The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-19
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Oct. IA, 1871.

Mn. ALLEN have regretted TO in your pa
per lately some opinions expressed concerning the u
S. Armory in this town, which cannot hut regard
as formed without careful elaboration. They relate
to order lately issued Ivy the military officer, who
has been placed over the Armory as superin endeni
to say the least Of it, without very strict 10
the provisions of law. That point, however do not
intend now to examine.
The order | speak Of debars the artzans Of the
Armory from receiping, while in the shops
letters, &C., by the Penny-Po who has been in the
habit OF delivering them from the post office. II is
confined to reading: it is the denial Of an impor
tant privilege, considering the distance from the Ar
mory to the post office. Prohibiting the reading Of
newspapers, &c., in the shops would be deemed an in
nocent matter. But the order is extreme and yran-
nical in its requirements.
beg you TO remember that the arizans, nearly all
ofthem, work by the piece and not by the day Its
therefore for their interest to do all they can order
TO make all they can ! beg you also to remember
that they not only highly skiIful well-educate
and intelligent ar,zans, but also highly respectable
and valuable citizens and be distinguished in
any respect from the great body Of citizens in this
community
Now, let me ask you whether the privilege of re-
ceiving letters, newspapers &C.. is prohibited to the
sdlaried clerks &c, IN the various Offices in Wash
ngton and in the various public Offices Of the Gov
ernment all over the country. do not ask whether
they denied the privilege Of reading letters,
all employed men. Is the privilege speak Of to
be denied at the Armory in Springfield because those
employed there 1rorking men? do not ask
whether the ordnance department will sustain dis
tinction of this sort will you do it will any intei
gent citizen do it 7 1t may be military to maintain
such order, such distinction; 1t certainly is not
cipH
But another matter. You have correspondent, "Sa-
bre," who has thrust himself, in very fippant
ner, into the affairs Of the Armory He evidently
writes without knowledge Of what he writes about
He sends you Abolition handbll and speaks Of it
specimen of the views adopted at Springfield
Armory to frighten the Government and its agents
from the honest performance OF their duty in reform
ing enormous abuses, &c.
''Sabre" intends TO convey the idea that the armo-
the getreIs up" of this handful and, fur
ther he asserts that there amongst them travel
ling lecturers abolition whilst receiving the pay Of
the Government"
Having taken pains to inquire into these matters
the spot feel myself fully authorized to deny the
truth of both assertions and declare them both en-
tirely unfounded. Not armorer knew any thing
about the handful till 1t appeared in print. Not
armorer has any thing to do with lccturing on abo
ton any other subject.
have ascertaned the individuals who prepared the
handful they citizens of this and the hand
bill is like all political handbs, framed get
many together at the meeting proposed possible
That was the object of it and this is kind Of tac
tics well understood by party managers. And yet,
according to g Sabre" this is specimen Of the
adopted at the armory to frghten the Govern
ment" agree that this the best and only specimen
of the kind which Sabre" can furnish. l am sorry
be under the necessity of believing that Sabre" is
connected with the Government. am very sorry he
is easily frightened"
His alusion to enormous abuses" is of piece with
the rest, and deserves notice Let the abuses be
pointed out if they can be
have written thus much simply as an act ofjustice
to very valuable body of men, who have one, at
least at Washington, to speak for them. know them
well though have not the slightest connection with
them, and have interest in their concerns beyond
what every citizen in the country ought have They
shall not he traduced willis, write or speak for
them. They are peaceful, industrious, intelligent
class Of men. They have manifested the slight
intention to frighten" the Government or any of
its officers, or to interfere with them in any improper
manner They feel and know that they have rights
they rights which belong to them in common with
all citizens. They willing to submit to all proper
and wholesome control, regulation, and reform. As
citizens they have desire be brought under mil
itary rule, and they have taste for the tap OF the
drum.
Mr.. ALLEN You acquainted with me- and
you appreciate my motives in writing this commu
nication You are at liberty to give my to any
who may call upon you to know who performs this
ACT OF JUSTICE.