The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-10-05
Cirett1.iStuntiuI Eeitlencc.

CircttatstantiuI Ecidencc.
\ late issue of the ,Shepher1stoam Reg
ister is graced by card from Joseph 4.
Chapline, Esq. Presuming from the
evidence of his own words, that this is
his first attempt in the art correspondent,
he cannot object to criticism upon his
motives and deductions therefrom-as it
is published for the special purpose Of
denying something attributed to him,
and contains an unqualified denial to the
effect that he never made use of the lam
guage attributedto him. It would have
been very much more satisfactory if
Mr.. c. had told us what he did say, and
not left us to judge, from antecedent
speeches, that it was even more radical
than lie stands already charged with
and, indeed, | do not know but that
the misqutation errs upon the side of
conservatism, and is Il little more so than
Mr.. C's. intense loydlty would allow him
to endorse. Hence his card in denial,
just full enough to show that he denies
something, and just obscure enough to
be non-committal, a kind of 'alf-and-
'alf" affair, but still sufficient for the
purposes of this letter. Mr.. c. stands
charged With having i'll q public speech
made nearly one year ago, given utter
ance to some very choice Billingsgate,
of which he has shown himself prof.
cient and master in speaking of those
gentlemen of Harper's Ferry who sign
ed the petition of Judge Kennedy, in
opposition to theultra radicals who were
at that time moving heaven and earth
to remove him from Office, and of which
Mr.. G. was the acknowledged leader; in
effect that all who signed that petition
were drunkards, gamblers, secessionists,
blockade-runners, bar-room loafers, etc
AS I remarked before, showing himself
master of the art of blackguardisln, and
adding another example to illustrate the
truth Of the old adage s5i,'ds Of q feather
etc." Now as to the application of this
card, and coming as it does, its peculiar
coincidence: In Convention held at
Harper's Ferry on the 23rd ult., Mr.. c.
was present and was taxed with the
above expressions, by one ofMis "drunk-
en-, gambling, loafng fraternity" James
T. Reed, Esq. And here let me add for
the information OF those unacquainted
with Mr.. Reed, ii at he is one of the most
honest, sober and estinable citizens, a
merchant Of integrity and character, and
a fair representative Of those who signed
the Judges petition, they being COM
posed principally OF the most highly re-
spectacle class of our business commune
ty, Mr.. C.'s opinion TO the contrary, not.
withstanding.) When taxed by Mr..
Reed With this, and charged with hay
inc said it, Mr.. c. replied he was mis-
quoted by the paper that published his
speech. said Mr.. Reed, why did Won
not make the editor correct it, and not
; lie under such false and damaging i'm
putations; justice to yourself as wen a.
to the citizens of Harper's Ferry de-
manded IT. Mr.. {. replied, with the nj
, most sang froid, | never write articles
< Tor the papers. Giving this as a conclu-
slVe argument, and as one amply suffi-
clent olustify him in remaining silent.
Here then is the gist of the matter-tak
ing this assertion of Mr.. Cs. AS the NV
: pothcsis upon which to predicate our ar
!, sul'leht' let us see to what purpose Mr..
Z. has broke through his lifelong retic-
ehce' and thus quickly rushed into print.