The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-11-03

self, Il could not be more groundless than Il
is agains, me. The power OF language does
not permit me TO express the utter ioatnihe
/ have for the conduct attributed TO me-
Far sooner would be the poor quiverine
wretch on the road again to the agony o.
bondage. than volunteer guard TO aid in
his return. He who invented the charge,
grossly slandered me - they who repeat OF
believe il, do not know me.
Il /, not true that am, or have ever been
in favor of the Fugitive Slave Bill never
voted Cor a man who favored it, know
ing such to be his views. and | must very
much change before eyer do. ! never by
word, act or vote. favored its passage, and
an an advocate oil its essential modification,
or in lieu thereof its unconditional repeal.
Returning from Canada last June, | read in
the oars that there was petition for its re.
peal ut the Exchange news room, and on my
arrival, before even going to my place oil
business, I fastened to the Exchange and
signed the petition.
To tho general assertion. that my " life is
covered all over with the badges OF the
STAKEHOLDER" can only intcrpose general
denial. You have been very much misled
in your estimate Of my character. Were it
not little egotistcal | might say, my heart
beats rs earnestly for the rights oil the
North, and my determinations are as stead
fast to oppose tho aggrcssons of the South,
as yours or your inlormants. But | am not
content with general denial. | ask that
the particulars be given-point to the place.
the time, aud the act, state the words,
the votes, or the deeds whereon this charge
is based. And If those on whose authority
you make it. cannot furnish them, ask you
in common fairness, to recall this statement,
so untrue, so unjust.
To the charge of being n pro'slavery
man." and an " old bunker" | state SIN
gle fact was not elected by the Wing
Convention member of the State Central
Committee OF that party, but several vacan.
cies having occurred, was verbally invited
by its secretary to attend meeting held
soon after the passage Of the Nebraska Bill.
l was present and offered q resolution, which
| sustained in speech, to the effect that
the Wing organizations would call q Con.
vention of the opponents OF the Nebraska
bill, without distinction Of party, to nomi'
maize fusion candidates 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 oil
events which placed in the political posi-
ton this day occupy.
| headed tho petition for tho use Of Fan.
ieul Hall for the great Anti.Nebraska Meet
ing in February last. l procured the officers
and speakers. I called the meeting to order,
and made the opening address, and think
Though / have no. 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 | am now
charged with being Nebraska man!
In conclusion, l would add, it is foreign
to my wishes to write this, or any personal
letter. But to permit these assertions 10
pass uncontradicted, would be construed,
where am not known, into q confession OF
their truth. | am warranted in saying, had
| the honor Of your acquaintance, as have
Of many Of your distinguished political
friends, you would never have given curren.
cy to these unfounded rumors. My lie and
conversation would have stamped their vi.
ter untruh 10 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 glorious
Commonwealth are too intelligent and too
chivalric to allow any man, however humble,
to DO injured by SANDERS rs base and un-
founded rs these. Such false assertions,
like the dragons teeth that were sown OF
old, at the proper time will spring up as
armed meE to defend the absent and calum'
mated from the assaults not so much Of his
foes, as Of the enemies Of those American
principles which you in your Worcester
speech have connected with my name. With
great respect, have the honor to be,
HENRY j. GARDNER.