The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-31
Letter from Hon. James M. scovel.

10 Me EUttO7' OF HtC LOtNtHg LettJFuppE-
CAMDEN, N. j., March 81, 1s66.-My attention
has tns morning been called to your extract In
yesterdays paper, from the State Gazette. 1t
contains many ISLANDERS on what the Press is
pleased to term my "erratc character" But
have no time for personal attack or defense.
was thirty-two years OF age on the 10th of Janu-
ary last. ...
/ have never yet been driven into course
which had not the sanction OF my reason or my
conscience, or both. | cannot be driven. Now
what are the facts at the. bottom of the contro-
versy into which have Been SO unceremoniously
thrust.
A plurality rule was offered by Republican
in the Joint meeting of the New Jersey Legisla-
ture which elected John Stockton Senator.
/ opposed it bitterly. 1t passed by Republican
votes in joint meeting against my protest. At
the next ballot John Stockton received plu-
rality of the votes, and was declared elected
by the President of the Joint meeting. l went
out of that meeting and made up my mind
then and there that after the adoption OF this
plurality rule, as q man of honor | could
not take part in an effort TO Gust him when Re-
publican votes alone made his election a possi-
bility. l opposed that election like an honest
man. But when that election was had, as an
honest man and lawyer, believing him by law
entitled to his seat, have persistently refused
to enter into the adventure to drive him out of
the Senate.
In nv view of the law of the case, am sus-
tanned by Trumbull, Poland, and six out of seven
OF the Judiciary Committee OF the United States
Senate. Enough on that point.
Now about the Joint meeting; and | will not
pause or descend to notice the sinister alloslons
ofthe Gazette.
man with an empty pocket can defy the
world, the flesh, and the devil
requested that the caucus should name the
man before i agreed to 60 into Joint meeting.
Ny motives have been doubted.
Men always abuse an adversary when they
cannot answer his arguments. The Legislative
journal of Friday correctly reports me as fol-
lows:-
'Nfr. Scovel opposed the resolution. He had
Just returned from Washington after consulting
the foremost Republicans in the country. He
understood the situation. He agreed with MIR,
Trumbull, Chairman OF The Judiciary Committee
OF the United States Senate six of which Com
mittee, out of seven, reported in favor of Mr..
Stockton's right to a seat Mr.. Stockton Is my
political foe, but will be lust to him, and true
to my sense of what makes Republican gentle
man.
/ can truthfully say:-"What am l to Hecuba,
or Hecuba to me, that l should weep for her ?"
But | will do what believe 10 be right while
would gladly bend to the request OF the Union
League just handed me. am for sending true
man to Washington at once. Hon. John Van
dyke, Judge Richard S. Field, Dudley St. Gre
CORY, or any distinguished soldier who has
served the country, can have my heartfelt sup
port. Though threatened at my room within an
hour by a member of powerful political ring,
now glory in taking this responsibility and
gladly again take my appeal from the politicians
to the people whose servant am and Who by
the grace Of God, will never betray."
| did consult with the best and greatest men
on the side of the Union in Washington, and
meant what said and said what meant wnen
remarked, 81 am for sending q true man 10
Washington at once"
One oi the greatest men of the nation in Con-
gress said to me, "Scovel, better that the cleo
ton OF Senator go than to send q timid
halt-hearted Republican,
l think, Mr.. Editor, am old enough to dis
tingush between the worship Of man and devo-
ton to principle,
The difference between the mere man and the
principle is sometimes the difference between
hell and heaven.
am right within the doors of my own con-
science, and who dares to say that will not go
into Joint meeting for Field, Vandyke, or
Gregory? Has any opportunity been offered me |?
l say that / Will, if the Republican caucus
unite on any of those men already named, or on
Hon. A. K. Hay of Camden, or Judge George s.
Woodruff of the Supreme Court. l will go into
joint meeting at 10 A. NJ. (or any other hour)
on Tuesday next. / want to send true man
and statesman to Washington, and / am ready
to make my words good by instant action. Now
let my enemies answer that,
These Christian gentlemen, these unselfsh
patriots ~ who make up this political combina-
ton which has hunted me like partridge in
the mountains, and charges me with daily vic.
latlng all the ten commandments, can never
dictate TO me, Let candid world iudGe be-
tween me and them. The tyranny which drove
me from one party is as odious to me in another
when it deHands that | submit to insUlence and
injustice combined.
IL God created me with brain which is not
Blind to injustice, and heart waich sides with
man when he is oppressed, do not choose to
apologize for that.
Yours, JAMES M. SCoVEL.
P. ST. did not vote for myself on the organi-
cation of the Senate, and am not responsible for
any reporters statements in the New York
HRuid. j. NJ. S.