Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1856-08-20
From fAs Ia,fiaaspelis Josrns'.
Tc the Public.


pearance Of card In the State Sentinel OF
Monday last. over the signature Of my
competitor. the Hon. A =. Willard =
The purpose Of this card. so far as !; can
be collected from it's contents, seems 10 be
10 make the impression that have de.
clined 10 meet him IN discussion. and ren-
ders il proper for me 10 make statement
OF the facts as understand them 10 ex-
ist. IL Is true, as stated ia the card. that
on the eyening OF the frs, Of May-,he
day | received the nomina,ion-Mr. vii
lard, bringing with him witness, pre-
scnieI ms with written invitation TO q
conference 10 make arrangements for can
vassng the State with him. II must have
been obvious TO him that could make no
arrangement az that time. lie had been
nominated nearly four months before. and
had already canvsssed large portion Of
the State. and in reply TO him that even
ing stated that my private affairs would
require large portion Of the TIME for the
coming two months. and that could not
begin the canvass regularly until about the
first Of July; that he had been in the field
several months. and that whatever time
could devote 10 the canvass between
that aud the first OF July should visit
important points and places where he had
spoken. but that when / entered upon
the canvass regularly L should cheerfuly
make the arrangement suggested in his
Communication. Some time in the latter
part of May l met him at indianapolis
and made with him joint appointment
a; Newcastle for the lxrh Of June. AT
which place and time We met, and Just
before going into the discussion had an
interview, in which the subject of the
joint canvass was discussed. | here quote
the statement in his carl in reference 10
that interview.
Accordingly. on the l2th Of June, |
requested him to make appointments for
the month of July. This he declined do
ing. but assured me that. during August,
We should 20 together"
The construction put by Mr.. Willard
on our conversation is wholly inadmissi-
bic. stated TO him that had several
appointments out. and had accepted sew
eral invitations 10 address conventions and
mass meetings. and before making other
appointments must review my engage
ments in order TO avoid a conflict. l un.
derstood him 10 say distinctly. that he
was ia like si,usiion; and the crowd be-
ing already assembled. -lthout further
Iconference We repHlr. - The Court House
and entered upon he t..cussion. This
was on The afternoon OF thursday. and
shortly after The discussion terminated,
Mr.. Willard without any further interview
left the town, and On that night or the
next morning. SIS was afterwards inform.
ed. returned to Indianapolis. On the
following Saturday morning. II being the
day but one after the discussion. an cdi-
lorisl article appeared in The Ssase .Stast-
mel purporting TO give an account Of our
meeting at Newcastle. and declaring a.
raOag other things, that l was 20 match
for Mr.. Willard add had refssed TO can
vass the Stale w.th hi.u. Under the CIR
cumstances II Was hardly possible to
doubt the qurter from which this article
emanated. Oamy return home near the
end OF June, from series &C appoint |
ments IN the south western part OF the |
State. which weye made before the meet |
iug at Newcastle. found number OF !
letters informing me that Mr. Willard had
declared at Gosport and other places,
that had refused to canvass the State |
with him. 1t clearly appears from his
own card that these statements were an-
authorized. Continuing to receive sdvi-
-. r IL. .a..f,..,. II - @.,I.x,t,o, -,
the sd of July in Pursuance of ny origi-
nal plan. and TO place this matter in po-
siiion IN reference TO which there would
be no room for error. | addressed to Mr..
Willard bv the hands OF j. ID. Defrecs,
ESQ. Chairman of the State Central Com
mittee, a note OF which the following is
copy;
1xDrASAroLIs. July Cd. 1856.
Hon. 4. p. WNard,
DEAR SIR: Should it meet with your
appreciation. shall be pleased TO make
some appointments with you for the mu
tual discussion Of the questions st issue
in this canvass. am willing to conduct
the discussion upon the terms proposed
bv lhe Joint committee Of our respective
friends at Newcastle. or if they do not
suit you. upon terms 20 be sgreed Upon
by similar committee selected IN tins
city The opening and closing to be en-
loyed alternately.
Should this proposition meet with your
approval. the bearer Of this. Mr.. Deftees,
s,ll arrange with you the times and pls.
ces Of meeting.
j A speedy answer is requested. which
may be- handed TO Mr.. Defrees. or direct
ed - me at Centreville.
iours Respectfully.
o. T. MoRros.
Mr. Willard dill not. as desired. sen
the written answer. but verbally informed
! Mr.. Defrecs that he had appointment
, out until the 9th Of August. and that he
would not make join, appointments b . :
that time. pointing out TO Mr.. Deire :
E however. several Of his appointment
that nigh, attend. but which | coul'
not without sacrifice Of time aud de
1 rangement OF my canvass. Further ap
4 po,utments were then made for me. ter
ninallng on the 7h ef dsgusi. at Bloom
lngton. IN order that night have no en-
!. kagement after tha. time to interfere VII
a any arrangement that might be conclude
- 9Th Mr.. Willard. On the 10th on Jul
Mr.. Willard. Defrees. and myseli met
/ A l.. - ~v.l