The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1856-08-14
From the Grsenaastlo Banner.


AR- EDIToR:-As public attention has beer
recently directed 10 supposed collusion be
tween Prof. Larrabee and the House OF whom
he purchased SlI5, 900 worth of books foI
the Indiana Township Libraries. it is impor-
tant that there should be right understand
ing OF the merits OF the case, that there be no
diversion OF attention from the true point al
issue no misrepresentation OF facts. no attempt
az specification OF the particular manner in
which the transaction was conducted. Moth.
ing of this kind is necessary TO reach a salts
factory conclusion the subject. The par
ties could not have been So thoughtless and
inconsldrrate 10 leave any tangible evidence
OF the method BY which they reached the point.
and therefore ills the height Of folly to attempt
TO ferret out the pro naodo. All progress in
that direction only leads TO perpiexity and
uncertainty, and exposes The explorer to the
danger of being led off on false scent and
commit himself to some definite expose. which
NAV only serve to weaken the moral force OF
his argument, by giving the Professor the op-
portunity and the means of tiSprovinp the
tru h Of his statement of the particular man
ner Of the deed and thereby throw an air Of
dlscredit over the whole charge.
To fix the indeIible mark Of guilt on an
accused party, as deep and undeniable as that
of Cain, il IS not necessary to prove that the
+ a
manner. Circumstances are often the most
difficult witness to diScredit, dispose Of or re-
bnt. The trucks are sometimes as conclusive,
evidence of the passage of the animal as
though he had been en- AT mid day by a
thousand spectators No one doubts thf,
former presence of the elephant when the
broad and deep imprint of his foo, Is seen on
the sand the plastic clay. Now. what are
the acknowledged facts of the case? The
suspicious circumstances. all concentrating AT
one point. converging to one burning focus,
from which false issue can divert attention.
denial carry the weight of truth, No dis
claimer create conviction of innocence
-lnteceaeH poeerty and subsequent and
sudden 1ceaHh.
These facts are notorious and undeniabIe.
1t was this that awakened suspicion. created
enquiry and attracted the public scrutiny to
the matter. At this stage of the investigation
the public may very properly pertinentIv and
pungen ly demand an explanation Of the sus-
picious tracks, these equivocal signs of upright
dealing. these significant and portentous
omens of evil. The burden of excuparion
here evidently rests on the party so suddenly.
manitestly and unaccountablv enriched
The reality of the wealth is unquestioned
its extent is indicated by the broad acres,
beautiful villa, and liquidation of debts Of
long sanding and increasing weight
All this is notorious, admitted and mani
fest. The antecedeut indigence and embar-
rassment are familiar facts, known to all con
versant with the parry.
These facts require reconciliation, and until
for and reasonably explained. no one can dlsa.
buse his mind of the impression nav the con.
vction of the existence of an obloquy Who'll
ly irreconclable with sterling integrity How
ever reluctant he may bo to acknowledge To
his own mind the possibility of such abuse of
station and official position the part of the
Professor, vet he cannot do violence to his in
telectual perceptions and moral impressions
Wealth honestly acquired, can be sa,i>fac
torily accounted for. It's acquisition can al
ways be demons rated, and lis ex Stence is no
mystery TO its possessor and involves no dit
ficulty Of explanation to others of the mode
of its accumulation. Ii this wealth, 50 eyi-
denty real and ex ensive, was honestly ac
quired, Its Legitimate possession could be easi
~ established. But tie plot deepens, and
striking indication Of conscious obliquity is
disclosed By the eagerneSs with which the
Professor selzeS on note evidently written
to correct some apprehension Of facts that
had crept into the public prints relative 70 the
matter, a complete aud satisfactory vindiea-
ton of his innocence. and perfect exculpa-
ton of himself
There must be something wrong when a
simple statement OF three facts is 80 distorted
perverted and tortured. as the contents OF that
nctc were by the Professor In his Greeucas,l,-
speech. Had the author of the note been
present he would not have been able to have
recognized his production. How the Protes-
scr fancy that noe contained a complete
exculpa,ion of himself. Is more than can
]. I
distort is obvious import and torture its Ian
guaee a. he did on that occasion il n7gste-
~ unexplained on any other grounds than an
admission Of guilt. What are the facts set
forth in the note? Simply these:
First. That the HaFpers sold to the Ssate a.
25 per cent discount. and not Il, as intima,ed
in the new paper article;
Secondly. That the money was paid by Mr..
Lord, the STATE Agent, and not by Prof Lar
rabee and
Thirdly. That by the statutes of 1853
and 50. neither the past, present nor future
Superintendent could touch dollar Of the T.
brary fund This is the utmost Of lis IN
port the full extent of It's disclosures and the
author seems TO have had no other purpose
than the correction Of these misrepresen'a
tons.
Beyond this point it is not only silent. bu
specially guarded, a the closing sentence, 'foI
the purpose OF complete exculPation Of tbs
said parties 10 the full extent OF the facts here
in stated" abundantly shows. The public ar
set right on these three points. and Prof. Lar
rab.e exhonerated from al censure in refer
ence to the said points. There IS not hi
most distant aluson IN that note TO snythin.
beside, either of charge or 1cVlpation, on TIA
par, of the writer. However impoIitic. IN
political point Of view. the pub licaJion Of tha
card may appear, for understand that it wa
the only thing tina; prevented lis authors re
nomination. it is apparent on the very face c