The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-30
The Burlesque Circular.

l. Our contemporary OF the Union gives place
to two columns of letters and editorials in rela-
ton to burlesque parody on the card Of GER
tain members of Congress. 1t seems to US that
he has the faculty of being amused or excited
| oy trifes; but, in our humble judgment, life is
| too short to be wasted in the discussion Of such
| puerlities. 1t would be well if he would settle
for the satisfaction of the nursery ''who killed
| Cock Robin !" and then, for the ediication of
children of larger growth, we will aid him
in his profound researches into the authorship
| of the burlesque But as the first is altogether
the more important question, he must excuse
us if we insist on its being disposed of before
we turn our attention to the latter. = a.
|. We only deem it necessary to annex the sem
sible letter of Colonel german, with the re-
mark that we cannot well imagine that there is
any corner of this Union 80 covered with intel
lectual darkness as to furnish an individual
sufficiently benighted to be deceived to any ex-
tent by sucha burlesque. At all events, we are
quite sure that Mr.. INGERsoLL does great in
justice to the State he represents if he supposes
there is man in CONNECTICUT who could be
deceived into the belief that TRUMAN SMITH
is seeding DEMocRAT. We apprehend that
Mr.. SMITH has lived to little purpose if such
SANDER on his fair fame could find an individual
in CONNIE crIcUr who would give it a moments
credence: .".
HOUSE OF REPaEsENTATIvEs,
August IS, 1852.
k SIR /: have received your note asking for my
recollection in regard to Colonel Ward having
franked certain circular touching the Presiden.
tal question was present in the post Office of
the House of Representatives when you presented
the paper to Colonel Ward, and asked If that
his frank. To which be replied that it was, but
that he knew nothing about the getting it up
signing it. Treated the circular a burlesque
upon one put forth over the signature of Hon. Rob-
ert Toombs and others, giving their reasons for
not supporting General Scott
afterwards called on Colonel Ward to see whe-
Their it was his frank. He said that he supposed it
was, but that he did not know when or how no
came to sign it. That he frequently Gas did other
members) ranked papers that he did not know
the contents. ,'. IN
understand him to-day as saying that he does
not now recoect Of having franked it. i know he
has always treated it as hoax when he has named
it in my presence. After my first interview with
Colonel Ward,I spoke of it to General Lane and
yourself. then stated to General Lane that Colo
mel Ward denied signing the paper, but did not
deny ranking it. have treated this whole affair
as hoax from the beginning, yet calculated, to
some extent, to deceive parts Of the country.
l must say that cannot believe that Colonel Ward
gave his consent knowingly to its circulation
as genuine document ..~..,..
am, with high regard, your obedient servant.
w. A. GORMAN.
Hon. C. M. lNoERsoLL, House of Representatives.
As to the interrogatories Of the Union, we
need only say that we never saw the Copy
that we have no knowledge who furnished it
that we do not know whether the card was
printed at the Republic ofhce-whether there
was large or small edition of it---or whether
the Wing Committee, or any member thereof,
had any thing to do with it. But we will add,
that if the Union will send polite note to the
gentleman who has charge of our printing Of
fee, we have no doubt that it will obtain all
the information that it desires. For our own
part, we have no time to waste in seeking to
inform ourself on subjects merely for the pur-
pose of answering impertinent questions, just
at the close of the session.