Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-28
The Rev. Mr.. DevIin--The Portsmouth
Affair.

IL WIN DC foCOhectcu Dy OUT feauefb, tnAt III
our issue Of the 20th instant we published a
letter, dated at Portsmouth, Virginia, March
18th, 1866, and signed " S." to the effect that
" an affair" had transpired in that quiet town,
on the previous evening, in which the Rev.
Mr. Devlin, Catholic priest, was made to fig
ure greatly to his disadvantage, in supposed
attempt to interfere in the family matters of
Mr.. George Cooper. The letter was endorsed
by gentleman Of Portsmouth, and we pub
lished 1t on his responsibility, as correct YER
sion of the occurrence.
On the Gath instant we received a letter from
Mrs. Charlotte Cooper, wife Of Mr.. George
Cooper, contradicting some of the statements
made by rs" in his letter above mentioned,
and we corrected the statement substantially
in conformity with Mrs Cooper's request and
we then said
There Is something mysterious in the conduct
of the priest and though not so cupable as he was
represented by our correspondent, yet some ex-
PLANTATION from him seems necessary to remove the
implication which results from the manner In which
Mr.. Cooper felt authorized to treat his application.
Our columns are open to him, II he has any wish
to give an explanation, 1t being our purpose to do
injustice TO no man, knowingly"
Awaiting himself Of the offer which we made to
Mr.. Devlin, as above, he sent us on yesterday
the communication which win he found below,
accompanied by letter from L. @. P. Cowper,
Esq, Of Portsmouth, expressing his belief that
injustice had been done to Mr.. Devlin, and we
cheerfully publish Mr.. Devlin's statement of
the case We have furnished him, as In duty
bound, the name of the writer of the original
letter, signed 49," in order that he might
know, Gas he had right to know,) the source
from which the statement came. We have no
idea that any injustice was intended to be
done by IS" on the contrary, we have now
before us another communication from the
same source, distinctly declaring as follows:
g The statements made by me In my letter of the
18th, were verbatim as told by Mr.. Cooper
himself which can be proven by over fifty witness
ses, whose integrity and good standing in the COM
munity will not, for moment, be doubted; and
shall leave i with Mr.. Cooper and withdraw from
the contest"
We do not wish to add fuel to the fame, by
the publication of any further communication
on the subject, against Mr.. Devlin, until the
statement of Mr.. Cooper himself shall appear
over his own signature The statement of
Mr.. Devlin appeals directly to Mr. Cooper for
confirmation, and in the present position Of the
case, we consider it our duty to submit Mr..
Devlin's statement It seems to us perfectly
clear (or we have seen the original despatch
that Mr.. Devlin was properly fulfilling request
Of the Rev. Mr.. Purcell, of Cincinnati, in call
ing upon Mr.. Cooper to inquire for Mrs.
Cooper; but as to what occurred at the inter-
view between Messrs. Devlin and Cooper, we
have no opinions to express, as this is ques-
ton of fact depending on their statements re-
spectively.
1t is and always has been our aim to do JUS
tice to all men, in our columns, and If through
inadvertence, or misinformation, we shall do
any man injustice, it will be, as now, pleasure
to us to publish his vindicaion.
If it becomes necessary in the discharge Of
our duty, to our party and to the country, to
lash designing politicians, and reckless dema-
gogues, we shall shrink from no legitimate
responsibility in the discharge of that duty,
but we confcsss our unwillingness to meet that
far more solemn responsibility, which would
attach to us, if we were wantonly to sport with
the character or feelings, Of any man or woman,
in their private relations. Influenced by this
sense Of responsibility, we have always urged
and-now urge, upon all our correspondents, the
greatest care and caution, in reference 10 mat
ters Of private or personal character. Yet
still they and zoe are liable to be deceived, but
phen deceiced, it is alike their duty and ours,
to correct the errors which have been commit
ted.
In our contests with those who oppose our
doctrines, we have facts and truth enough
always on our side, and need not resort to fic-
ton to sustain our cause nor ought we, nor
DiU zoe, inculcate the belief, that those whose
tenets and doctrines are different from ours,
cannot act on any occasion from pure and hon
est motives. We tolerate no such bigotry,
nor do we believe that any intelligent man viii
tolerate It
In conclusion, and whilst submitting these
views, and presenting Mr.. Devlin's letter to the
public, we again express the belief that there
has been no intentional injustice done by our
correspondent to that reverend gentleman.
PORTSMOUTH, (vs.,) March 20, 1855.
Editor of the american Organ;
DEAR Sin: Having read the article In your pa
per Of the Gath instant that your columns are
open 10 me TO clear what you call mystery, I
feel grateful for your kindness to do me justice,
send the following statement:
In the first place never saw, never had any
correspondence whateverin any manner with Mrs
Cooper The lady Is to me a total stranger. On
the 18th instant received the following despatch
from Catholic priest in Cincinnati, Ohio. Here
Is a copy, 1.-THE original enclose:)
"CTsciSsArI, 18th March, 1855.
"Rev. CATHOLIC PRIEsr:
"Is Mrs. Charlotte Cooper member Of your
congregation in Portsmouth, or has she left. Her
parents are in great distress to know.
"EDw'D B. PURCELL"
requested young gentleman Of my congrega-
ton to accompany me. Il enclose his endorse
ment) Having seen Mr.. Cooper who answered
our summons at his door, inquired IL his wife was
at home, handing at the same time the despatch.
was answered In the Affirmative. asked II 1
might acc her In his preaence n few momenta an q