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Letter to Editor
April 26, 1844
The Spirit Of Democracy
Woodsfield, Monroe County, Ohio
What is this article about?
In the Spirit of Democracy, 'Umpire' responds to 'M''s personal attack from the 19th, quoting hyperbolic language about a death sentence metaphor and demanding courteous discourse. He corrects misquotes, opposes duelling, and challenges 'M' to prove 'Charybdis' is more than a mill privilege.
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For the Spirit of Democracy.
MR. EDITOR:-
M' in his communication of the 19th inst., has made some thrusts at me, which, in duty to myself and my country, I am bound to repel. I humbly ask the generous readers of the Spirit of Democracy, to peruse the following paragraph, which I quote from 'M,' and then say whether the language he uses there, against me, is not more than flesh and blood can bear. He says, "twelve men are set in judgment on his case who pronounce him guilty of the crime for which he stands charged. The Judge delivers the sentence prescribed by the statute-of death!! The day arrives-the culprit is brought from his living grave, and while the executioner performs the bloody deed, all nature seems paralyzed. High Heaven droops a tear -Hell laughs, thunders roll, vivid lightnings fringe the dark, ponderous clouds that hang about the lurid sky. The sun muffles up his majestic face, and bids all the stars withhold their light; and all the planets move on in solemn masquerade. The astonished earth shudders, as if convulsed by the sire of earthquakes, woke for the first time, bursting from earth's inmost centre, and muttering deep, indignant remonstrance, which seems to say, 'foul murderer stay thy hand.' The Ocean too, great reservoir of creation's tears, weeps herself away upon his tomb; but all her tears fail to wash out the bloody stain, and the individual's doom is sealed."
The above, between the words twelve and sealed inclusive, is the language of M. in reply to my communication of the 12th inst. Now I would say to the gentleman, if he cannot use more courteous language toward me, I will not correspond with him. Let me further say, that when he refers to me hereafter, he must quote me correctly. I wish to have no affairs of honor to settle with M or any other man. I am opposed to duelling but enough is said. If he can make the people believe that the great Charybdis is any thing more than a good mill privilege, let him do it; and see how long it will be, before we are all Millerites.
UMPIRE.
MR. EDITOR:-
M' in his communication of the 19th inst., has made some thrusts at me, which, in duty to myself and my country, I am bound to repel. I humbly ask the generous readers of the Spirit of Democracy, to peruse the following paragraph, which I quote from 'M,' and then say whether the language he uses there, against me, is not more than flesh and blood can bear. He says, "twelve men are set in judgment on his case who pronounce him guilty of the crime for which he stands charged. The Judge delivers the sentence prescribed by the statute-of death!! The day arrives-the culprit is brought from his living grave, and while the executioner performs the bloody deed, all nature seems paralyzed. High Heaven droops a tear -Hell laughs, thunders roll, vivid lightnings fringe the dark, ponderous clouds that hang about the lurid sky. The sun muffles up his majestic face, and bids all the stars withhold their light; and all the planets move on in solemn masquerade. The astonished earth shudders, as if convulsed by the sire of earthquakes, woke for the first time, bursting from earth's inmost centre, and muttering deep, indignant remonstrance, which seems to say, 'foul murderer stay thy hand.' The Ocean too, great reservoir of creation's tears, weeps herself away upon his tomb; but all her tears fail to wash out the bloody stain, and the individual's doom is sealed."
The above, between the words twelve and sealed inclusive, is the language of M. in reply to my communication of the 12th inst. Now I would say to the gentleman, if he cannot use more courteous language toward me, I will not correspond with him. Let me further say, that when he refers to me hereafter, he must quote me correctly. I wish to have no affairs of honor to settle with M or any other man. I am opposed to duelling but enough is said. If he can make the people believe that the great Charybdis is any thing more than a good mill privilege, let him do it; and see how long it will be, before we are all Millerites.
UMPIRE.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Provocative
Political
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Personal Defense
Courteous Discourse
Charybdis Mill
Duelling Opposition
Hyperbolic Language
Spirit Of Democracy
What entities or persons were involved?
Umpire.
Mr. Editor
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Umpire.
Recipient
Mr. Editor
Main Argument
'umpire' defends against 'm''s hyperbolic personal attack, demands courteous language and accurate quotes in future correspondence, opposes duelling, and challenges 'm' to substantiate claims about 'charybdis' beyond a mill privilege.
Notable Details
Hyperbolic Quote From 'M' Depicting A Dramatic Execution Scene As Metaphor
Reference To Previous Communications On 12th And 19th Inst.
Mention Of 'Charybdis' As A Mill Privilege And 'Millerites'