, eighteen years ago has no bear
ing whatsoever upon the present fact OF
Senator Morrill's fitness or unfitness for
reelection. On the other hand, it was
necessary that the public should under
stand certain characteristics of the Fress
Press and of its editor in order that it
might clearly comprehend the worth
lnsc Df tInf ~ nil
some topics. Before the Free Press en-
ters upon another bout 1t should take
heed of the warning, "For all they that
take the sword shall perish by the
sword" If it is not prepared to accept
the consequences with good grace. it
should refrain from contention. Its
tactics in the instance under cOnsidera-
tion strongly resemble those of the Ill
hammered and rash youth, who, having
spit in the wrong boys hat and received
deserved thrashing therefor, retires to
"A safe distance and attempts to get even
with his opponent by reckless and
grossly inaccurate use OF language.
The second misstatement by the Free
Press is that this paper has charged
Senator Morrill, with neglect of his SEN
atorial duties. 1t has done nothing of
the sort. Neglect" implies needless
ness, indifference There has been no
shadow of an intlmation in these columns
that Senator Morrill, Goes not give to his
duties all the attention he is mentally
and physically capable of giving to
them.
If the Free Press possessed sufficient
common honesty to state an opponents
position squarely, there would be some
profit in arguing with it. But that is not
and never was its method of warfare.
Instead, it erects man of straw and
proceeds for the editication of its readers
to maui the image it has created.
Moreover. it is so narrow-minded that it
cannot grasp proposition so foreign to
ali its traditions and to the spirit of its
main motivepOwer, self-lnterest, as
that the people who are not otlice-hold
ers sometimes merit consideration. 1t
TtSpIllDltS luulNluudlS anu
such as most of US have known, which
become so enamOred of a pastor rs to
worship him and neglect to look beyond
and above him. However, we shall con-
tinue, in spitesof the bad example set by
the Free Press. TO assume that there
is right and wrong side to public
questions altogether apart from the de-
sires and ambitions of individuals who
will be affected by the decision of them
and. we may add. we shall not meekly
submit to having our acts and opinions
misrepresented aud our motives i'm
pugned by the Free Press OF anybody
/ else.
Senator Morrill, does not need any one
to take his part. lie has had long
and Distinguished career. during which
he has rendered valuable service to his
State and nation. SO much no sane per
son disputes. But the lives of men do
not 60 on forever. There comes a time
when even those who have been CON
spcuouslv able aud vigorous must, in
Justice to those whom they serve as we'll
as to themselves, lay aside burdens and
responsibilities and retire from the field.
CIIRRENT GOMMENT