Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-03-13
WARNING TO cLERGYMEN.

From the Richmond News Leader.
With entire good humor bat earnestly,
we suggest to the Rev. 81. P. Hsmili,
of StsuntoD, that he take Lessons by bis
recent experiences and be careful here
after 10 his public uttersnces. 10 a some
what excited and rhetorical speech before
the State An;i-Saloon Lesgue, Mr..
Hsmill accused his fellow citizens Of
Stsunton of having stuffed ballot boxes
and done other indecent and unlawful
acts in behalf of the liquor interest.
The News Leader published an abstract
of Mr.. Hamil's remarks. Evidently be
had forgotten their substance. He
promptly denied, through one Of the
stanton newspapers, the accuraucy Of
the report printed In this newspaper.
As matter of custom and from the
usual experiences of the Gospel 10 this
part OF the country, The word of min
lister Of the Gospel is accepted rs con-
elusive on any point. II the reporter
for The News Leader who reported Mr..
HsmilPs speech had been q young and
green man or beginner, very likely be
would have been discharged on Mr..
Hsmilps ssy.so for misrepreseniiDg that
gentleman. Deliberate or careless fslsi6.
cation or Misrepresentation Of q public
utterance is one of the capital crimes n
q newspaper Office. Toe reporter, for all
Mr.. Hamill knew, might have been one
of those very dear drunkards whom he
is so anxious to save, poor devil trying
TO struggle on his feet and re-es;sblish
himself. We have men of that kind very
frequently in newspaper service. In
sucn case the man probably would have
been fired aud his chance lost on Mr..
HsmilPs say so, unless he b I'd been able
to produce absolute evidence of his own
accUracy-frequenlly hard thing to do.
As the case stood, fortunately, the re-
porter was trained, experienced, thor
oughly Trustworthy man whose word
would be taken sgsiDst that Of anybody.
Consequently, no harm was done. We
see, however, that Mr.. Hamill was con-
frODted with a Stsunton grand jury.
There, we gather, he virtually agreed
that the story OF his remarks published
in The News Leader, and which he had
questioned. was correct. He went ON TO
say that The information on which he
based bis sweeping charges had been
given him by former jsnitor Of the
city hsll named Vswter. Mr.. Vawter,
summoned, denied that he knew of any
croOkedness or ballot box siufIiog or vote
buying but said he had told Mr.. Hamilh
that he "believed" such things had been
done.
As clergymen are honored and trusted
more than other men, 80 is the RESPONSE
bility on them heavier than it is on other
men-sspeciallY The responsibility of
strict accuracy, of charity, moderation
aud careful abstinence from unnecessary
iojury to the feelings, rights and interests
OF other people. IL now appears that be-
caute 81 ex,janitor of the city hall
vaguely believed crookedness had been
done in stanton election, DR.. Hamlll
stood up before the Anti-Saloon League
and the public of the State here in Rich
mond and denounced large number OF
his fellow-citizens, accusing them OF
grave crimes, and then took the chance
of costing reporter working honestly
to support himself aud his family, his
means of livelihood.
We confess we do not like that kind
of thing and when It ia done by min
lister of the Gospel il makes us most
especially sore aud tired.