LIBEL

One would not have called Voltaire lovable; other things he may have been--lovable he was not. And likewise the case with one of his followers--the erudite Mr. H. L. Mencken. Dr. John Roach Straton has assailed, him on two charges: that he is weak-minded; and that he is good-hearted. The first, being conventional, is easily dismissed. Mr. Mencken may ignore it, laugh it off, or, if he chooses, attempt to prove its falsity. In a treacherous mood he may even admit its truth. But the second attack will linger maliciously in the memory of the public for it gives rise to a faint distrust in Mr. Mencken's evil genius.

Dr. Straton should be made to understand that the guiding light of the American Mercury is not good-hearted and that he makes his living by being anything but good-hearted Rob him of his cynicism, his black arts, and one robs him of his daily bread. Were he of a Pollyannie nature his writings would not be accepted as holy scripture by numerous intellectuals, both young and old, scattered over the countryside. When one wants sweetness and light there are other sources; but advocates of the devil who can amuse and corrupt as well as Mr. Mencken can, are at a premium. To accuse him of being good-hearted is to attempt to ruin his trade and that the law books say, is Lbel.