The Davenport gazette., 1853-07-21
IFor he Gaxette.1


appears in the last issue Of the 'sBanner.'
The opinions Of the Banner and its Editor,
Mr.. Eagal, are to me matters Of very small
Importance. When my reputation for ve-
.racity and correct department comes down
to their level it will no longer be worth de-
tending.
II the base falsehoods contained in that
article circulated no further than where the
facts are known, should not trouble myself
or others with contradicting them. But
there may be some who do not know that
the man who penned that article is unwor-
thy of belief, or of the countenance Of any
honest man, and that the assertions con-
tanned therein are as false as his heart is
to every sentiment of true manhood o.
noble virtue.
The charges arc first, not being true
Democrat Second, "Defying the people to
keep me from getting nomination" Ttird,
being temperance man and having "lugged
into the political arena a moral question in
direct opposition to our political creed
Foarth, with managing the precinct meet
ing and closing before the time, and Fifth,
with packing the convention."
To the first OF these charges | have only
to say that il Democracy means strict
adherence to the crooks and windings, low
,rickery and sneaking meanness, which
have marked the course of the Editor of the
Banner, then most certainly am no Demo-
crat But If Democracy means govern
ment OF the people, equal privileges to all,
and strict adherence to the principles
which viii produce the greatest good to the
creates, number, then claim and my actions
prove me to be Democrat, and in this
respect, which is the true and proper in
terpretation of the term, presume all true
lovers of their race are Democrats. But
like every other good thing it has often been
prostituted to meet unholy purposes, in
proof of this take one case, to wit, the at
tempt Of the Editor Of the Banner to wrap
the pure robes of republicanism and equal
rights around his politically deiormed car
cass.
To the second charge, to wit, "Defying
the people to keep me from getting nom
nation" Ny only reply to this is, that
there is not one syllable of truth in it, and
that it is an unmitigated faisehood only
worthy Of its origin.
To the Third charge, that I am a temper
ance man, plead gaity if there is any sin
connected with that must bear it, my hope
and wish is that may never be less tenn
perance man than at present. But to the
charge that would suffer my right hand 10
be cut off rather than vote for any man but
q .Son of Temperance" or anything Of the
kind, most unhesitatingy pronounce it
like its author luing lac got up expressly
for the occasion. and manufactured to ac-
complish certain purpose. have said,
right arm than to vote for any man to make
or execute laws who was manufacturer
or vender of intoxicating liquors as bever-
age" if that be treason make the most Of
il.
My motto for years has been and still is
moral suasion and kindness for the drinker,
but strong legal suasion flr the manulactur-
er and vendor. But the last feature of this
charge is the most singular Of all this bundle
of absurdties, to wit, that | have plugged
into the political arena moral question in
direct opposition to our political cresd.' Mr..
Editor of the Banner you do me too much
honor and the whole Democratic party too
much injustice, inasmuch as | honestly be-
lieve that morality TO some extent was
living tremendously with the true principles
of Democracy long before had an existence
and consequently must have been "lu2ged
in" by some other person, whose well earn
cd laurels ! will not aid you in stealing
from its proper owner, even to deck my own
humble brow. But is it fact, as you state,
that this or any other mora question is in
direct opposition to our political creed! Is
it fact that good morals and sour political
creed' are at variance, Ii so the Democ-
racy which YOU possess, or rather which
possesses you, is not the kind which have
sworn allegiance to, and again say, that
am not that kind of Democrat. want
the political creed by which | regulate my
actions to agree with morality and if you are
Of a different opinion can only say there
is no accounting for tastes and we must part
company.
| come now in the fourth place to that
precinct meeting, the management of which
you think SO exceptionable You, Mr..
Editor of the Banner, was at that time chair
man of the central committee. You called
the convention, solitary and alone so far as
have been able to learn You fixed the
time Of holding that precinct meeting. l en-
quired and sought diligently through the
course of the week, and 50 did very many
others, to find out when the delegates We're
to be elected, for il had got whispered about
that a certain mans "Nroal icas to be cut do
YOU understand that classic phrase, Mr..
Editor OF the Banner!) and We were anxious
to see the operation performed; but all our
seeking and asking were in vain until Friday