The Van Buren press., 1859-12-16
A Gard.

Mr.. DUNHAM Permit me to offer thro'
the medium of your paper a few words to
the public in relation to a matter appertain-
ing to my reputation and interest. 1t has
been asserted of me, recently, that | am
an abolitionist, that | take an abolition
newspaper, and, moreover, that | have en-
deavo ored to inculcate seditious sentiments
by circulating it among the people. So grave
a charge should not go unnotlced, and L
therefore beg leave to be heard in the prem
ises.
Augustus S. French, Esq, of the city of
Bangor, Maine, Clerk Of the Penobscot
County Judicial Court, is a brother-inla law
of mine, and an old line Wing. send to him
weekly, or cause 1t to be sent, the =" Van
Buren, Press" In return for which he
mails to me, unsolicited, the Bangor
Weekly Courier" and, occasionally, one
Of his city dailies, both of which papers
are of Republican proclivities. have two
or more tinasloanad those papers to a man
residing here, who was formerly resident
of Bangor, and who wished to see them on
account of their local news. l have never,
IN a single instance, with this exception
let one of them go out of my possession
Indeed, l have not thought of doing so. 1t
is probable that my relative will, when he
learns the peril l am in, discontinue his
favors, but shall, notwithstanding, contin-
ue to send him the Van Barren Press.
l have always been, since attaining my
majority, at all times, in all places, and un-
der all circumstances a Pro- slavery man
openly, unconditionally, without equivo-
cation or mental reservation and few men
at the north have suffered more for their ad
vocacy of southern sentiments of this fact
there is high abolition evidence yet extant.
In seeking State, therefore, to spend the
renal ming portion of my days where public
sentiment on the slavery question is conso-
nant with my own, and there to be suspect
ed of entertaining seditious motives, is, to
say the least to me unfortunate
My opinions have not, by virtue of my
residence in Van Buren, undergone any
change, only in the fact that | have learned
to believe the negro less capable of self gov
ernment, less worthy of his freedom, and a
poorer servant than had formerly suppos
ell him to be. l have, therefore, no scru-
pies as to the justice of keeping him in ser
vitude, and as to counselling to insurrection
or IN any wise encouraging insubordination
no man Is more innocent than | am. My
olfactories are SO highly organized that |
choose to have as little to do with the niy-
ger as possible, except that feel bound to
use all proper efforts, and to second every
movement calculated to keep him in his
proper and legitimate place.
regret. Mr.. Editor, that ] am compelled
to appear before the public in this manner,
and should not, were not my character as a
good and loyal citizen in jeopardy The
Suc olox, -, \
tlces IN this regard, arise from a source lit
Die entitled to my respect or notice yet,
however insignificant and contemplate the
source may be, it would not, probab BY, pre-
vent Others whom l do respect, and who
know nothing of my antecedents from
doubling me.
" tie that steals my purse steals trash,
but he that robs me of my good name takes
that which cannot enrich him but makes
me poor indeed" Respectfully
LUTHER G.. WHITE.