Year: 1859




EDIToR NATIONAL DEMocEAT In the opin'
ing of Your humble correspondent, II Is ex-


ccssiycly stupid in any one TO assert that the


matter Of public address, dignifed with


the title of Grafton, upon whatever subject


delivered, is not perfectly fair and proper


subject Of courteous criticism. When man,
of his own free will, assumes the character OF


orator he must stand or fall by the merit of


his productions, even though they be oral


but when he follows up his oral effort by de-


liberatcly laying il before his fellow men, in
Pr,nt what other object can he possibly have
than TO permit them to form an opinion of its


literary merits ? Do those who, without an.
thority. assume to be the peculiar friends OF
the Rev, Mr.. Taylor, desire to deny the right
of any man to give expression to that opin-
ion when formed? This surely cannot be
the wish Of any friend of free discussion
NJ d much less can it be the honest desire OF
the conductor of even the most insignificant
sheet which helps to form a recognized pow
or in the State. The usefulness of the public
press is greatly impaired 10y improper rival
ry in business, and editors are too much dis.
posed TO carp at the action of contcmpora-
rics, however right they be, when fancied
opportunity occurs to deprive them Of two or
three subscribers, by bids to assumed pre-
judices.


In your criticism upon the Grafton lately
delivered, you dealt not with the author but
with that which. being laid before the public,
was public property; and which not only
permitted, but invited criticism, yz:- the ora
tion itself In SO doing you carefully blunt
ed the point and edge" of your literary
sword, out Of Difference to the cloth of the
author; notwithstanding which, vituperation
wags her nimble tongue, and the ninnes are
agog. To what end DO they attempt to
defend the oration? No. That is impossi-
bic. Unasked, they rush to the rescue of a
gentleman who is not assailed, and valiantly
rally around an imaginary standard, as if
some atrocious savage had snatched the ar
ioNo HoiiI bHc CIaNo Ol luc Olu VI 0ONSi
with dire intent upon his shielded breast.
Out upon such insuffcrablc humbug 1t
cannot find market in this locality. But n
Fourth Of July Grafton is n homestead not
subject t. critical execution, Fudge! Were
the Boston editors deferred from tearing
into tatters a production delivered by
Burlingame on similar occasion? Did the
press Of San Francisco treat the poem Of DR.
Morse cautiously because it was delivered
before those who belonged TO an Order Ger
tainly second to nothing in morals except the
gospel Of Jesus Christ? No; but presume
the theory Of some is that criticism may suit
the latitude of Boston or San Francisco
here they will none of it,


They will here bid defiance to the world of
literature and Of grammar and wrapping
themselves in the garb of blissfu ignorance,
swear that whatever is, is right" and die
gloriously fighting at the altar of Ninnyhood.
To my view, the gist of the matter is this
You have seen fit to criticisc piece of pub
lie property; you have given ample quota
ions to bear You out in your judgement.
Now, let any man defend tho "Oration,"
which stands sadly in need of defense; but
ct him not defend the Reverned gentleman,
who is not attacked, and who needs no de-
ense. ASTI-HuMBuG.