Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-03-08

sign and such deed revolving the American mind
and foreign the American character. They are wor
thy only u the most Infamous age OF Italian crime.
If our political contests are be mingled with. follow
ed by personal violence. how long will our elective sys
TEN endured Without further comments. submit this
extraordinary passage the consideration of candid men
Christians and patriots, who love and respect the laws
anu institutions OF country md desire 10 guard and de-
tend them against all violation
Zen. Shields says an 1910 gave him something
N The shape Of tnat certificate of natlraE -ution 2
which ITO simplify The proof Of difficulty -
The naturalization laws do not recognize something or
anything in the shane Of final certificate TO- simpli-
ty proof ofdfculty, for any other purpose
How, then, could L. circuit Judge have given him any
such paper. The statement has fact legal provision
probability. support it, The truth is, such ''cer
tlfcae" was given by He may, or may not,
have procured copy Of the record Of his naturalization
under the seal of the court, and that Is the OILY cert
cate could have any connection with, directly or ndI
Tecty The rsi and only knowledge ever mad of Gen.
ShIedss father either in connection with his citizenship
in any other connection derived from an article pub
shed IN the St Louis Republican. short time slbse
quent to the election of Senator. And have vet see
or hear OF any man in Illinois elsewhere vino knew
that his father even resident Of this country
Gen Shields says knew that he (being minor al the
time nauralizad by The naturalization Of his father
because he told me Of the circumstances Suppose
he did tell me 50, (Which positively deny y does that
make it so Even though the assertion might convince
me Of the fact bundle Of cerca from me. no mat
ter how strong. would be of no legs. value IL be true
that his fshe was in this country aud naturazad is
possible that Cen Shields should know the fact and not
know the State and county where it occurred. When
authentic copies OF III naturalization papers, if they
exist, could be so easily procured is it not strange he
should attempt TO eXort from me by statement
Shlch,lf obtained, could have legal bearing upon the
subject.
What the consequences are against which General
Shields gives fair warning" If persist in what n,
sane man will call njnsiice,' equally ignorant Of
and Indifferent 10. One tn ny is certain, be they what
they may. have not given, shall give him. any
Statement" ofthe character required either ..quiety'
or upon imperative demand"
In CONCLUSION, will that have neither provoked
desired the necessity that has mpelled me 10 make
this communication. respectfully submit it under the
full conviction that is called for bv the crcums ances
HENRY BREESE.
Washington, February g. 1919
The National Inellgencer. Of Thursday morning
Publishes the following card from General Shields:
WAsHNGroN, Feb. Is, lS1o
Ii is with much reluctance feel compelled TO o5trude
On the notice Of the public statement explanatory of
private letter addressed by few days ayo to the
Hon. Sidney Breese and published by him. with com
mentS, in the in,egeneeE. Of this day. The facts are
these: Mr. Breese has been for many months engaged in
dustrlOusly in disseminating the injurious reports
concerning me, the only Osien<be motive bpur that nv
friends had brought me forward his competitor for cleo
ton to the Senate Of the United States. had been ever
since my visit this city last summer cogujzant Of Iii,
efforts, unceaslng unremltrng and reckless blast my
character and rob Inc Of the only wealth which can
/ lay claim-a reputation thank God, without blot In
mediaely my arrival here wrote hm the letter he
has published accusing him of his baseness That letter
written under the influence Of ordinary emotions va
ennrhPd IN language which under other circumstances
would not have used; and. upon reflection and by th-
advice OF my friends auhorz two honorable Sena ors
formally to withdraw it. Mr. Breese declined to yield il
up and the he has made of shows by what motives
he actuated
That portion Of my letter which he has distorted into
threat Of assassination, shall briefly notice The n lns
he used TO prevent my election Of such nature tina
the competition between became personal struggle
and as his triumph wond have been an endorsement OF
his caumnes my character and position involved
the issue. determined, therefore, as minated in nv
letter render such triumph unavaiIing by ,hooug
exposure of his character and conduct thus turning into
moral pory the position of Senator of the United States
which he would have acquired by the vest misrepresen
taons The Interpretation he has put upon this threat
that s,that had avowed to assassnae hm-s 80 absurd
that it would be equally prepps.erous my part serious
! ly to repudiae snch meaning. That any sane man
apprehension. That Mr.. Breese himself dreamed q
such thing, is totally impossible
For the controversy in which Mr. Breese would involve
ne on other matters, have no relish do not think
myself warranted, except in the case Of the above
statement for sell defence thrusiinu nv personal con
the notice Of the public besides that the course
Mr. Breese has pursued in relation to my letter. dsenti
ties him to that consideration which might induce Inc IN
der other circumstances to reply 70 his remarks.
JAMES SHIELDS.