Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-10-14


whom | have spent the last eleven years of my
life, and from whom | have received many acts
ofkindness, and also that encouragement which
a liberal public is always sure to bestow on
honest industry.
And now sir with these Introductory remarks
| will proceed to examine the charge alluded
to.
You charge that a gentleman of this town,
(who by-the>by is a Native American and a
down easter at that,) and myself have armed
the Irish for the purpose ofmaking an attack
on the Know-Nothings of this town, and as a
natural consequence to cause murder to run
riot in our streets. This sir is a serious charge,
and one that ought not to be idly made, a
charge, which, coming from a gentleman, oc-
cupying your position in society bears double
ueight. You are a member of a christian church
which i~nculcate peace and good will to all
men-you sir, a member of the Ancient Order
of Masonry which teach charity and brotherly
love to the whole human race, but particularly
TO a brother bearing this latter relation towards
me, have not certainly given currency to this
vile charge, without first having proof as posi-
tive as holy writ, that that charge is true! l
challenge you to you proof sir-produce it.
and if you can show by any word, act, deed
or thought Of my whole life, that | could be
for a moment a participant in so vile a crime,
| will hold you blameless for whatever injury
may sustain by the publicity of it; and let me
add, that l have always discussed the public
topic of the day with that freedom of speech
becoming an American citizen, and it has never
been my habit, as is known to friends and op-
ponents to conceal my opinions. Had | the
slightest knowledge, that the Irish contempla-
ted such a crime as you impute to them, /
would be the first to give the alarm and cause
their arrest. And further sir, ! never possessed
a deadly weapon in my life nor carried any:
and at the moment l write this, the most war
like weapon on my premises is a carving knife.
Let ME ask, did it never occur to you when
you were giving currency to this vile charge
that it bore a palpable falsehood on its face!
For surely, my pecuniary interests in this CON-
munity are not second to your own, and | have
as much cause to dread mob violence on that
score as you have, and on other grounds my
interests are paramount to your own. You
are a single mani am the father of FIVE chill
dren, the oIdeat not more than seven years of
age. Think you that | would be likely to en- 1
gage in any reckless and lawless proceeding
that might by any possibility leave those chill
dren fatherless at their tender years? or do you
not think these considerations, if none other,
keep me clear of aay suce violence as
you charge. But sir, ] have sworn to support
The laws and constitution of the United Sa.sse !
TO say nothing Of my obligations as a Master
Mason, and it certainly would be a novel way
fulfilling the obligation that that oath i'm
plies, by arming one class of citizens against
an other, and thus creating a civil war in the
other men may do this thing sir, but
certainly shall have no hand in it. With this
statement, | submit my case to the judgment
Of my fellow-citizens, and again invite you to
your proof.
am, sir, your obi serv't,
F. GALLAGHER.