The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-22
MEAGHER as A puELLIsr
The Secretary of Montana Challenges am
Editor,

hN SNCAStAEy Oh NOnGhnn ChuItHmRRS am
Editor.
VIRGINIA CITY, NJ. T., October 19.-To Captain.
Henry A. Blake-Sir:-As am given to undcr.
stand within the last hale hour, there have been
some tasihcatlons circulated in regard to the
interview which my friend, DR.. Daems had with
you the other day relative TO the scandalous
article you wrote and published against me
personally, in the Montana Post of the sixth
OF the month and in order that such falsi-
fcations may be at once ard completely
retuted, my t1ieDd, Mr.. James K., Duke, In the
temporary absence OF DR.. Daems, now calls upon
you TO publish in the next Der of that paper
an ample apology, such as he will approve OF;
or, declining TO do that, to make Immediate
arrangements with him for affordilg me that
satisfaction which from your recent association
with gentlemen in military life, it Is, 1 presume
entirely unnecessary for me TO particularize
have the honor to be, sir, your most obedent
servant THOMAS FRANCIS NEAGHEB.
VIRGINIA CITY, n. T., October 19.-To General
Thomas Francis Meagher - Dear Sir:- -FOUR
strange letter of the same date herewith has
been duly received. You assume that ''wrote
and published" the article to which Won refer
lnter from your language that you consider
that nave been guilty of circulating the
alleged falslhcations in regard to my interview
with DIR. Daems. | desire TO inform YOU that
cannot comply with any of the requests or
demands which you have made. As the
editor of the Montana Post, 1t Is nv right
and duty to criticize the official conduct of
public men. / always act in pursuance of the
most upright motives, and If you are negligent
in the performance of your tasks as the Score
tary of the Territory, you cannot escape censupe
may be misinformed by the citizens concern
ing Yourself, but am not only ready but anx-
ious to rectify any mistake that IS published in
the columns which | supervise. If you will
write any communication, in which my errors
are pointed out, 1t will be published with plea
sue. Ii you decline to adopt this method the
law and courts will afford you complete redress
understand without any explanations your
designs. | notify you formally, as did to- Dr.
Daens privately, that | regard a duellist as a
murderer; that the miscalled code of honor is a
relic OF barbarism and ignorance; that il is coh-
trary to the spirit of our republican institutions.
and tnat could not stultity myself by attempt-
ing to take the life OF a man against whom |
have no personal enmity.
You have seen tU to send me challenge
| although you knew nat could not and would
| not accept 1t. | am astonshed that one who
| fills a post of national importance, and whose
| chief task is the execution of the statutes
should try to incite me to commit the capital
otiense OF murder. l shrink with awe at the
! dreadful possibility that should ever be com.
| pclled to shed the blood of any individual
You allude to my military life.n Duriae m v
| term of service in the 1lth Regiment, Massachli-
| setts Volunteers, never witnessed or heard of
| any duel in our glorious army / will NOT die
grace my record. You may publish me as a
coward, but my scars, of which this incIement
storm reminds me, will proclaim that the cbaroe
is false. Two warrants and three commissions
which were received by me during the late.
Rebellion, for my services in tWenty-one battles
and ssirmishes, will completely refute the STATE
ment.
In conclusion. l will assert that your letter
and conduct do not ntiEidate me in auy
degree. while l occupy my post as editor.
your official acts will be examined, and [ shall
have no hesitation in expressing nv vie
regarding them. am very respectfully,
HENRY N. BLAKE,