M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1858-11-04
Communicate,
For the Democrat

myself not BECAUSE OF my defeat at the re-
cent election, for the party which placed me
in nomination is defeated by majogities aver.
aging about the same as that against me in
this Judicial District; and, indeed, had the
result OF the election been otherwise, should
desire the same opportunity.
On Friday morning prior to the election,
(when | had no opportunity of denial thro'
the press until after the election, first heard
that report was in circulation to the effect
that had sent basket of provisions out to
a certain picnic party near Macarthur, on
the 4th Of July last, labeled not to be opened
until called for il; that then repaired to
the place where the picnic was held and, at
the proper time for eating, took my basket
of provisions and called to my family and
q few select friends to eat with me separate
from the rest OF the company. About the
same time noticed a sluib in the Macarthur
Journal insinuating the same thing. At
that time did not suppose the report had
been generally circulated, but since have
learned that pains were taken to circulate ii,
not only through VintoG, but Jackson and
Lawrence, and perhaps, other countless
do not think should now notice this mat
ter, had not some gentlemen, ostensibly lea.
ders in the Republican party OF this county,
deemed it of such importance as to detail
substantially the above story, (although not
always using exactly the same language,) in
several public meetings in this county, just
upon the eve of the election.
| may add here that in some neighbOrhoods
II is reported, that at the time when, it is
said, took the basket, made the remark
that there were "too many common people" "
there for me TO eat with; and in all cases the
impression seems carefully to have been
made that the reason of the separation was
because considered myself better than the
company generally present at that time.
The facts IN relation to the picnic affair,
so far as | had any connection Herewith, or
knowledge thereof are simply as follows:
Some OF our citizens Interested themselves
in getting up picnic at grove near Near
thur, on the 4th Of July last. With the ar.
rangements had nothing to do, and heard
nothing about prior to the time Of the
party. ] merely knew the fact that there
was to be such party and did not myself
determine certainly to attend 1t more than
J Eve minutes before started for the ground.
About oclock p. NJ. my brother who wa'
then making me a visit, and upon whose &C,
count | was principally induced to attend
the party, my wife with myself, started fol
the picnic. Arriving there, the scene was
truly gratifying The company, dispersed
here aud there, were evidently enjoying the
occasion, each selecting that mode Of diver
sion best suited 10 their inclnations. Soon
after arriving, my wife complaining of ia,
tigue, we seated ourselves upon a log, where
we were soon joined by MIR. ]. N. McLaugh-
lin and Mr.. A. Pearce. In a short time
heard quite a conversation between two la
dies standing short distance from US. In
answer to an inquiry, one of them replied
that she had been prevented from obtaining
her basket by certain lady, naming her,
who had said that the company should all
eat together. | replied that | thought it
would be better for all to eat together, espe-
ciaily as otherwise there might be some i'll
feeling, aud that was an occasion when haT-
mony should by all means be cultivated
To. which the other of the two ladies' an
swered that the day was free and this o
a free country that she had always
| observed each one, on such occasions to eat
when and where they pleased without re-
straint; and that she was not to be controll
ed by two certain young ladies', naming
them. ! again remarked that thought they
had better let the basket remain where il
was. Allow me to say here that | received
no impression from anything that was said
that this controversy arose because any one
thought they were any better or more respectl
able in any sense, than another, but, as it is
customary in many places on such occasions
Tor the company to divide into groups, in.
stead Of all eating together, supposed that
this was contr oversy as to whether the one
or the other arrangement should obtain be.
tween some three or four ladies', and, to mar.
row it down, which should have their own
way. This being my impression at the time
and as was not a manager, or invested with
any authority, then thought and still thinl
| said all that was proper for me to say, and
what did say was with the view of pre-
serving harmony. One of the two ladie:
above alluded to, calling to her assistance c
gentleman, started away for the basket as
then supposed. Just at that moment a SCI
was led up for dance short distance from
us, whittier went and remained until the
dance was concluded. At that time the lar
ger portion Of the company had prepared
their victuals and, as | recollect, were 81
closely seated around as to leave no oppor
tunity for others conveniently to be accom-
modated there. think all of those wh,
had been dancing and several other lockers
on, with myself passed TO another pac
where were eatables prepared, | presume
from the basket which had been the subjec
OF dispute--where, after partially eating ou
!, supper, we were warned BY peals of thunde
that shower was impending, and thereupol
started home. can truthiully say that
, heard no remark from any person on tina
day intimating that there was any portion G
the company there unfit to associate with
or any language to that effect, and sure | al
that no such thought was entertained by me
Thus, Mr.. Editor, have 1 truthlully state
all the facts within my knowledge, so far
had any connection with this celebrated
picnic, IN every essential particular, as ar
prepared to prove by witnesses Of each pc
iitical party, if necessary.
It is charged that sent basket out la
beled in particular manner. | sent n
basket 20 the picnic whatever, nor was an
sent from my house. If any was sent froI
, any place labeled in any way, it was posi-
lively without my knowledge, or that oil m
family as am informed.
| Ii is charged that it was agreed betwee
1f Al. .