The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1842-01-13
VOL. 2 NO. 52, WHOLE NO. iO4


be compelled to bear their just prep ,rton Of
that, which heretofore, have sogy and alone
been forced to sustain.
No one but myself knows What | have suf-
fered, have, since the fret disclosures were
made, seen friend after friend desert me, and
out of all that numerous host with which | was
on terms Of intimacy, but few remain that cali
themselves my friends. Considerations OF hons
or, (whether tue or fase) towards my conlsd-
crates Influenced my conduct at the time Of
my arrest, and long time subsequent there
to. Because was involved in trouble, did
not wish to involve lhem To me, that would
have been no qualification or relief | pre-
sumed they felt, as | did, deep reg&t for their
unlawful ac's, and that they .wouA'seat least,
so far as in their power, raieve me from nv
difficulty. | expected them to act honorably
towards me; and 1t was moi until discovered,
upon several occasions, and evident, design
Notwithstanding repeated assurances 10 the
contrary) 10 sacrifice and destroy me, TO load
mo with gnomny, and whistle me down the
world, prey to iotune,' lha, understood The
true position in which | was placed. They
appeared TO consider it necessary 10 SO far ruin
my reputation, that aught could say in rela-
ton to them would be ofno avail. They act
ed ns if they considered their safety dependen
on their eucCes 10 afiixIug infamy and odium
upon my character. How far they have sue
ceeded, depends upon verdict Of the people
They will pass upon it after they shall have
perused the statements and evidences | shall
lay before them Sensible Of having commits
tad moral wrong, can now only appeal 10
foTgiving and generous people; aud ifthey can
find any cxIenuatiOn, in consequence Ofmy ar
dent temperament, which iu the enthusiasm of
party excitement and party strategy, led me in>
10 eXcesSes, my object, so far as regards my
self, will be accomplished. With politics |
have done--l have no hopes or expectations
from party. The disclosures shall make,
will be made free from any bias, and, on MAJ
ture deliberalIOn, after having carefully collec-
ted the facts and memoranda upon which to
base it, know that fearful odds are against
mel am almos, friendless and alone. Op.
posed to me have wealth, character, influence
public and private station and trust. Fearful
odds! But, believing in the maxim, that 'lruth
is mighty. and will prevail | enter the lists,
considering that it is never loo late to redress
a wrong, or do good and justiGcabe action.
Independent Of auy evideuce, let US apply
the ordinary rules oflOgic 10 the transactions
in relation to these frauds, and see whether
they are for or against the truth ofmy state
ment. If the statement which made 10 Mr..
j. d, Stevenson in relation 10 these frauds was
not true, (and it has always been denied by The
leaders OF The Wing pariy,) why was remov-
ed from office? Ii was admitted that | had
faithfully and ably performed the duties ofihe
station held, and if the charges against me
were talse then was prosecuted man; and
as they admitted was competent, and had
rendered essential services TO the party, was
il moi their duty TO sustain me} | had their
their written acknowledgment ofmy services.
not in measured terms of unqualified approba-
ton Let us look also at the other eide of the
question. II The charges were true, and known
to Governor Seward and the prominent lead
ers OF the Whig party, (Which solemnly aver
they did not know.) were they not bound to
sustain me, instead of attempting 10 degrade
me, and leaving me 10 contend against the 9TH
er party unaided (except secretly end alonef
1t is we'll known that the Wing leaders would
neither openly carry me through my difficulties
nor permit the Wing party to rally around me.
If alone was guilIy-if they had no par,icip-
aiIon in the frauds-if they were gnorent of
the Transactions they were ignorant Of the
transaClions-if accused and charged upon
the innocent gross violation of the laws ofthe
laud then deeply injured item. merited
their severest censure, Why, then did they
secretly aid and assist me, but publicly calum
Mate me? Such was the course they pursued
until they supposed their public slanders had
so far blasted my reputation that their victim
could be sacrificed without danger to them
selves.
Unless was gully Of the charges against
me, there was 40 reason why | should not
have received tho confidence end support of
the whig party. During period Of nine years
abOrCd like slave, as thousands can attest,
in the organization of that partt; and after the
result of lhe election in 1888, | was solicited
to accept Office and declined it. lwas sats-
fed with The business in which was then en-
gagged; and subsequent events have con-
vinced me that the most unfortunate era in my
life was that in which accepted office. II was
conceded that meriled the office; il was con-
ceded that The duties were ably and faithfully
discharged; yet was removed from il before
the expiration fthe time for which was ap'
pointed. Was there moi some cause why
was removed? What was that Causea If | was
guilty of the frauds charged upon me, was
alone guil.yl were they known only to mel If