The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-04-02
HON. ALFRED AND HIS SKUNK
To the Editor Ocala Banner:

10 Tue EdIIOr OcdIa Banner.
Regret to learn through Fridays
Weekly Banner that the Hon. Alfred
is still suffering from that attack of
Indigestion which, now, seems to be
complicated with biliousness. The
attack seems to have been brought
on by his failure to assimilate Three
Stars, plus a skunk.
Now, I knew the Hon. Alfred would
eat a crow, for l heard him admit it
from 'the stump" but did not think
he would try to devour a skunk, and
try the strenuous methods of dis
lodging him that he admits he tried.
Now, my illustrious friend, don't get
further complication and go into
appoplexy.
So you have decided to quit, have
you? Well, think it is time; at least
until you get control of your nervous
system. If you can't stand criticism
keep out of public print.
Now, my friend. during the sixteen
years I have known you we have talk
ed frequently on many subjects, and
always good naturally, even though
we did not agree. During this time
have listened to your political
talks, read your writings and voted
for you. Once, a long while ago, you
dared me to enter a newspaper dis
cussiOn with you. I declined the test
of ability. l feared your pen. You
an ex-member of the legislature and
a public man, and I a private citizen,
who had never written a line for pub
lication-was too unequal. And, pos
itively, Hon. Alfred, until the first of
my Three Star articles appeared in
the Banner, 1 never had written a
line for publication.
l never ran for office, never held of
fee, and don't want an Office.
As for my write-up, must say II
went into it in perfect good humor, |
and am still pleased. Honestly, you
have amused me. l have not laugh |
ed so much since the '94 freeze. at
any one thing, as l did at your abuse |
Of Three Stars in the Daily Banner of
the 14th. You have been at a disad- |
vantage from the first You were
prominent in the limelight of public |
office and your position was perfectly |
clear to me, while assumed an iden- |
tity at which you could not even
guess. But there is no longer any |
question between us. You have de- |
clared yourself in favor of state
wide prohibition, and it is for that
that l am working.
But l am not ready to disclose my
identity. These Three Stars may yet |
serve my purpose to a still better adj
vantage, but in due time the Banner
will publish my name in full and you
may read it
Now, Hon. Alfred, if you want to
come back at me, do so; l no longer
fear your pen. 1 have INDUCED in no
harsh names nor bitter personalities,
and am not going to; but if 1 choose
to criticize your public writings will
do so as long as the columns of the
press are open to me; and if l keep
myself in due bounds, using no harsh
names nor abusive language, what
matters the name I use?
Now, Honorable and Illustrious AL
fred, hope your digestion has return
ed to its normal condition, and as
you appear to be healthy, you will no
doubt stay so, provided you make no
more undue attempts to reach tDe
Stars" and do not get over-heated
in your efforts to catch a skunk: and.
above all, do not attempt to eat botb
Stars and skunk at the same time
You appear to have lost sight of the
original cause of your discomfort and
confine yourself to such petty cub
bles that one does not care to take
notice of you IL
Yours very humbly,