The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-10-15
From the st. Clairsville Gazette.
Letter from. Gov. Shannon.

Sr:-On my arrival at home last even
ing, after an absence Of some eight months
Mrs SHANNON placed in my hanis ths
Weekly Union, of thel 9th inst, paper
published in the city of Pittsbnrgl, con-
tanning speech purporting TO have been
made by yourself, at a democratic mas:
convention held in that city, in which you
are represented as saying, among other
things, in speaking of tn: affairs of Ksn-
sas, that If President Pierce had been
fortunate in his first selection of a, terri
'torial Governor one who would have
faithfully carried out the principles of the
Nebraska act then there would have been
no trouble. Reeder was not honest and
'his speculations in lands led to his dis
mIssal. The President was equally un-
fortunate in the choice Of Shannon OF
'Ohio. sHe vus druakard.'. -
When read this portion Of your speecl.
| must confess was utterly astonished-
astonished at the bold and reckless inipu-
dence of the calumny eyoa uttered on an
old personal and Political lfriend-the low
demagogueism by which you were evi.
| IDENTIFY governed in what You said, and the
base ingratitude and heariless disregard
of private character You displayed. This
speech was published the same or the next
day after delivered. - and the Infamous
calumny it contains against myself has
not only went forth totthe citizens of
Pittsburgh, but to. those of Pennsylvania,
aud indeed the whole Umon.i 1t was
uttered in the presence of q large and
highly respectable audience as well as ia
the hearing of distinguished members Of
the democratic parry from distant parts
of the Union. 1t emanated from SON
of Ohio, Who all, or nearly all, present
would presume was well informed as to
my habits, and consequently the achargs
would be credited. Upta thisstime you
have acquiesced inits accuracy, it is there.
fore fair to presume you have been cor
rectly reported Had this speech been
made by one ofthese strolliug lee qnr on
Kansas affairs, it would lot have called
forth. from me the slightest aoticey am
not in the habit of noticing the various
calulnnies both on my private and public
character that tnnprincipled and unscra-
puious political opponents are in the habit
Of putting forth for; mere political pur-
poses. The public generally in due time,
will set these matters down to the right
account. Indeed situated as have been
in distant Territory, fft'el hundred
miles from the scene where these charges
have been used for political effect, and not
seeing them until they had become stale
and served their purpose. AMI being con.
stantly occupied with the duties of the
most ardaous position in the government.
it would have been Impossible. even If
had been inclined 10 do so, for me to no.
tice the numerous false charges made
against me while holding the Office OF
Governor of the Territory of Kansas.
But when me'aber Of the same party to
which l have always belonged son of
. lio-one who ha | once been hoHored
with the support OF the great democratic
party OF the State as their candidate for
.Governor--one who had represented our
government at a foreign court-and one
VII I'm / had always looked upon as per-
sonal and political friend, and towards
whom / had ON all occasion, acted az
such. When such q witness comes for.
ward and becomes the endorser of the.
calumnies of political enemies. seeking to
make capital for their party, it is due to
myself and family, as well as the public,
that / should notice the calumny thus
endorsed and sent out to the world. 1t
will not do for You to say you have heard
me char ged with being dun ard--I K klow
no man ever made the charge who knew
me. Your residence is only seventy miles
distant from mine. In twodays you could
at any time have obtained correct infor-
nation as to my habits You are person.
ally acquainted in this part o. the State
with numbers of high.minded and honor
able men ofall parties from whom you could
have ebtsiued full aud correct information. !.
If you had desired or now desire to OBJ
tain correct information as to my habits or
moral department while Governor of the
Territory OF Kansas, you could and now
can easily obtain it by writing to the Rev.
THOMAS JOHNSON, the first delegate in
Congress from the Territory. and for twen-
ty-6ve years Ia charge of the Methodist
| Shawnes Mission. with whom Aliyed for
some five months. or by writing to the
! Hon. ELY MOORE. Register of the land
Office ct Lecompton, and long leading
| member of Congress from the city of New
York, or to the Hon. DANIEL WooOsoN,
Secretary of the Territory-Dr. RoDRI-
CUE, of Pa, or indeed. to any substantial
| man either of Lecompton or the Shawnee
Mission. ] appeal to you if It was not
due TO an old friend that before making
this charge you should have taken some
little trouble to ascertain its truth But
this, it would seem, did not suit your pur-
pose. You were willing to blast and de-
stroy my chas acter, lacerate aud woand
the feelingsio of nay wife. my daughters, and
children growing paroand me, aid tram
PIE under foot, the sacred obligations oI
former friendship. for the base and infa.
nous purpose OF shifting tie whole re-
sponslbility OF the Kansas dific lllies Oh