Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-06-28
| To the Editor of the Pennsylvania Inquirer

To the Editor Of the Pennsylvania Inquirer
and Courier:
WASHINGTON CITY, February, 81, 1888.
SIR: have this moment perused the
letter OF J. F. Cox, published in yester-
cav Inquirer. HE late official station. as
a member Of the convention, induces me to
notice the stale SANDER which he again re.
peats, and which ! now pronounce to be
utterly and absolutely false, no matter from
hat source it may have proceeded, or shall
proceed. never did, upon any occasion,
public or private, whether at the COURT
house in Lancaster, or elsewhere, declare
that "if knew hid drop OF democrat
ic blood IN my veins l would let it out, - or
any other words to that effect. This ridic-
ulous story is without foundation.
The first version Of the story was, that
had used the expression in an Grafton
which / had delivered at the courthouse
in Lancaster, on the 4th Of July, 49,
The Grafton itself disproved this assertion,
and then. after Mr.. Cox had made 1t d sub-
iect of debate before the reform conven-
lion. in May last, one Of the papers at
Harrisburg solemnly announced that the
expression had been used by me on the
floor Of the House Of Representatives, in
this city, in reply to Governor Floyd, OF
Virginia, and that j: could be proved by
a gentleman who had formerly been
democratic representative in Congress from
Pennsy lvani, The scene Is row again
shifted 10 the courthouse iu Lancaster.
and certain Anthony McGlinn is the wit
ness. He states that "a number OF years
ago, one evening"" whilst was addressing
a political meeting there assembled, he had
he ard me use the expression already stated
Tin an emphatic manner, with my righ'
hand elevated above my head" He does
not state the year when the expression was
used, nor the name Of any other person
who was present at this public meeting.
1t does not seem to have occurred to Mr.
Cox that if had uttered such sentiment
as that attributed to me in the courthouse
at Lancaster, it would have been heard by
hundreds Of people; that i. would imne-
distely have become the subject OF univer
sal remark and universal commentator
and tina, 1t would have been severely ano
Justly commented upon in the newspaper
Of the day. Had it been true there wou:t
have been no occasion for him to resort +
Anthony McGlinn to prove the charge, mol
to conversation alleged by Mr.. Ford t
have been held with Mr.. Peter Shindel
who although respectable, is an aget
man; and from defect of memory, Incl
dent TO that period OF lite, must have con
founded what may have been stated 10 hin
by others with what he bad heard himself
But. Iagain repeat, no matter who has beef
or shall be the witness, the tale is atterl.
and absolutely false.
Shortly after the SANDER was made sub
J ject OF debate by Mr.. Cox in the teforme'
convention. a number OF the Oldest AM
most respectable citizens of Lancaster
without distinction Of parry, signed GER
ufcate disappearing the charge, SO far al
far as it was possible for negative to b.
proved. which was placed in the hands o
one of my friends. After what had beer
! said in the reply to Mr.. Cox by Mr.. Poi,
ter aud Mr.. Reigart, who must either hav'
heard the expression, had 1t been used, o
heard !. il Immediately after, deemed
wholly Unnecessary then to publish this Ger
tifcate. Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN"