American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-19

WASHINGTON /,
Tne REV. ThsoboId Matthew.


This gentleman, SO highly distinguished by
his services in the cause of temperance, has
closed his career in our country, and returned
to his native land. During his residence amongst
US We RETAINED from repeating any remarks to
his disadvantage or to his praise. He was la
boring in good cause, and therefore should
not be discouraged in his efforts He was a
minister of a church comprising large numbers
OF American citizens, whose respect and rever-
ence for him forbade the exhibition of hostility
toward him while guest within our domain.
He is now gone, however, and what has hith-
erto been family spoken is now being pro-
claimed aloud-whether justly or unjustly, it is
equally important to his friends and foes to de-
termine 1t is nothing less than that he has
enacted the part of an Inpostor in our country.
This is grave charge, and it is with surprise
we have heard it proclaimed Our reason for
not aiding to lonize him was simply that we
knew several Americans who had preceded him
in laboring in the temperance cause, who had
proved as able, as faithful, and as devoted as
he, and who were yet without honor. We re-
spected him for uniting Nth these in his oaon
country, whither they had gone as apostles from
among as; but We could not approve the trans
fer Of all the glory to him.
We have before us an article on this subject,
the publication of which we must withhold un-
til assured of the truth of its statements. We
do not know that they are true; and until con-
WINGED of this, we cannot give place to them, in
connection with the severe structures of the
writer. We shall, however, recite them, that
they may be confirmed or refuted by those who
possess correct information. They are as fol-
lows:
!. That no knowledge exists in this country
or in Europe of any individual indebtedness of
Mr.. Mathew.
2. That he is q jriar, and therefore, under his
VOW of poverty, cannot retain any money given
him, but must bestow all he receives from any
source upon the " Propaganda ytfde," or use it
under the direction of this authority.
3. That if he ever did contract debt of any
considerable amount, it was for the construc-
ton of magnificent Cathedral at Cork in 1S43
stamped, by an annuity of G300 year from
the queen, and by other contributions and
means of assistance, he has always received
sums of money more ample than are believed to
be possibly requisite for his needs in the prose-
cution of his temperance efforts.
8. That while all the temperance societies
and agents in this country make clear exhibits
OF all their receipts and disbursements, the
funds gathered by him are unknown, and the
uses to which they are applied are unrevealed.
6. That Mr.. Clay was deceived by some per-
son travelling in the suite of Mr.. Mathew, into
the belief that the latter gentleman was bur-
dened with an oppressive debt Of $3.50, 900, and
that while Mr.. M. was guest at his house he
wrote statement to that effect to Mr.. Grinnell.
Z. That in pursuance Of this statement, and
Mr.. Clay's recommendations in view of the
facts assigned, a subscription was taken up and
the proceeds given to Mr.. NJ, who did not con-
tradict this report.
8. That nevertheless Mr. Mathew had him
self positively declared, few months before,
that he owed no such debt, that he was fully
out of debt, and free from all the anxieties of o
debtor
We repeat, that whether these charges are
true or false we do not know, and that we pub |
lish them for the purpose of elciting the truth.
If they are true, miserable, disgraceful, vii |
famous, and Infamous scheme of imposture has
been practised. II they are false, a mild, kind,
benevolent, charitable and estmable gentleman
and religious minister has been most vilely and
shamefully slandered. In the former case, we
shall denounce him, though millions denounce
us for the act. In the latter, we shall gladly
defend and support and honor him, though no
other voice should be raised in his defence.