Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-04-07
RICHMOND, April 8. 1881

.,
To tie Editors ofhe Times:
GENTLEMEN: The report which is published
in your paper OF this date, of the proceedings
had in the Mayors Office, yesterday, before JUS
tlce Evans, on the charge preferred sgainst me,
by two females, needs brief notice, mt nv
hands am that had the evidence, as
taken in the Mayors Court, been known to YOU.
such report of the case would never have found
its way into your most respe ctabe and influential
paper.
In addressing you this brief reply, seek no
newspaper controversy, with your reporter or
any one else, but rather to shield that character
for piety, sobrety and good behaviour, so amply
testified to by go many and such respectable wit.
nesses Regardless of this, and reckless as to
the moral consequences. touching my good name
and ecclesiastical functions, your reporter has,
would hope, fundamentally. given to the
world, an improper ststement of the case, As
evidence of this | respectfully refer you to the
statement OF my counsel, Mr.. J. H. ,Gilmer, and
the concurring statement of the gentlemen whose
names are signed to their appended note, to the
statement of my nephew, and also TO the exami-
nation of this case, given in the Dispatch of this
morning.
Surely. gentlemen, under this weight of testi-
mony, connected with the attendant circumstan-
ces. it cannot be regarded, by any fair minded
man, that the erroneous judgment of presiding
Justice, should mar the consistency or DESTROY
the moral vantage ground, of life hitherto un-
furnished by the breath ofscandal and untanted
by the blighting influence Of calumny. The
force, drectness, weight, consistency and number
OF the facts and circumstances established
beyond controversy by me. it would seem, should
have not only outweighed, in the scales of JUS
tice, the statements of the females and that of
the watchman but should have shielded me from
the gratuitous differences Of your reporter, who
seems to have strained point to find room for an
improper attack upon my individual and clerical
character. But enough of this. procured the
statement of the gentlemen which | hand you
with this, with no view of a newspaper contro-
versy, but to before the proper tribunal in
the church to which belong on charge which
intend to prefer against myself. But since,
through your columns. have been so unfairly and
unjustly assailed, | deem it alike due to myself,
my position and this community. in which have
many cherished friends. to place myself right
This opportunity am sure you will afford me.
Having, without any agency of yours, scattered
broad cast the poisoned infection of an exparte
statement, hope you will, though the same chan.
nell allow to flow the mider influence of the
enact state Of facts, as far they are recoected
and stated by the gentlemen who have made
them On this evidence am prepared to rest
my defence before just, discriminating. and
truth loving public. With those, who seek an
opportunity from this unpleasant affair to wound
my character and detract from my good name
and standing in the church to which belong,
can have no controversy. Within her holy or
ders and from her ecclesiastical Judgment shall
seek my defence. To those who know me,
need none other. Respectfully.
JOSEPH DEBTOR.