Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-05-18
Further Reply to brother FIetcher's
Letter.

Further Reply to brother FIetcher's
Letter. ~
| resume the work from which was
broken off while preparing matter for the
first page. The attention of the reader
is invited to what is there to be found,
previously to taking up what is here to
follow.
Before proceeding to remark on the re-
naming part of the letter, following the
mark for nv last note. | will offer an
opinion which I have formed in connec-
ton with the case. My mind vas called
to the consideration which led 10 the opin-
ion, before the notes were finished, but
not until that part was in type where the
opinion would have properly come in
as the printer was allowed, as usual, to
use up the manuscript about as fast as it
fell from the pen. My opinion is, 1.-The
same / have offered in regard to another
production,l that the letter signed and for.
warded by Ryland Fletcher, to be found
on the first page of this paper, was, in
the whole or in part. originally from "the
head and heart of Joseph Fireman." the
leading actor in this whole business con-
nected with getting up the Journal. 1t
comes to me, of course, in brother Fetch
er's hand wiring. And l may be mis-
taken as TO its real authorship = but l
think not. Leaving this, however, pass.
The writer of the letter says - in the
part following what have already COM
4 mented on" have had reason 10 believe
for long time that you have concealed
your real principles" This ungenerous
and outrageous thrust comes from one
who has just before been complaining Of
cruelty and ruthlessnessl pronounce il
ungenerous and outrageous, in view of all
the circumstances. To amplify an idea
briefly presented 10 italics. in the middle
of the 10th note on the first page-I pro-
test that the very reverse of the charge
now brought against me, has been the
thing hitherto complained Of; and to es
tablish the truth of this position, | appeaI
to universal observation aud testimony
The complaint has been, that L have beer
too ready and too plain in uttering my
sentiments - that l have been too impru
dent in publishing views of my own which
might better have kept. And it is my
candid and honest belief now, that if
had been less ingenious - less faithful tc
my own conscience, and to the souls O.
others--if | had been "p-udent," i. e
careful never to say or do an unpopular
thing, whatever my convictions of truth
or duly might have been-if had allowed
myself to be made the plant tool Of {
party, neither allowing myself 10 ute
nv own convictions nor use my owl
words If bad asked what doctors @
divinity and other popular religious teach
! ers and leaders would have me do, ins.ea
7 of asking what Jesus Christ would hav
me do-all would have been we'll. Tha
is. those who are now my opponent
e would have been my supporters. If tn
q writer of The letter, instead of brin gin
the charge to which am now replying
had said that he had for long time see
hat was Publishing views and sent
It ments-not concealing them = which b
J. would rather | had kept concealed, h
would have come nearer TO truth, honest
= and fair dealing.
e He says he has "had reason to believe
1. &c. Where and from what has he Of
ul tanned these reasons? Where, bul fro
D. VIVA. l have published? And in VIVA.
~ have published. have not been full an
ffank2 The truth is, there is a de,e
n mination. On the part Of my opponents
to throw suspicious on the Telegraph. /
" making The people believe, if possible, til
Il I entertain some monstrous sentiments
: But my accusers have not the homes
= towards me, or the fidelity to the cause
e. truth, to undertake to point out what a