Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1842-02-15
ADDRESS

Is
TO 1uE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATS.
FELLOW CITIZENS The object OF my address iug
Won al this time Is not for the purpose Of lIstyug
myself for the part cpation which have had 90 the
frauds the elective franchise, in the state OF
New York, IN the years ISIS and $50. which pro-
duccd much excitement after their disclosure,
and which were so widely Justly and severely COM
mented upon IN the public prints, not only IN this
country. but IN England That did particip pate
ia these transactions, admit and can only, far
as | concerned, frankly acknowledge my error.
The evil is done aud sincerely regret that ever,
in any way, allowed myself to participate nth
others IN transaction for which have been COM
PEELED by circumstances 10 De the only sufferer. In
justice my country-in justice to INV family; IN
justice to my friends, IN justice to myself am de-
termined now. be the effect on myself what il may
present t. the public. full, candid, true and i'm
partial account of those frauds, in which shall
Nothing cxteLuate,
Nor down aught in malice
am well aware that duty required me to adopt
this long since, but through force of circum-
my hands have been tied and my lips closed
and while my name has been branded from one ex-
of the country to the other, have been com
PEELED to b. silent and tamcy bear the whole odum
attached 10 those transactions ! was IN the power
of men equally guilty with myself, and both threats
and promises rcsorcd to, to obtain the mercy
OF my silence" An indictment was pending over
tor participating these frauds, and until that
was removed, my personal liberty required me to
keep secret that which justice demanded should be
known. The necessity is now removed. re-
leased from that Indictment. CT having been DIS
charged on the 22d ultmo, and the truth shall now
be lard before the people and the guilty be cot.
PEELED to bear their Just proportion Of that whcl.
heretofore, have singy and alone. been forced to
sustain.
No one but myself knows what have suffered.
j have, since the first disclosures were made seen
friend after friend desert me, and cut of all that
macy. but few remain that call themselves my
friends Considerations of honor. whether true or
false) towards INV confederates, Influenced my con-
duct at the time of my arrest, and long time sub
segment thereto Because was involved m trouble.
/ did not wish to involve them. To me that would
have been qualification relief. | presumed
they felt. as did. deep regret for their unlawful
acts, and that they would, at least far m their
power, relieve me from my difficulty. | expected
them 10 act henorably towards me and II VAS not
until discovered, upon several occasions, an eyl-
dent design Notwithstanding repeated assurances
10 the contrary to sacrifice aud destroy me- load
me with guomuy, and whistle me down the
world, prey TO fortune. that | understood the
true position in which | was placed. They ap-
pearcd To consider II necessary TO so TAR rum my
reputation. that aught ! could say IN relation 10
them would be OF no avail. They acted as If they
considered their safety dependent ON their success
IN atiXiug lniomy and odIum upon my character.
How far they have succeeded. depends upon the
diet of The people. They Will pass upon 1t after
they shall have pcrused the statements and evi-
dences | shall lay before them. Sens ole of having
committed a moral wrong. | can now only appeal to
forgIving aud generous people; and IT they can
find any eXtenuatIon, IN consequence OF my ardent
temperament. which, IN the enthusiasm of party cN-
element and party strategy. led into excuses,
my object, - far rs regards myself Will be accom-
pllshed. With politics | have DONE have no
hopes or expectations from party. The disclosures
| shall make, will be made free from any bias. and.
del liberation. after hav ing carefully collect
ed the facts and memoranda upon which to base It.
| know that fearful odds are against mel am
almost friendless and alone. Opposed to me | have
wealth, character Influence. public and private sta
ton and trust. Fearful odds But. believing IN
the MAXIM that =. truth j. mighty and vii prevail
enter the lists, considering that 1t Is never too
late TO redress wrong or 10 good and Justiiable
action
Independent Of any evidence. let us apply the
ordinary rules of logic the transactions in relation
To these frauds. and whether they for or
against the truth of my statement. Ii the state
ment which made 10 Mr.. j. y. Stevenson IN re-
lation To these frauds was not true, land il has
always been denied by the leaders Of the Wing
party.) why was removed from Office II was
admitted that | had faithfully and ably performed
the duties oi the station held. and ii the charges
against false. then | was a persecatcd
man and they admitted | was Competent and
had rendered essential services u the party was 1t
their duty sustain me | had Their trrdfea
GCkNosrled cement ~ my services, not in measured
terms, but IN terms Of unqualified APPRECIATION. Let
: look also the other side OF The question. If
the charges were true, aud known To Governor Sew
ard aud the prominent leaders of the Wing party.
(which solemnly aver they dad know were they
not bound 20 sustain me. instead of attempting to
degrade me aud leaving me TO contend against the
other party unalded Except secretly and alone !
1t Is vel known that the Why leaders would neither
openly carry me through my difficulties nor permit
the wing party 10 rally around me. Ii alone was
guIlty-if they had partIc ipaton in the frauds
II they were ignorapt of the ,ransactions-if ac
cuseG and charged upon the innocent gross viola
ton Of the laws ct the and-then deeply injured
them. merited their seve7est censurc. Why
then, did they secretly aid and assist me. but pub
licy calumniate me! Such was the course thew
pursued. until they supposed their public ISLANDERS
had 50 far blasted nav reputation that their victim
could be sacrificed without danger to themselves
Unless ] was guilty OF the charges against me-
there was no reason Why should not have we'd
he confidence and support of the wing party Dur
Ting period Of nine years libored like slave
as thousands attest, in the organization of that
party and after the result of the election IN ISIS
| was solicited To accept Office and declined IL. |
satisfied with the business in winch was then
engaged ami subsequent events have convinced me
that the most unfortunate IN my life was that m
which ] accepted office. Ii was conceded that