The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-24

Every trained logician knows that, IN
strict logic the "ad hominem' argument
IS no argument at all IL does not pre-
lend TO decide. nor even 10 argue any
principle. and. in this direction, has no
more force than has ,he schoo-Doy's
fAunt. 80. you're another.
Let us illustrate by paragraph or
two. taken from the campaign history
Of My years ago. 1t is proper TO state
that the Barbour mentioned Ia the sketch
VS. James Barbour, of Cuipoper. broth
er of the late senator. John ;. Barbour
on the court day aforesaid the crowd
was too great for any building IN the
town. anu 50 the speaking was donc
o.r-of-d0ors. A platform was erected
h..,iust tho courthouse, and something
llAo am acre OF ground was covered 10y
II. crowd. William G.. Riycs was one
o. the ablest, most scholarly and most
,,eushed speakers in Virginia. The
yhlcs were eXultant and felt confident
.lat no Democratic speaker on the
ground could cope with their splendid
champion Some leading Democrats
had waited on Mr.. liycs and requested
hifa 10 divide time" but this proposal
nc declined lie made very fine speech,
winch greatly elated his party and some
what depressed the spirits of the Demo-
Gratis. In the course OF his speech ne
said that he would wait till the TIN
OF November election day. for a reply
AT the close Of Mr.. Rives' speech. the
Democrats began vociferously to cry,
Barbour! Barbour and a Thin frail,
bcardlcss youth stepped upon The plat
form As il was his second attempt at
q stump speech" and as the circum-
stances were unfavOrable. IL was not
strange that ne manifested embarrass-
ment. For q few minutes this was even
painful. and he foamed at the mouth
Put soon he began 10 warm mp 20 his
work. and the telling blows fell thick
and fast Mr.. Rivcs became restless
aad presently interrupted the speaker
with the words: Il don't know the young
man who has come here to teach me =.
Lessons in Democracy" Barbour quickly
rejOinod: "I teach william G. Riyes
lessons in Democracy, Why. he was
shr great leader Of the Democracy OF
Virginia when I was I'm my cradle At
this sally. the huzzahs Of the Democrats
were deafcning.
Now. here was keen blade. skilfully
thrust with decided and even brilliant
erect But tho trained logician sees at
glance that there was no relish Of logic
IT, 1t. What had Mir. Riyes' political
skaters. twenty-five years before, TO do
with the question. Ought Zachary Tay-
Tor to he elected to the Presidency?
1t IS, indeed. very remarkable tact'
that a so-caled argument" which is
one OF the most effective weapons ever
invented for cut-and-thrust debate. is.
from a purely logical point Of view abso-
lutely worthless u i5 not held here That
1t has no legitimate place in debate Tor
1t Is sometimes h'shiy important DIS an
instrument to stop the mouths OF gain
savers, who are making reckless charges
For instance: There Is ahoat "a story OF
distinguished soldier against whose con-
duct some brazen. blatant blund ring
critic had spoken his mind. II. indeed I
he had any. The General Indignantly re-
Piled that his critic had got himself into /
the penitentiary Ia order 10 escape Fed |
Graz bullets ana was no" posing rs I
critic Of the military conduct OF mon VINO |
had charged with iickctts Division al |
Gcttysburgl Now, IL that d!d not stop the |
critics mouth, he had che hide o. an /
alligator bat IL did not. logicaliy speak /
ms touch The question 40 issue. and that /
question was Dil thc General do the |