Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-09-13

would hawk at the fairest reputation and
pervert the purcst motive, and that in this
respect, could claim no particular exemp-
ton for myself. | now desire none: ! ask
no indulgence appeal to no sympathy
wish to arouse no prejudice | simply
demand of my opponents stern and rigid
Justice.
In relation to the warfare that has, or
which may be waged against my public
character or official acts, wish to be under.
stood as urging no objections to it. AS
public officer, my conduct belongs to the pub.
lie. Iclaim to be independent of no portion
of them, and they have right to question
and animadvert, in whatever terms they
may select, upon any act of my public life
they may deem obnoxious to censure.-
The freedom Of opinion and of the press is
the birthright Of us all, end to its legitimate
exercise would be tie last to interpose
any obstacle.
When unjustly censured, / shall content
myself with the exercise of the same right
yield to others. AS public officer,
have nothing TO conceal. My past acts
are before the people Of Michigan, and
they can judge for themselves. With re-
spect to the future, have no sentiments
or intentions to disguise. Whei interro.
gated | am ready to meet and answer any
question of public interest that may he
propounded to me. l therefore repeat,
that whilst might reasonably have expec-
ted candour and fairness from my political
opponents when passing upon my official
acts, | ask no indulgence, nor claim any
exemption from elimination.
But some of those opposed to me, are
not content with denouncing me as public
man. My private character and personal
relations to society have become objects of
wanton and unprovoked attack. NV mo.
rails have been made the subject of news.
paper anathemas; travelling emissaries in
parts of the state where am not personally
known have represented me as victim to
intemperance and in the leading journal
of their party, have been held up in con.
trast with my competitor and designated as
Barrabas," the murderer, the robber, and
the erciter Of seditions.
To all this, have heretofore opposed
nothing, and even now, my own pride of
character will not permit me to give such
imputations, the dignity of serious refuta-
ton. That they are unjust those who best
know me will give evidence. In private
life, have endeavored to do no man
wrong, and it is with regret that have seen
so much personal vindictiveness infused in
to the present contest. Iquestion no ones
motives impeach no mans character |;
and have yet to learn that commit an
act Of moral turpitude by entertaining polt.
ical opinions different from those indvid.
uals who have become censors upon the
occasion. But these imputatiors are iutcn-
ded to affect me where it is thought my
private character may not be understoo'.
At home where | am known they are
stamped with falsehood as soon as uttered.
To this ''the triers of the vicinage," the
eye witnesses and observers of my conduct
will bear ample testimony and | now ask
my assailants to point to the derelction of
duty, and say "whom have defrauded, or
whom have oppressed"
regret to think, that many Of my polit.
ical opponents are determined TO pervert
to my prejudice every circumstance they
can seize hold of however unimportant it
may be in itself. In furtherance of this de.
termination have seen with surprise, that
| am charged with the high offence of dis
tributing money at the polls for unworthy
purposes during The recent election in this
city. This calumny originated with the
editor of paper in the state of New York,
who happened to be here during the e.ec.
ton. was introduced to him as a gentle.
man, but how far | have been deceived
leave the world to determine by his con.
uct. do not mention his name, because
| am unwilling that factious circumstances
should give temporary importance to that
which is inherently contemplate.
This accusation of corrupt and criminal
conduct at the polls of an election is the
main object Of this appeal TO the public.
am charged with grave offence and if |
could so far have forgotten the duty owe
the people of Michigan, the laws of my
country and my own reputation as to have
been guilty of its commission, then truly il
ought to decide my political fate forever.
But what are the facts Of the casel They
are presented in the following affidavit:
Wayne County, city y'1 of T DsiFcs tf a and
county aforesaid, being duly sworn, to depose
and say, that on Tuesday, the second day of the
ELECTION held in said city for representative in
Congress from said state, did apply to Cover.
nor Stevens Il. Mason, who was standing at the
time on the sidewalk in front of III, National
Hotel, for the loan ola dollar in money, which
the said Mason on my request did hand me;
that had previously voted on the first day of
said election that said Mason did moi speak to
me concerning the election or any thing relating
thereto, and that l. the said Weese did neither ask
nor obtain the said money for any political purpose
whatever, and that the accusation TO that eff ct
recently made in the Rochester Democrat Ia
wing paPer) by stranger who professed to be
an eyewitness of the aforesaid transaction, and
which was reiterated in the Detroi. Daily Adver.
tiser, is utterly and entirely false.
JOHN wEESE
Sworn and subscribed before me- this !
fifth day of September, A. ID. 1897. (
HENRY N. WALKER,
Notary Public for Wayne CO., Michigan.
"The head and front of my offending,
hath this extent, no MORE" An individual
asks the loan ola dollar (; | grant his request,
-