The Madisonian., 1840-02-27
"PETTICOAT ALLEN. +"


oril in Of the "petticoat SANDER" we were not
precisely accurate in point Of time and place.
But a gentleman perfectly familiar with all the
facts in the case, has enabled US to correct
and complete our statement, and to add other
matter not then in our possession.
All political meeting, held at Columbus.
Ohio, on the evening Of the 9Th Of January,
1886, Mr.. Allen made speech, in the course
of which, he was reported to have said, in al
lusion to General HARRISON, that " the ladies
of Chilicothe voted him peiticoat, as the
most suitable emblem Of his military prowess.
This, then, was the author-the occasion
the manner and form of that slander which
is now in the ribaid mouth of every federal
tory in the country.
We are SO fortunate as to have now before
us the Scioto Gazette of January 20, 1886,
published at Chilicothe, which is both the
scene where the story is laid, and the resi-
dence ofi.s author.
In the Gazette of that date we find the fol-
lowing communication, which, we are assur-
ed, was written by Major General james T.
Worthington, son of Gov. Worhington, and
commander of the division Of Ohio militia
"THE PET1ICOAT SLANDER
CAS- ci,lzen of Ch'lico,hc, and resident here dur
ing the whole Of the late war, feel called upon to
tce this miserable fabrication, which informed
MAJOR Allen of this place has gwen currency TO in
public speech at Columbus do this because carries
charge Of gross lndelicacy against the ladies' Of
village, and for no other purpose whatever.
$50 long as the report was confined to the columns
OF lew collar presses, II passed among the thousand
and one lies they daily issue, and which, like the
French Assgnats, debased and Iendcted uncurren
by their mutudlnous number--was not. believed,
scarcely noticed any where. The public knop them.
"'Tis their poeaion Hail.
But its new form is likely to attract more attention
uttered by citizen Of our town. Of acknowledged
talent, and who has recently filed high public station
Although can gam no cedence her most false and
impression may be produced abroad, highly
dcrogaory to The ladies Of this place. helrue baolne
ter Of its moral elevation.
'In order sustain my recollections, have in
quired of number Of the Oldest and most respected
residents of town, Of both sexes and Of all poti-
cal parties, 10 the truth Of this report, (Which will
not suly my paper bv copylng) and have uniformly
ceved the reply that It is entirely false ard unounded
~ do not pretend to decide what degree OF
blame attaches To MIR. Allen the circuator oil this
sander upon mothers and sisters. TIM will de-
pend upon the fact whether he will have the manness
after due inquiry 10 make his recantaton public
he has made this libel. call upon him do so,
otherwise he -rnust stand in the unccvabe light of
wlliul sandercr of Qua VILLAGE
Mr.. Allen never had the "manncss" to
make the recantaon called for, and therefore
he stands branded before the whole country
by the highly respectable authority of Gen.
Worlhington, as "wilful slanderer" Of the
village of Chco,he and its fair ladies'.
But this is not all In the same paper we
find the following card
ITO MAJOR ALLEN
"sr: publish you hor and seoundre for
havlng stated IN public assembly, at Colnnbus on
the 9Th OF January 1896 that the ladies ChIlcothe
voted Gen HARRISON peticoat, as a reward for his
military prosess."
w S. MURPHY
Mr.. Murphy was Brigadier General Of
the Ohio militia, and Major Alien was an
officer subordinate TO him, and considering
MIR. Aliens military position and the respect
ability Of Gen. Murphy, one would have sup
posed that if Major Allen had no, Ict the
Justice Of the publication, or that ir he pos
sessed particle Of pride or spark Of honor,
he would either have resented the charge or
have relieved himself from the odium of such
brand, ifpossible, BY making public recan-
talion. Ills silence was the admission of its
truth.