Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-11-08
&!sllaullt1 Chronicle.
ST, CLArRSvILLE, o.:
Thursday, Nov. 8, 1850.
ssLANDERERs REKUKED.
The eCalumnies ON the President
nua Secretary seward.

esLANDERERs REKuKED.
Ths sCalumntes ON the President
nna Secretary seward.
UsfoNvILLE. Chester Go. Pa, Oct. 8, &c.
Hon Wm. II. Se,odrd, Secretary Of State,
Warrington. ID. G. .4.
DEAR SR: ! am aware that you
have little time to read, much less to
answer, letters relating to matters not
connected with your official duties, and
would not obtrude this upon you but
from sense of duty to one who has
been my political light and gnide for
near forty years. But will be as
brief ae possible. On Tuesday even
ing, Sept 25, 1866, meeting of Re-
publicans was held in this place, which
was addressed by the Hon John Hick-
man, who, after few Introductory re-
marks, said:
"This nation is ruled by two drunkards
ands lewd woman. Andy johnson and VIM.
II. Seward are both drunkards, and they
are completely under the control of vile
and vicious female, who, has access to the
White House by night and by day, when
good Uaion men are denied admittance. -
She wielde the appointing and pardoniug
pewer as she plesses. johnson and Seward
are always drunk, and she is always bawd.
The White House is den of vice..
Near the conclusion of his speech
be used the following language:
"Who originated the plot to assassinate
Lincoln mar never be known 10 certainty.
Men and q woman have been hung for it ;
but I tell you that Andy johnson il base
enough for anything Yes, | repeat it,
Asay ohnson is base enough foranythnc." !"
The above was uttered in public
hall filed to its utmost capacity with
ladies and gentlemen, and in a tone
and manner calculated to make deep
Impression. After the meeting was
over, L asked Mr.. Hickman if he had
proof for his assertions relating to the
lswd woman, &c. He replied that the
proof was abundant. Ihave conYersed
with many Of the people who were
present, and have found but very few
who doubt the truth of Hickman's
statements. They say she would not
dare to make such declarations If they
were not true" A citizen Of this place
who was at q Republican meeting il
west Chester, on Monday evening
October l, 1866, informs me that Hick
man said to very large gathering o
people there: candy Johnson instiga
ted the murder of Lincoln; that b.
knew it," or words to that effect Sucl
is the style Of electioneering now ii
vogue in these parts. ILL.,. -.. -,
As ever, your true friend,
-ml SUMNER STEBBrSs.
Mr. sEwARDs REPLY.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, |
WASHINGTON, Oct. g. 1866
SrR: thank you for the kind at
tention you have manifested in writins
to me your letter Of the Sd inst II
that friendly communication you Civ
me . report Of certain speeches mad
in yonr neighborhood with view Il
affect the private character ofthe Pres
idsnt Of the United States and also m,
own. am not appointed or author
lied to vindicate the President agains
personal calumnes. The entire expe
rience Of the United States thus fa
shows that calumny Of the Chief Mag
istrate is . chronic form of party &C
tivity, and that it has always failed o
lasting effect So far rs I, myself, an
concerned, it is only necessary TO "a,
that have no remembrance of a tim
during my public life in which les
charitable views of my public life AM
private character were taken by thos
who differed from me than those whicl
are now presented by opponents ofth
policy which 1t is my duty to maintain
My first complaint Of mkindness a
the hands Of any Of my fellow citizen
remains yet 10 be made, and think
may with safety be still longer defer
red.
am, Sir, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM II. SEWARD.
SuMNEK SrEBBINs, NJ. D., Unionvillt