The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-09-05

equal to the square of its radius and
maintained an unbroBen silence ever
afterward, he would have left as little
doubt as to what connection mis- Closer
walton had with prohibition, as he has
managed to do, with his volumdnOus
and effervescent effuSiOns. The OBJ
1eet OF my article, which seems to
have impaired his digestion, was to
induce an intelligent exchange of
views, both pro and con, on the ques-
tion of prohibition. But, 10, a lemon
Jumps in to get a squeeze. His ar
Suments 90 are as destitute of logic
as a porcelain door knob is Of a
healthy growth OF hair.
Apparently unmdndful Of the fact
that an argument without logic is like
cripple without a crutch, he en-
deavoFS to play the ends against the
center, by attempting to discuss pro-
hibition, discover my identity and
splicing the whole with fragmentary
autobiography all at one and the same
time No wonder he alighted upon
wood pN2 if he Grated with as much
energy an he argues-or rather the
wonder is that with his mental avOir-
dupois he did not remain in mid air.
He ignores the fact that there is no
swerving from a right line of argu-
ment that may not lead sadly astray
in the matter of conclusions. His
process of reasoning leads to the ire
sistdble conclusion that he has about |
as clear conception of the subject he |
attempted to treat as a Florida |
gopher has of the altitude of the Alps. |
or a Rocky Mountain goat has of the !
depths Of Pensacola Bay; and, is as |
4 h II,
hibftion as to be a demonstration of |
anatomy or a professor of theology. 1 !
believe this conclusion finds ample |
support in the following excerpts from |
his strenuous deliverance:
There is very little sport in knock
ing down a straw man or trying con-
Clusions with man who is afraid to
come out in the Hmelight and take a
stand on one side or the other"
For did3ctic discourse this sounds
we'll, but note his consistency. He
says: He is very particular to let
us know from the start that he has NO
interest whatever in the saloon bust
ness, and yet he seems the most ex
cited person in the whole city( saloon
keepers not excepted" In the next
breath, or after a slight pause for res
piratiOn, to regain its equilibrium, he
Solemnly declares: He seems to
have no interest in the matter other
than to display his great powers of
Is it matter of any wonder that a
man of straw is Knocked down" by
The crushing weight of such able ar
But, witness his climax:
Why so away to hunt for blind tigers7
He must know that We have blind
tigers right here in the city" Now
listen: "AIl this talk about blind
tigers is waste of energy. 1t is only
l reflection upon the ability and intep-
fty of cur city and county officials to
put the law in force.'
Permit me to ask. on which side Of
he question does the distinguished de-
'ator stand? So far, he uses the
question Of prohibition as a trapeze
lpon which he is doing stunts, that
proclaim him an acrobatic performer
II no mean agility.
Before concluding, ! beg to state
hat the publication of the article TO
which so much reference has been
made has caused me to regret that If
allied in its inoffenSive purpose of in
lucing a free. full and friendly discus
ION or the question of prohibition ;
'ull more do / regret that the courtesy ;
4 The Journal has been abused by its
esuItant Universities, and / here offer
ne apology due for my part, with II.
ssurance that under no circumstances
VII l be any further engaged in II
C. q. PORTER.