The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-15
LETTER FROM MR. RANKIN ON ENLIST.
MENTS IN CANADA.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE LEADER,

o,
No could DO moro willing than am to concede 10
the journalist tho right TO comment upon the current
events Of the day. the conduct Of public men
far as that conduct has any bearing upon public nte
rests but there limits within which even the
bers Of the privileged fourth estate ought contne
themselves. That you have overstepped those limits
shall endeavor to show.
On the arrival OF the Leader Of the Sd inst at Windsor
my attention was directed to its leading article headed
'svioation Of the Neutrality Laws" In that article you
indulge in strain far more likely to nure yourself in
the estimation Of any whose good opinion is worth
caring for than to damage me, even Il your statements
were all true instead Of being as most Of them are,
false as they malicious.
In the first place, sir, permit to ask, what do you
know about my private circumstances or what right
have you make my private affairs the subject Of public
COMMENT You may have heard statements about me,
which il you had been fully and correctly informed you
would have discovered to be wholly inaccurate.
Again, you say, speaking Of my connection with the
federal government Of the United States "a large sum
was placed to my credit and that received instructions
TO draw to indefinite amount in furherance of the
scheme and to give additional force these alsehoods
you add, Thesc are facts, which admit believe Of
being clearly established and to those who are familiar
with the and circumstances Of Mr. Rankin we need
not point out the motives Of his real" &c. &c. &c Now
sir, upon what ground have you permitted yourself to
make these assertionsp They not only false but
ridculous and pray, what do you know of my moivesp
and from whom did you get your information 1t will be
evedent any upon moment reflection that
representations founded at best upon suspicion
Pray what your motives? Are you quite dsnercstcd
in your advocacy of slavery and the interests your
friend and patron jeff Davisp Has your phlanthropc and
truly British mind become enanored OF the "pecuar
institution, for the suppression Of which Great Britain
has expended untold millions that you prepared
the aonement for the Of such WILDER
force and his colleagues in the Of humanty-to turn
knight Grant in the Of ''Southern chivalryY'
Sir, shall not take upon myself to say what your
tves and certainly your very slight knowledge Of
me- and your utter gnoranceo Of my character
warrant you in presuming to make the comments you
have INDUCED in.
Suffice for TO observe that should live to take an
active part in the struggle going between the
tending parties in the adjoining republic my motives
will be deyelOped the time Meanwhile shall
not trouble myself by reply any other way concern
myself about any future work Of fiction with which your
inventive genius may prompt you hereafter 70 endeavor
to deceive or amuse the public II Is now pretty well
understood by of the world that the advocacy the
class Of public writer's TO which you belong purchase
BILE commodity, which can generally be securSd for a
very moderate consideration BY and bye trust those
capitalists who invest their means in printing establish
mens will discover the impocy Of employing persons Of
your stamp, and then may look for some improve
ment in the tone of the Canadian press.
When English subjects took part on either side in the
civil in Portugal 1t considered offence and
when at later PERIOD the British Legion under Sir De
Lacy Evans took part in war of the character in
Spain, their conduct not only regarded without dsa-
vor but absolutely appauded and even to this day not
TO mention the thousands Of English subjects who ocked
to the standard Of Garbadi, there numbers Of
Engshmen in the Austrian the Prussan and the
Turkish service? Why, then should it be treated as
crime for Canadians enter the American seryice Is the
objection founded in upon prejudice? Is not the
Of the United States the of civilization and
FREQ governments Has any struggle so largely affecting
the welfare of mankind in general taken place in any
any former age2 And as to the Queens proclamation
maintain that it distinctly recognizes the right Of every
subject to dispose OF himself in any manner he may
think proper. 1t simply ntimates II to be the po-
Icy OF her Majcsty's government Gas q government)
TO preserve strict neutrality and warns oil subjects that
If in the exercise Of their unquestioned rights Free
they think proper to take part either side thew
must do on their individual responsibility but il does
not even hint that any mputaton will be cast upon their
characters, either as subjects members of society
YOU sir however, not content with slanderng me- must
carry vulgar vndictveness far endeavor to
cast slur upon the character Of those gentlemen from
Toronto, in every way your superiors who animated by
motives above your sordd comprehension have recently
enrolled themselves in the Of freedom and enrht-
onmontthe cause of the North against the South Let
tell you, sir, notwithstanding your puny efforts tho
contrary, there will be lack Of Canadian gentlemen
not only willing but eager TO avail themselves of the op
porunity presented TO them Of achieving honora
the applause OF their counrymcn but the appreciation Of
their sovereign.
That there some "Provincialists,o as you are
pleased to call them, who will Join with you your alb
surd cry about the Queens proclamation have doubt
but no man OF common sense and common honesty can
construc that proclamation otherwise than have done
And in conclusion have only to add that have done
nothing and shall do nothing inconsistent with my duty
such as to subject me to the forfeiture of my rights
either as British subject member of the Canadian
Parliament; and when Parliament assemblies shall be at
my post, prepared t. perform my duty both TO nv son-
stuents and TO the country at large Independently and
u the best Of my ability. And now, sir, should Won
think proper To honor me with any further notice trust
you viii c1nlne your structures TO my conduct without
pfesumHg TO deal in iusinuatiuns TO my motives OF
winch ycu are in utter ignorance, but which though
they he condemned by you are, nevertheless such as
6scry generous mind would approve.
ARTHUR RANKIN.