The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-08-25
is GLAD HE SAID IT
CHAs. G. MILLARD ANSWERS JOHN
W. BREIDENTHAL'S ATTACK.

=
in Abuse-He still Adheres to His Po-
sition Taken In the August Number of
the Arena aud Defies Mr.. Breidenthal to
Gainsay Him-Miiiard Cites That He
Was In Good Literary Company, While
BreideuthaI is not so Fortunate.
Mr.. Charles c. Millard Of this city
wrote an article which appeared in the
August number Of the Arena which had
relation 10 the mortgages on Kansas and
western property. The article attracted
widespread attention throughout the
country and created a great deal Of COM
ment both Of an adverse and commend
able nature according 10 the nature OF
information possessed by the person
commenting. Mr. John W. Breidenthal.
ex-chairman OF the Populistic state GEN.
trail committee, answered NJ. Millard's
article in the Topeka Capital in forci-
bic if not eloquent language. Mr.. Mil
lard has replied TO Mr.. Briedenthal as
follows:
Professor Andrew D. White, in his
Warfare Of Science with Theology
says Of an eminent person who wrote
book in behalf OF an ancient interpre-
tation of Holy Writ: He acknowledged
the insufficiency Of his argument, for he
supplemented it by calling his opponent
hard names So Mr.. Breidenthal has
virtually admitted his inability 10 an
swer me by facts or arguments, by Of
Oh 7
have often said 10 my friends, L care
not what people say about me If they
do not tell the truth If the honorable
gentleman mad stated that l was COM
paratively unknown country school
teacher and a crippled ex-soldier, who
spaculated wildly in the boom and be-
came bankrupt, and owed thousands or
dollars which l could not pay; if such
had been the accusation, l might have
been driven to hard names for reply.
But, in such case, no reply would have
been necessary; and why does Mr..
Breidenthal feel called upon 10 answer
an open letter to eastern capitalists? Ii
was not addressed TO him. and il is diff
ficult 10 see why he should De nit unless
eastern capital is mine OF weaith
which he wishes 20 work some more.
Whom the gods wish 10 destroy they
first make mad Perhaps the gods are
after the ex-mogul of the Populists. The
head and front Of my offending appears
10 be, that have told 100 much OF the
truth If l had echoed the stereotyped
Populist complaint, not too loud nor 100
soft, all would have been well; but, alas,
/ knew no better than to wade in and
tell what 1 knew. Not all, either; for
the want of space there is more yet 20
follow. Truth is wholesome: it is good
for the soul and the body; it enables US
to put ourselves in harmony with our en-
yironments.
s.Mr. Breidenthal should reflect that TO
call me an ass and a liar is 10 reflect
on the editorial management OF the Are
ma, and is an indirect insult TO every
one whose name is found upon the title
page Of the August number. For ne
Judges me entirely by the one article
Did he ever find himself or any Of his
literary productions in better company?
Bonds and Mortgages. Chicago
magazine, reprints the open letter in
full, and comments in a fair, courteous
ana RenL4efNdHlE Ilidiiliel. 1AC NNANS-
does me the honor 10 say that. had II
appeared several months earlier, II
might have had its designed effect by
being a powerful aid to the cause OF
Bryan and Silver. He also says the
statements in it are mainly true.
Two years ago a reporter published
in the Eagle, paper which he heard me
read to the Teachers association. Com |
menting on the same, the Eagle said:
The PAPER Of the day was read by Mr.. |
Charles c. Miilard.' Mr.. Mlllard is an |
advanced thinker etc. And further as !
10 ability, il there had been no brains !
behind the article there would have been |
no howl from Mr. Breidenthal. l main |
tain. as Colonel Ingersoll said about /
Queen Victoria. that my reputation is 4
good in the community in which l re-
side. And the honorable gentleman ad- |
mies that ne does not know to the con- |
trary.
Notwithstanding the flaring head 1
lines in the Capital, the Eagle, and l
know not how many more Republican
papers, l am not a defamer, neither
have 1 made any attack upon Kansas.
| have not intimated that the people Of
Kansas were any worse off than those
% other western or southern states. l
simply described what l knew, and used
with which l was acQuaint-
ed. Some people write about what they
DON. know and make a brilliant sue
cess; am not gifted IN that way.
II did not say that al western mort
cages were worthless. Recent mort
cages based upon greatly reduced values
are worth their face value. and will
probably be paid by some one; provid-
ng prices do not continue 10 decline.
But recent mortgages are few and the
others are many.
Il said and meant 10 say that west
.rn mortgages. good. bad and indiffer-
m. given during the last fifteen years.
md sill remaining unpaid. with accru-
4 interest. and back taxes on The prop
,-ty, are no, worth So cents on the dol
a..
For instance. IL some capitals; with
nore money than brains would agree 20
axe az this paper. q; this price, on al,
he mortgaged property within a radius l..
Z FIVE miles troTn the center Of Topeka.
Wichita, or almost any western ciiy,
Ir. B. would be one ot the first men %
ee him and pick !; up. as he would |
ny other sof, snap, and make for :
ule out OF i;.
And I did no. make any wall
m opposed 70 wailing. believing, as
%. that we should be con;eR,ei in the
ondi;ion in which Providence has plac-
j US, II We can't DO any better.
Mr. b Is fearful lest ';he foo! eas;-
m people viii believe my s-a ,emsnts.
: viii be al the better <o- them l. they
Q. II The fool eastern people' VIII keep
heir money a. home. - come weS- win