Forewarned Is Forearmed

To the Editor of the Courier: As the Washtenaw Evening Times, in ts notíce oí Oen. Wcuver's late speech in Ann Arbor, characterized t m being "illogical," an expression of "wild ftnancial theories," and chanpd him with " playing apon the prejudices of the people," aml as the Courier said "the entine speech as ane of cheap demagogery anl skilliul evasion of facts," I proposed, throusch the Dexter Nis, that the editora of those papers Bhould meet tlic General upon the platform and vindícate these charges. [confesa thai I :í aegligent about watching the Times for ;i reply to my proposition; butlam unable to learn that it made any, hile the Coufier, in a very kind notice i it, declined, en tbe grotind that it was unfair for the f.jllcjwir_r reas ■t.r!i. W6av6rla a professional public speaker. That Is hls trada. He makes a livelihood )V liis vita aod eJoqueuce The editor oí the Courier i not h public speaker, uti't the correspondent knowa thut fact. it wnuiii be an unequal conteel on the platform" I liil nol happen to kimu thai either OÍ tii' - w as nut a "public s]ca!%ri-," but while 1 admit that to bi a "professional public Bpeaker" would )"■ tu one's advantage in such a discussion, I eannol seethat thatqualificationisabgolutely necessacy, for tlie contest iroposed s nut tor the display iï "wit and eloquence," 1 1 1 1 to show who stands u'pun the Bolid rock of fats, of patriotism and of couimon sense. I would rather be panoplied itli these, witli truth and riglit and justice, than tg possesa oei ui "cheap demagogery" and all the ■'slill" n the world, coupled with "wil and eloquense," to "evade facts." So, il' "it would beau uneqaal conl .-: on the platform," 1 should think the inequality, judging fromthe charges made, would be greatly in favor of thé "common country editor," as yon inodestly denomínate yoúrself. But, besides all this, in my proposal I made expresa provisión for tbia lack of platform practico, ií it should bo feit, by Baying, " with the underetandinj that the editor may have all the assistance he can procure." WeÜ, Mr. Editor, I am thankful for " sinall l'avors," and it is nu small favor that yon are nut only rilling Imt will 1.' glad tu meet Gen. Weaver with the pen and kindly open the columns of the Courier for that purpose, as well as to " A Populist," who may at some future time very glad to "air'' bieopiniona in tliein. Dexter, Bept. Il', '98.