Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-04-21

TO THE PUBLIC.

The Winchester Virginian Of the 80 ultimo, con-
taius card over the signature ofRIcn'D. F.. BYRD
which, reluctant as | am to appear before the pub
! lie ~ a newspaper controversy, justice to Mr.. Id
mund L, Hunter, well as to myself requires me
! TO notice. The black heatted mHhgnity evinced
! nv Mr. Byrd, in his communion ion, well az his
utter disregard Of truth, would perhaps render it
unnecessary fof me to respond, if its circulation
were confined to the circle where both
known but such moi being the case, | now pre-
coed TO my task:
So far from Col. Hunter being the author of the
a,licle published by me in the Richmond Wing as
asserted by NJ. Byrd, that gentleman never was
consulted by me upon the subject, nor did he know
anything OF it until it appeared in that paper
am the author Of it, and poor OLD man" as am,
| do not Feel disposed to dodge any responsibility
in which ii has involved me. wrote it without
consultation with any one-it is my banlIing,
and am not ashamed OF il. True, it may be PIE
sumption in an humble descendant Of the plain and
honest " hig stock Of the Revolution, to come in
contact with such arstocTatic blood as flows in the
veins Of this Bird-ihe noble descendant Of Tory
captain Of the Revolution and hali-pay British OF
fcer; yet, humble as my pretensions are, imper-
feet rs my education has been, with truth my
side have uoihiNg To fear, either from the superb
or requirements, the noble blood, or the gigantic
intellect of this mighty bird
Before the Legislature adjourned il was the re-
ceivsd opinion, and believe 80 avowed that Mr..
Byrd had acted meanly, and that he DESTROYS
! Of rendering me as ridiculous as he had already
rendered himself | have no hesitation in dec
ing that am well satisfied there was not respec-
table Democrat in the Legislature who had not a
moor opinion of him. He not much more than
half his time in the House, and when there, but
little attention paid TO him though have no doubt
he received pay for the whole session. never lost
one day. | was informed that Mr.. Byrd, was at
Washington and at Petersburg frequently; but |
admit, that, on his passage through Richmond he
generally called in and attempted to amuse the
House with the powers of his oratory: on several
occasions, however, the members csPtiUat-
ed at his etoquence that he appealed to the Speak
or nd told him there so much noise nthe Hall
he could rot hear his voice Upon those &C.
casions that cofal headache would seize upon, and
sometimes dive him from the House, was the
case in the election Of Gen. Sloan. A very con-
yenient headache, indeed
As TO this lodging the vote referred to, in his
card | think no person can doubt, be he Democrat
OF Wing: it is sustained by proof too clearly. and
Mr.. Byrd cannot dodge the fact. In the malignty
of his heart, this Bird charges me with being pas
sive tool in the hands of others. When did Mr.
Byrd come to this concusionl Was il when |
told the truth, which did not answer bis purpose
OF was it when he followed me up and urged me to
aid him in matter in which his constituents were
Interested when he found he could effect nothing
When the petition from the county of Frederick
asking for the appointment Of two Commissioners
Of the Revenue for that county, vas before tho
Committee of Finance (ofwhich was a member,
this man Byrd urged and pressed TO aid him in
getting it through the committee, and, thinking il
proper, | gave him my aid but Mr. Byrd stated
to the committee that the present. incumbent was
Democrat, and that, if he law passed allowing
two, Wing would get the other appointment, and
annoyed the committee much that not a Demo.
crut voted for it, and the committee reported a
ganst il. After the report made, Byrd urged
me, time after time, to move the House to reverse
the report: | refused, and told him to do it him.
self. He then insisted that if | would make the
motion it would have a better chance of success
still thinking the proposition reasonable one,
made the motion--it prevailed, and the law passed
only mention this to show that Mr. Byrd, at
that time, had rather respect for my indepen
dence and standing than he affects to have nov ;
| and he knows full well, that when he declaied me
TO be tool in the hands of Others he lied and the
truth loas not in him. With respect to Mr. Byrd's
pretence of sickness, pending the election Of Major
General, | am confident no respectable member of
the committee believed il. | would therefore ad-
wise Mr. Byrd and all didoppers like him, before
they assall gentleman, that their own hands
clean.
WILLIAM VANCE.
RoNStY, April z, 1912.
The Editors Of the Winchester yirginian and
the Martinsburg Gazette viii cory the above and
send their accounts TO this office for payment. and
ohligc W, v