Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-09-04
Moro False charges Refutcd.

No paper labored harder, among the horde who
used erery means, TO defeat Robert Dale Owen for
Congress, than the Louisville Journal. Among 9TH
ers of its false and fictitious beIs, it charged him
with plagiarism On this 1t rung Its changes, till it
found Its way into many of the wing papers. Those
who know Mr.. Owen would hesitate long before Civ
ing currency to such charge. As we expeeted Mr..
Owen, in the following article, completely refutes
the charge that even the Louisville Journal itself ac-
knowledges il.
To the Editors Of the Louisville Journal
GESTLrMKs: l have Just received (sent 10 by a
friend) paragraph from your paper headed "Owen
Plsgiarist," in which you copy two short songs; one
originally published in the "Winors Wreath, the other
since published if mine, in the Chaplei Of Mercy,
and the two with few verbal alterations, identical.
And YOU add this comment
add any unbushing literary thief ever transcend Ow-
en-? He is the author he says, of drama called POca-
hontas, did he steal that too y
Common fairness suggested the editor Of the New
York Tribune whose paper the exposal of this alleg
ed plagiarism first appeared that it was not likely that
the production of another had been published by
my own this evncing that he possesses share OF
that charity, which "thinketh evil, and which most
partlzan editors consider sheer folly show
towards opponent
The charitable Interpretation happens in this case, 10
be the one in few words, convince even
the editors of the Journal. The facts these
published anonymously in 1887, drama called "Po
cahonta and at page seventy our introduced the song
IN question. To the drama were appended notes, and
the note TO page seventy -four reads as follows:
"'Tis home where'er the heart is, &C."
'This song is altered from might've ballad tina
pleased me at the time read ill., and has remained in ms
memory, though have forgotten, knew the au
thof Is name"
| A more complete acknowledgment that the song wa.
mine, could have penned. If were required
justify presidents, this introduction Of popular bal
lad OF the day into DRAMA you aware that nigh
adduce the very highest authority but 1t is unnecessary
BY whom the song was sent, mine, to the "Chaple
of Mercy know not. II not by me probably by
some friend, who had it in "Pocahontas' and over
looked the note at all events (and that excupates me-
not with my consent or knowledge.
You ask If have stolen "Pocahontas" too If yot
mean the whole poem, is not likely for about the tim,
of its publication the editor of the Louisville Journal
who excellent Judge literary matters, published
extracts from the drama, and spoke Of it in high terms Of
appreciation. Ii is probable that cheat could have
been Pamed upon him. 1t very true, that was before
Robert Dale Owen known TO be its author, and also
before he had been candidate for Congress bu
that does not alter the merits of the case.
IT. however, you TO ask whether other small por
tons Of this drama not copied that to some ex
Tent Is true. At page l65 single line occurs COPIED
from Schilers "Walensien - and, in the note 10 tha
page the line is given in the original German. Again
al page l46, idea given in two lines, copied from
German ballad, of Burgher's, believe; and the note
gives the of the original ballad. Once more,
page lS4 the general train Of sentiment that through
Smiths speech, and naturally suggested by his sua
tion somewhat resembled that which through Mrs
BarbauIds admirable essay "lnconsstency in Ex-
pectaions," and was possibly suggested by it, This al
SO, in the note TO page ls4, acknowledge.
hold that any author who regards a reputation for lit
eray honesty ought be scrupulous this yet, you
are aware, that there are many who are not so.
am happy to be able to agree in the opinion express
ed in the conclusion o. your paragraph that to steal po
ety, is in moral view species of petty larceny There
IS much moral dishonesty in it in stealing hog OF
horse though laws do not condemn plagiaTss TO the
penItenary Just as, since Shakspeare's time a
least honest men regard il crime as heinous wilfuy
steal mans character to steal his purse. comics
that regard the man, who, either to crafty private NAL
ice party purpose, deliberately and know
ingy aduces his neighbour to be scoundrel as base
generally more cowardly than most of the criminal
whom our laws condemn to the whipping post.
We shall have better world of it when public opn
ion its seal of condemnation, in all cases. thes
and similar acts of immortality which the law reache
not.
Do calculate too largely your sense of justice il
expecting that you will give insertion TO this commnnica
ton? ROBERT DALE OWEN.
NEW HARMONY, Aug. 81, 1645