The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1852-09-25
For the Free Trader.

Icdr StrS:--ln defence OF myself ana IN justice
to others, respectfully request you TO publish
the following corrections Of an article in your last
issue; partly editorial, partly furnished bavln.
reference to myself and others. Your CORES
poudent, or rather informant SAYS that l. (haylng
reference to the abolition meeting referred to-
being appealed to, stated that Mr. Matteson rent
ed n building in which there was Distillery, and
tina; he WAS about putting up another. The hrst
part of this statement is entirely untrue. lnever
said Mr. Matteson rented dlStllery, | did
say was informed, that he was about erecting
one, and told who nv informant was, by name
As well as by his calling. | also stated that the
same individual informed me- that he rented
rooms to Others who trafiicked in liquor |
further stated, that nv informant said, that Mr.
M.tVsou would not be considered an intern
perate man, but .ha, he drank a glass when in
social company moreover state, that demo
crat in this place had said. that be was pretty
well drunk or in liquor on his way home from
the convention, that nominated ham gu say
the Democrat pointed out by me denies ever
having told me so Now this he MAY safely do,
as do not lecjllect ever having personal con
versaton with him on the subject But the Dem
ccrat will not deny | vouch, that he did not say
So publicly ON two different occasions at two
different Temperance meetings in this place. II
with sufficient number Of witnesses, whose
veracity he will not doubt never said the
Democrat told,me so; what did say was that he
Y : my author for what | said.
Your correspondent wiliully or undesgnedly
i!ls into another false statement; viz; That
yhorted the brethren TO vote for the Wing
r'minee The point we discussed was, whether
We had not better sustain temperate men #
either of the other parties, than to make n"ml
nations of our own and TO lose some temperin
men we might otherwise assist in clecting. THIS
WAS my position and is my opinion still and said
II the statements were facts in reference 10 the
nominees for Governor, We ought To vote Tor
Mr. Wetb The only issue sbnut which feel
concerned is The temperance question, your job.
ct correspondent TO the contrary nutvthstand,
and app-thcnd it is the only question, Of great
moment pending in the State election, in the
opinions OF many others. ! am sorry Your Joliet
correspondent takes TIE opposite view; with
many of US At least in this county it is the ques
ton. Now whenever nv statements are de-
MED by nv authors, will be forthcoming with
the proof that they are my inf,rmants Hthey hare
lied p'ecse dire the mail again and jaSten the
de iat the RICH. place Csc, ScHLossER.
The aboveis, to say the'c1s, Oft, little bette
than quiobIing, A second attempt to drive the
rail" might, We fear, get it a little too near home
for the comfort Of Mr. Our informant is very
confident that Mr.. 5. did say that Col Matteson
owned and rented building in which there was
a dis,llery. He is also very confident that tie
drf, of Mr.. SIS speech was to induce the meeting
to support Webb for governor assuming the char
gcs againt Natteson to be established facts. But
this i. neither here nor there It makes very lit
tie difference wheh Mr. Schlosser represented
Col Matteson as a drinking man" or as one who
takes social glass" We object to the manner
in which political hacks and mountetanks are
constantly attempting to make capital out Of this
temperance question What can be more inefTa
by absurd than to say that temperance is the
only question Of great moment pending at our
state election" Who but Mr. 5. and perhaps a
few Of the "brethren," ever dreamed Of voting
against or for Mr.. Matteson on account Of the tenn
perance question: Ii Mr. S. s sincerely con
cerned for the success Of temperance, and moi
merely seeking a little political notoriey. permit
US respectfully, and very privately to give him ;
| few gentle hints. We make no question but Mr.
Webb is right" on the Temperance question l. e
he would not veto the Maine law, for instance
! should it be passed. At the same time, it il
quite certain that Mr Matteson is also right OF
the same question, which is abundanty evidenced
BY his votes in the senate at the last wo sessions
And we will tell you great secret, Mr.. Sehioser
that will surprise you: The legislature uiH b.
right From the very decided majority OF tenn
perance men in the last legislature numbering
/ at least three to one in both hou~es-who stool
ready. even at the last session, to pass the Maine
law had it been included in the governors pruela
maion-there is no earthly probability that there
will be majority against temperance in the mex
legislature Both gubernatcrial candidates an,
the legislature being right" the hint We wis, Il
convey to you, Mr.. S, is, Ihat, as you valuo TIA,
cause oftemperance, keep hands off The caust
is safe enough now. But il politicians of you
stripe attempt to take it under their especia
guardianship and keeping, you will XVII it as deaC
as door nail in twelvemonth, and make it rs obi
ons as abolitionism is itself litter The election
circulate petitions, deliver lectures and pass al
the resolves you please but don't attempt Il
drag it into the election ne plank Of your party
in the name of the good cause