The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-13

AssAsslys OF CHARACTER,

ASSASSINS OF CHARACTER.
Perhaps it is the part Of charity to assume
4 that those responsible for the bringing OF the
charges against the work of the Associated thar-
tiles and the character of Its Secretary, DIR.
I Buchanan did not intend 10 lend authority and
4 respectabiltv to the voice OF vice and malice.
That, however. is exactly what happened when
publicity was given to the idle tales and the
rengeful stories of the irresponsible persons who
\ were found 10 SANDER a great work and good
man.
Now that The charges" have been thoroughly
sifted, 50 that there remains of them not the
shred Of verscity, the sense Of outrage and IN
dignation felt in this city at the Whole matter
needs full and frank expression.
No mans character i 50 high, man record
20 fawless, mans motive pure that there
viii not be found the voice of calumuy to ques-
!. ton. sinirch and suspect, There are always
hands of hate reaching from the mlre. Power
less 10 rise depreciation seeks always 10 reduce
ait Things ~ ts own fpvpf aifurc always at
fords Il libel success. ami vice Justihes Itself
with the SANDER OF virtue. These things arc
but the impotent efforts of the underworld at
recognition. They are the vapors that rise from
an uncovered cesspool. harmless unless breathcd.
They are the poisons of the sewer. deadly IN
themselves but innocuous unless assimilated
But to give these things an artificial value, 10
deal in them. 10 spread them in the way, is akin
TO criminal careessness. To find for them a
vehicle through which to deal an injury TO stir
and direct them 10 the working of harm Is TO
give wound and to stand sponsor for species
of SANDER thar 10 sclfrespectdng community
will tolerate IN silence
In the case Of DR. Buchanan and the Associated
Charities, the testimony tended TO show. and no
one seriously denies, that the libel proceeded
from an initial suspicion which, s(whether or
not prompted by jealouslv), was born of sources
which decencv could not hope to touch without
contamination. II is said in defense Of the pub
LEGATION that il was not intended by those en-
gagged in private investigation resulting from
that suspicion. Conceding the truthfuness of
This version and the character of those giving it.
il remains true that they were relying OH dirty
fools: that their preiudice= caused them 10 kneel
In the muck and that they sought out and lis
tened TO IN secrecy testimony character
which caused even them to doubt and which no
impartial mind conld for a moment believe. Hav-
ing gone TO this length, there was imposed that
duty Of utmost care which the law exacts of
: these with agencies dangerous per Sc.
ne obilgatloh was upon them 10 see That the
poison which they were handling was kept sealed
instead Of being scattered abroad. When through
whatever species of carelessness, they failed Of
this duty, they could not avoid responsibility for
the consequence. -
The consequences are that a noble work has
been arrested, and the tongue of scandal set
running against It's name and purpose; that AT
able and devoted man has been put to an ig
nominy of which the most sweeping vindicatior
is powcrless 10 remove the stain.-and with No
other basis than fabric OF lies and envy anc
vengeful hatred.
Character is thing of too long a growth to
Il be lightly attacked or wantonly ieopardizcd. |
Is no plaything for gossip, nor football for pre-
JUDGE. The circumstances Of this case should
make lesson for all inclined so to Use it II
reckless disregard not only of the reputation OF
others, but ultimately and inevitably of that Of
themselves