Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-11-07
Lcller from Mrnry ]. onr4ncr.

Sir,-On my return home, after some DAYS
absence, have heen shown a copy of the
Boston Daily Advertiser of Friday last, con-
tanning an extract from the Worcester Spy,
purporting to be sketch of a speech recently
made by you. l am further informed that
you applied the remarks to me by name.
The extract is as follows: "What has
been the result thus far They have met in
Convention-n Boston and nominated man,
as the representative of their principl who
was one of the first subscribers to the fund to
establish the Chronicle started with the avow-
cd purpose of repeating the Maine Law. And
then, as to his worthiness on the subject of
Slavery-his life is covered all over with the
badges Of the Shareholder. l am credibly in
formed that he was one of the Marshal's body
guard, when man like ourselves was kid
mapped in Boston, and carried through the
streets to be consigned to endless slavery, un-
til Heaven, in its mercy, shall effect his liber-
alton through the portals Of the grave. He
has vindicated by speech and vote the Fugi-
tive Slave Law, and gone as far as any man
in this Commonwealth in support OF the Com
promises.
l had supposed from your high reputation
for integrity and probity, you would not will
lingly have made statements concerning any
man based only on mere electioneerins gossip,
and am fully assured you will promptly and
cheerfully give as extensive publicity to the
denial of the charges, as to their original as
sertion.
To the first statement reply, never sub
scribed dollar to the fund to establish the
Boston Chronicle. was neper asked to sub
scribe. neUer knew there was such a sub
scription, or such a fund. l do not know by
sight, and was never even introduced to, a
cin0lo oonpnofa6 with hot 9th
er as proprietor, editor, or publisher.
The assertion that was one of the body
guard of Sims or any other fugitive, ON his re-.
turn to slavery, pronounce false as whole
and false in all its parts-false in its aggregate
and false in every detail. 1t has no shadow of
basis Of any sort, kind or degree, and its origi-
nator, whoever he was, coined the libel out of
pure, unadulterated falsehood.
Were the same charge made against your
self, it could not be more groundless than it
is against me. The power of language does
not permit me to express the utter loathing
have for the conduct attributed to me. Far
sooner would l be the poor quivering wretch
on the road again to the agony of bondage,
than volunteer guard to aid i'll his RETURN
He who invented the charge, grossly SANDER
ed me; they who repeat or believe it, do not
know me.
1t is not true that l am, or ever have been,
in favor of the Fugitive Slave Bill. l never
voted for man who favored it, knowing such
to be his views, and l must very much change
before l ever do. l never, by word, act, or
vote, favored its passage, and L am an advo-
cate of its essential modification, or in lieu
thereof its unconditional repeal. Returning
from Canada last June, read in the cars, that
there was petition for its repeal, at the Ex-
change News Room, and on my arrival, before
even going to my place of business, FASTENED
to the Exchange and signed the petition.
To the general assertion, that my "lfe is
covered all over with the badges of the slave
holder" l can only interpose a general denial.
You have been very much misled in your es-
innate of my character. Were it not little
egotistical, l might say, my heart beats as
earnestly for the rights of the North. and my
determinations are as steadfast to oppose the
aggressions Of the South, as yours or your in
formants. But am not content with a gen.
eral denial. l ask that the particulars be
given,-point to the place, the time, and the
act,-state the words, the votes, or the deeds,
wherein this charge is based. And if those
on whose authority you make it, cannot fur
nish them, ask you in common fairness, to
recall this statement-so untrue-so unjust
10 the charge of being "pro-slavery man."
and an "old bunker" state single fact.
was not elected by the Wing Convention,
q member Of the State Central Committee of
that party; but several vacancies having oe-
Cured, was verbally invited by its Secretary,
to attend meeting held soon after the pas
sage of the Nebraska Bill. l was present,
and offered resolution, which l sustained
in speech, to the effect that the Wing
organization should call Convention of the
opponents of the Nebraska Bill, without dis
tinction Of party, to nominate Fusion candi-
dates for State officers, as was done in Ohio,
Vermont, Michigan, and other States. This
resolution was however lost, and its defeat
was one Of series of events which placed me
in the political position 1 this day occupy.
l headed the petition for the use of Faneuil
Hall for the great Nebraska meeting in
February last. l procured the officers and
speakers. l called the meeting to order and
made the opening address, and think Though
l have not the record by me) was one of its
Vice Presidents. The petition is in the city
archives-the other facts in the journals of
the day-and yet l am now charged with be-
ing Nebraska man
In conclusion, l would add, that it is for
eign to my wishes to write this, or any perso-
nal letter. But to permit these assertions to
pass uncontradicted, would be construed,
truth. | am warranted in saying, had the
honor Of your acquaintance, as l have of
many of your distinguished political friends,
you would never have given currency to these
unfounded rumors. My life and conversation
would have stamped their utter untruth to
your satisfaction.
cannot answer all the false rumors that
may be originated hereafter. Let the utter
falsity of these show my fellow citizens how
little reliance can be placed on others from
similar sources and for similar ends. ! am
proud to know the people of our glorions
Commonwealth are too intelligent and too
chivaric to allow any man, however humble,
to be injured by ISLANDERS as base and unbound
ed as these. Such false assertions, like the
dragons teeth that were sown of old, at the
proper time will spring up as armed men to
defend the absent and illuminated from the
assaults, not so much of his foes, as of the en-
emies of those American Principles which
you in your Worcester speech have connected
with his name.
With great respect,
| have the honor to be,
HENRY ]. GARDNER.