The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-16
7,O THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD
Sir-Xp beg to ASSURE Won that Il is with much re

SiT-We beg to assure you shat 1t is with much re-
selves before the public in vindcation OF reputa
ton and staining As an organization connected with the
Fire Department of New York. When sssaed in
a public journal other is left open for
adopton but TO appeal to the community through the
medium Of like channel in justification Of conduct
and character and the invariabe fairness which you
have exhibited of giving hearing to both sides,
induces to hope that We will not ask at your hands
IN vain opportunity to vindicate ourselves The ie
gislature IN its wisdom, has made ample provision for
the punishment Of sanderous magnity, but the petty
spite which coaks itself beneath editorial ''we
only be adequately dealt with by exposure in some
widely circulated journal of standing and responsibility,
such as the NEW YoRk hrasID. In , the Msr'
malicious and unaerhanded attack upon the
members Of Hook and Ladder Company No. IL. It is
written under the guise Of sympathsing protest
against qualification of, what the writer terms
sPoints in relation TO Hook and ladder Company No.
Il;'' communication which he informs us was sent
the Mercury without any signature, and does not
s.to give this document publicity" However, it fur
ihers the elm OF tie slanderer by embracing Ia sub
stance every Of the base accusations contained in
the sPoints, for have that precious document be-
fore us, IN 1t certainly unlike tho ordinary form
OF communications to pu bic journals any piece #
paper could wen be- The document Is wrttea in pencil
without any superscription or address, containing
merely the heads OF gross and scurrous charges 1t has
all the appearance memoranda intended suggestions
TO Jog the memory of one who proposed 10 write upon
pre- determined subject rather than that Of ordinary
ton to public newspaper. Dat, sir, far
a. we are personally concerned every thing in the
curncnt referred TO, and everything in the Mercurys
article giving color to its malignant spirit we brand as
a low base aud upmitigated falsehood We had hoped
that in the complete statementto which you so kindly
gave publicity last weekof the neiarious practices Of
some party who has been swndlng the community in
name, entire and satisfactory reuation OF any
supposed participation in those transactions therein
contained We concerned to observe that neither
the correspondent % OF the Mercury the writer in
that paper appears be II the Mercury man feels
the interest which he constantly expresses for
the efficiency and wellbeing OF the Department, why
would no not give insertion in his paper 10 the vna
cation Of our character, which you, Sir, literally
extended to us last weckf Had declining to be
IN n "A
public through the columns Of the Mercury, any.
thing TO do with its reieraton OF old and exploded
fsbreationsf As to that we cannot say but in all
truth and justice II is really too bad that paper
which, to some extent is exponent Of the
views OF the Fire Department OF the city ut al events
chroncicr their proceedings aud circulating
somewhat largely among the members of the depart
ment, should give any eoantenancc to such malignant
insinuations those suggested by the OF the
tIoints" We entirely coincide with the Mercnry's
opinion, that much money has been collected !" down
town. by some pundering s~indier, which has never
been nted for 10 us All that fully forth
statement Of last week. But the suggestion, how
ever Of the Mercurys anonymous correspondent adopt.
ed by the editor that money enough has been collect
cd down town. for the beacht of No H. TO build palace
upon Fifth avenue,' Is ono Of those wild assertions
which, from their atsurdy, bear their refnta.iou on
their face We have palace; but venture to as
ert ncontestibe fact that there very few II
any companies in the city who exhibit cleaner,
better furnished and more properly ordered trucs house
than No III We have not asprcd to uxuries, but We
lave to the attainment Of as much efficiency in our or
gangaiiop as assiduous cndeavor could secure NOT,
sir, have depended alone upon help from the bus
men 10 the lower part Of the city, We unhesat
nely assert that there member OF the company
whose means have been largely taxed In order TO
defray the expense attendant upon the furnish.
ing of our house With " the dishonesty OF
some Of the late oficers'' OF the company, have
nothing to do but the insinuaon that the present
beers OF the company carried any Gisreputable
sspeeulation we repel with and Indignation We
challenge the man who g does the FIRE articles In the
Mercury be his name Smith Jones Brown or Robinson
or any one else either to prove that No IFS men do not
conduct themselves, both in and cut Of their house in
pcaceabc and orderly manner The hint about 1.-The
donga the house to the contrary notwithstanding
Then again. the Mercury speaks Of the necessity OF
investigation We have expressed the slightest
objection to thorough investigation of all the charges
which petty malice has, from time 10 time, INDUCED Va
against us. searching examination of all and every
one oil them, y OF all other things what most
iously desire We 10 not court dartuess-our affairs
and our actions perfectly willing should stand
forth in the MONDAY light OF complete public inquiry;
and we will most cheerfuy, at any moment before
committee of the Common Council, other proper
thortes, and mset-and know shall successfully
any accusation affecting honor and character as
citizens standing members OF the Fire Department
Of the city OF New York Nothing do more desire.
before The community, through the medium OF the
press vndication Of character from baseess at
acks which are either the carnations of disappointed
y wilfui and malicious spirit but that may no
permitted TO no on our career bremen, with such
credit and efficiency energy and good conduct eau ip
sure. Respectfully yours, -, - - :. tlyf. 80
JANIS 3, WnxAErn, sccSctary. i. &. n afs aats.