ATTACK ON ANONYMSTY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 27, 2 October 1913, Page 5

ATTACK ON ANONYMSTY.

WINKLE CHALLENGED.

[To The Editor Stratford Post.]

Sir, —Another member of the Reform creed proclaimed his presence the other evening under cue nom-de-plnmc of “A Perry Winkle.” Ho selected a name befitting a weakling; the periwinkle has to be protected by an ingeniously constructed shell to save it from the dangers of destruction, hence the appropriate nom-de-plume. This gentleman predicts a murderous fire ol Billingsgate from this quarter; such thoughts indicate a mind accustomed to indulge in the epithets of the' fishmongers of London. If there is om thing more than another that legitimately disqualifies a person’s influence and/ prestige it is hiding behind anonymity. lu every conflict, whether or the field of battle or in the exorcist of civic rights, chivalry demands tin recognition of certain forms of fairplay between opposing elements. In the. exercise of civic rights throng! the medium of the press, one of thest forms is, to attach one’s name to tin weapon used to defeat an honorable foe. lam familiar with the saori flees made and the struggles overconu by the British press as it foug't it: way to freedom in. order that it might stand fearlessly in defence of the peo pie’s rights, but it lias one more ste; vet to take and that is to protect at honorable critic from the attacks o cowards taking shelter behind anony moms names. Personally I would de light in a thrust from an. opponent ii the open, for under such circumstance■ we would have equal chances of mea saving ourselves against each other hut A- is against my creed and agains the creed of chivalry to face an op ponent who is ashamed of his name Let truth ami falsehood grapple, am you will never find truth put to tin worse, if the encounter is free am open, but where one opponent fight: under cover, like physical hysteria, i' is a sign of weakness, and au insul to ail forms of manly combat. it rna; be said that this reply is wide of tin mark; that I should parry with in; opponent in a humorous vein; that j am outmatched and have to resort t> expedients to protect myself, but sue; is not the case. It is impossible fo me to tilt with a rival whose identit; is concealed. If in future “A Pern Winkle” indulges himself in what lu imagines v, it, I ask that lie attach hiname so that I may have equal chance in the exchange.—l am, etc.,

THOMAS BOYLE, October Ist, 1913.