The Seattle Editor Who Fought a Mob

A more malicious slanderer, a more unconscionable liar, a man more utterly oblivious to all the decencies and amenities of social life, or more utterly devoid of shame than Thomas W. Prosch, the ostensible editor of the Intelligencer, we have never known as holding any responsible position upon a public journal. Every honorable member of society holds his personal character more dear than any other possession. The ill-famed slanderer above named has, on several occasions, assailed us with the foulest slanders, for which there was not the slightest foundation in truth. Recently, he published us as having committed a forgery, which were pure inventions. The escapade-convict again vents his unscrupulous malice in the following: 'Fifteen years ago, an individual now a resident of Seattle was a blatant traitor in San Francisco. The loyal people of which, in their indignation at the killing of Lincoln, tried very hard to get hold of him for the purpose of hanging him.' Everyone in this community knows that these remarks were intended for the editor of the Dispatch. Our property was destroyed on that occasion by an insane mob composed exclusively of the vilest wretches who could be raked out of the slums of the city. We challenge the production of a single sentence uttered or endorsed by us favoring secession, or justifying treason. Our patriotism was recognized by persons high in authority; an invitation to the unveiling of the Lincoln monument in 1874 would never have been extended to a 'blatant traitor.' To be called upon to defend oneself against a charge of being guilty of the highest degree of felony—the crime of treason—is not a pleasant duty to discharge; but the man who makes such charges, unsupported by any testimony, is a social pariah to be shunned by all who have any regard for social order.