The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-28

COURTEOUS REPLY.
In an article full of abuse. the Staun-
ton Spectator, in its issue of yesterday
assails The Times Dispatch as a soul
less corporation, out only for money
and belonging to the money gang. The
editor also, as claim to merit, indt-
Gates that his own paper Is not incor-
presumably, at his usual place of bust
x ness. The motive of this attack on
The Times Dispatch Is eXplainable only
on the ground that The Times did not
support Bryan and the Chicago plat
form In 1896, and thereby, in the eyes
the objectionable sin.
1t is unnecessary to say to any sim
cere and honest person who is at all
acquainted with the course OF The
Times and of The Times-Dispatch,
which have been in the order of their
succession continuously under the own
ership of Mr.. Joseph Bryan for about
eighteen years, that the policy of the
paper has been dictated solely by a
sense of duty to the interests of the
people of Virginia and utterly regard
less of the clamor of politicians or OF
any other interest adverse to the well
fare of the State. In all the burning
political questions which have arisen
in Virginia since The Times was found
ed to this day, The Times has not
hesitated to take what 1t believed to be
the wise and Just, though unpopular
side. Whether as an advocate of honest
elections or against free silver, Il
faced unflinchingly the bitter hostilit,
of the majority and saw its circulation
and business shrink, but without
murmur. 1t believed that the goot
sense of the people of Virginia would
finally prevail and renounce the sug.
gestions of corrupt politicians or OF
shallow and sophistical eXpounders OF
finance. And this is Just what the
people of Virginia have done. We have
new Constitution, under which we
enjoy the fairest elections in the coun.
try, and the finances of the State and
nation have never been on as sound a
basis.
Who is now the champion of fraudu-
lent elections and of free silver in
Virginia?
In the face of these well known
facts, 1t is simply preposterous that
any one. however malevolent. should
charge The Times or The Times-Dis-
patch with haying sought only its
pecuniary interest wlssn that interest
was VIGOROUSLY and constantly ignored
There is, however, something in in
dependence and integrity which seems
TO infuriate those who are incapable OF
understanding either of these qualities
The reason is possibly that such per.
sons do not believe in these virtues
and therefore mock and deride those
who practice them AS mere imposters
Like the unscrupulous Walpole, they
think 1t is only question OF price
to buy any mans conscience. and thei,
only idea of price is money. In de.
nouncing any one as Benedict Arnolt
or Judas Isdariot, they remember onl,
that Arnold was so involved in deb
mat he needed money, and that Judas
wanted the thirty pieces of silver. T,
such minds it is only question o
amount TO make even Washington al
Arnold or any apostle a Judas.
For the last eighteen years we hav
heard from time TO time the same sor
OF charges from the same sort o
sources, and as long as The Times
Dispatch continues to plumb the tract
OF honesty and honor and hew to tn
s line, regardless how the chips Fly,
may confidently expect to hear tn
"a same cry from those who hate III
truth.