American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-01-27

! MEssRs. EDs.-An article appeared in
the last issue of the Butler Herald. under
the head of Defrauding the Govern
ment," charging that two young, loyal
and patriotic attorneys" had been detected
in an attempt to defraud the Government
The Editor Of the Hcrald claims to be the
author of all the Herald's editorials. No
person has yet assumed the honor of gri-
ting even the few decent articles that have
appeared in that paper, and | presume
there is no one anxious to Calm the raterni-
/ tyof thearticlein question. The undivided
honor of coming that base and infamous
libel, belongs to Clark Wilson, the Editor
Of the Hcr0d and he alone will be held
responsible for it. The man who in his
short career as leader of the Butler Coun-
/ ty Democracy, has gained the unenyiable
Hotariety Of common viliGor, is alone
worthy of such an honor. Those of his
/ party wholay claims to respectability have,
/ | am glad TO know, taken occasion to ex-
press their honest indignation. and have
rcpudiated the publication Of the libel.
in manly and generous terms. To those
whose friendship has stood firm through
this severe ordeal, whose love Of truth and
hate Of scandal is superior to the prejG-
dice of political partiaanship, l can only
pledge my heartfelt and everlasting graf
itudc Before | had felt the poisonous
breath of scandal, in the hey day of my
political pride and aspirations, in the
height of angry political controversy,
have been proud to call them my friends,
and ever ready to make good my friend
ship by deed. Politically | have suffered
for so doing but have always thought
that friendship is too sacred to be cstima-
ted by mere personal interest or political
| prejudice; its limits are the very gates
of Heaven. The few pitiful instances
whore it has been unworthily bestowed,
and repaid by ingratitudc, only serve to
make its chain stronger and more to be
appreciated where it is unsullicd and un-
tarnished by foul treachery. My earnest
praycr-''from all such fair-wcather friends
good Lord deliver US" has been answered
40 summer friendship
Whose fattering leaves, that shadowed US in
Our prosperity, with the least gust drop of
In the autumn Of our adversely"
OF the article in the last weeks Herald,
| have only to say that it is false and
groundless as the heart of the author is
black, and he knew it, 1t is impossible
for him to appreciate either character or
honor-for he has never been known to
look either in the face, and his friendship
if he ever pretended to such feeling, is
limited to his political party and to him
self; to offend either is to provoke the on
ly passion of which he is apable-malce
/ have neither defrauded the Govern
ment, nor attempted to do so. | am ready
willing, and anxious to have all my deal
ings with the Government investigated
1 When that is done it will be found that
| the "boot is on the other foot" which is
more than Mr. Wilson can ever hope to
say of the Government, to which he bare
/ ly acknowledges allegiance. / shall give
Mr.. W. a chance to investigate my con-
duct with the law to back him if he wants
to dosounder the plea of Justification AS
/ he has promised to report in full for the
benefit of his readers, he can have the
satisfaction of making my record as black
as his insatiate desire to calumniate will
prompt, and fear of punishment viii allow
/ That / intended to present an account
to Government for expenses in recruiting,
Idon't deny. Itwas suggested and urged
/ by prominent citizens of this place That
presented an account to Government, |
deny, and can prove. That | refused to
certify to a claim which an agent in Wash
ington filed out, can prove; The whole
affair occurred while l was lying wounded
at Washington. That notified the Gov.
ernment when learned that such claim
was presented, that it was not right, can
prove. If there was any attempt to de-