Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-10-18
REPLY TO q. H. SWIFT.

and Richmond Palladium, signed II. H..
Swift. and addressed to the Editor Of the
Richmond True RepnJiieon, replying to an
article which sometime ago appeared in the
latter paper and which had been copied
into the Democrat II seems that the
Editor Of the True Repwblieau had ascer.
tanned and published the fact that Mr..
Swift was the writer Of the article which
had sppeared-throush mistake on our
part-as an editorial In the columns Of the
Indiana American, headed "Watchman,
what of the night?" which article was in-
tended to commit the American against
Hon. Geo. w. Julian as the Republican
candidate for the next Congress in the new
4th District. before Mr.. Julian had even
made his appearance among our people.
The readers Of the american will remem
Der that in the very next issue after the
appearance Of that article we explained
how it happened to be published as edito-
rial, and ut the same lime disavowing its au
thorship and stating that it should have
appeared as a communication.
Mr.. Swift intimates that the True Pc
publican charges him with having "surrep-
titiously" obtained its insertion in the
editorial columns Of the american. This
charge Mr.. Swift denies, and in giving
his explanation how the article happened
to appear MS editorial. states emphsticaly
that We read the article in manuscript,
in his Office. in his presence, "smilingly
approved it, adopted it as our own, used
il as our leader, at our own option and
without bis solicitation, and then goes on
to say that in publishing our "Explana.
tory" the next week We FASTENED to Ego
back" on our very recent record, calling in
question our consistency and honor, and
insinuating that We were "bought up"
that q ''consideration' was brought to
bear upon us.
Let us state the facts. lie had previous
ly suggested to us that inasmuch as others
had written some of his editorials while he
was Editor Of the American, VIC might al
low him 10 write some editorials for us
The suggestion appeared plausible to us,
and we adopted it, requesting him to write
occasionally. not suspecting he intended to
impose upon u.s. lie sent in few local
items, which were inserted among the 9TH
er locals. Presuming upon our Kindness
and courtesy, and thinking that we sup.
posed him to be our friend, he invited us
into his Office at time when he ought TO
have known that We were very busy in
getting the paper to press, (being our own
foreman and pressman) at time. too,
when no ought 10 have known that the
paper for that week was about full, and
that the insertion Of bis article would be
an annoyance and interruption. We ac-
cepted the invitation and went into his
Office; he handed Us piece Of manuscript;
the handwriting was ia miliar; we hurricdly
glanced il over; tried TO smile and appear
in good humor; probably pronounced il
call right" as we wished to accommodatf
him; took the article and quickly placed it
in type. Don't know whether the proof
was read or not. Not knowing the full
purpOrt or intent Of the article, it appear
ed as editorial. efi
Upon careful consideration however,
while working Of the edition, we conclu-
ded we "smslt rat" The leader was n
nest carefully and shewdly written article,
heavy on Julian, aud was intended proba-
bly, as the first off, series against him. A
plan had been secretly concocted; Julian
must be gotten out of the way; he was ga
bore Of contention;" he intended to speak
in this County very soon; the American
must be committed against him before he
comes; he must meet with cold recep-
ton.
Never having heard Mr.. Julian's views,
and having only very brief acquaintance
which little knowledge Of him wo must
say had impressed us quite favorably to-
wards him--we concluded il would be
treating him unfairly. not to say doing
him great injustice, to endeavor to pre-
judice the misds of the people against
him before they had an opportunity Of sec'
ing and hearing him. 1t was too late,
however, to correct the mistake that week,
aud so we determined to explain the mat
ter in the next weeks paper. Our "Ex-
planatory' appeared in the next issue
aud in 1t We invited Mr.. Julian to make
our people visit, which he afterwards
did. Our readers appeared perfectly sat
ished with our course, and thus Mr.. Swift
failed to rule the editorial columns oil the
Indiana Americaa. 81
We owe our readers an apology For in.
truding 20 much personal matter upon
them in This article. but we feel Il due 10
oursslf to correct tho misreprssenta 'ions
which Mr.. swim has thought. proper 10
publish concsrning us In the columns OF
the DemocFrs and Palladium. We have