The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-06-21

lComnunicAtd.l
Mr.. EDITOR: In my communication
simply completing the record Of the Presbytery
I did not propose TO agitste snsw the disgraceful
matter TO which II referred. Twas DESTROYS that
all that was said on that occasion might be
stated. Others had moro interest in II than my.
SELF else you would not End me troubling myself
much about II. l took the ground / did In ref.
erence to this whole matter for the potent reason
that II was a responsibility thrust on me by the
trusteeship. Now that the matter has again
been unearthed by other hands than mine, self.
respect demands that should cast Of the stigma
that my silence seemed to impose, and liz the
vail and let the public see tohy the charges were
withdrawn, and hOw they were unsusceptible Of
proof As TO the withdrawal Of the charges, q
few remarks l was prepared to make on the
evening after the withdrawal Of the charges will
show how stood, and how felt at that time.
Here they are psrbatim:
"MoDBRAToR: consented to the withdrawal
Of charges against the defendant on the state.
ment of my counsel, DR.. Baird, that he had dis
covered the fact that Mr.. Heron was never au.
thorized by Mr.. Page TO act for the church, but
was the paid agent Of Mr.. Page; and, further,
that Mr.. Page had been counseiled BY Mr.. Foley
so to arrange 1t that he (Page) could, in certain
contingencies, control the amount the church
was to receive-yiz, to give the church Just as
little as he could, and gain their assistance to
extricate himself from financial difficulty. In
other words his motives were mercenary rather
than benevolent. Now II they could prove that
Mr.. Page had changed his mind about the
amount Of the donation and conditions thereof
between his interview with and promise to Mr..
Campbell and the appointment Of Mr.. Heron on
any other evidence than Mr.. Pages testimony,
and that Mr.. Heron was simply Mr.. Pages
agent, then could not see how the church could
claim the residue promised Mr.. Campbell,
although Mr.. Page confirms what Mr. Campbell
says. But, sir, cannot receive the testimony
Of Mr.. Page, even II II Is againt the defence.
lie either deliberately tells n falsehood and then
confirms il eighteen months after over his sigma
turo, or he comes In hore and deliberately per.
jures himself Sir, l would hold no man re-
sponsible on his testimony. With such evidence
as DR.. Baird promised my responsibility as trus.
tee would cease, for II was the financial and not
the spiritual that was committed to my caro-.
But, sir, with all due respect to DR.. Baird,
l do not see the evidence he furnishes establishes
that point, and, tho charges having been with.
drawn. l am now excused from further duties as
trustee, and now resign the trust, and recon.
NIT this whole question to you, rctrscting nothing
l have said or written. The venerable friend,
DR.. Tustin, has suggested the necessity that you
pass vote Of caution to me to govern me in
future cases like this. Sir, should do Just as
l have done at this time, under like ciroum.
stances, for have an approving conscience.
uu uOt IetpOubDlo tuhL bulb mhtteI uhb
been bruited abroad but, sir, 1t rests with the
defence.
"You may pass your resolutions Of caution or
censure; but II you do, let me suggest that you
proceed directly, and to the purpose-uo dodg
ing-no soft shells. 1t will affect me no more
than charge Of duck.shot would affect mon.
itor. Sir, will, for the masters sake, defer to
the judgment Of Christian mem but never to
such mon, who have had so much to say here,
incapable as consider them to DO, to render a
Just decision
That was prompted by DR.. Baird's failure to
produce the evidence promised, and that failure
left me just as confident In the integrity Of my
cause az he stated that was up TO the time ht
revealed to me the newly discovered testimony
On his promise to furnish said evidence l con
sented to withdraw the charge, and though th,
} evidence was not produced, nevertheless tn,
charges were Withdrawn; and must confess
did not care to renew them, for / was disgusted
with the manifest prejudice of the majority. l
RETAINED from offering the above remarks at the
earnest solicitations Of Mr. Campbells friends
for so bitter and unchristian was the feeling
against him that 1t would only exasperate the
few who had from the beginning determined to
prosecute him.
One word about DR.. Gurley paper He penned
II with tho UrittsH evidence before him, and he
voted for the preamble and resolution, provided
he had the privilege to offer another paper di.
vorcing the Presbytery from this unnatural al.
lance.
Dr. Baird accidentally made use of the word
''unsusceptible of proof and Immediately cor.
rooted his Language, and Presbytery refused to
allow him the correction. They tr1S unsus
coptible of proof before that court, for they had
prejudged the case So far as the ownership oil
that property is concerned, caro- not straw,
for know that God can vindicAte his cause.
But there are principles involved in this whole
matter vitality affecting the best interests Of
Christs kingdom that will not dawn" at the
bidding of an Old School Presbytery. intend
in q forthcoming work to discuss and review this
matter, and will now close, only remarking In
reply to tho parade made Of the Presbytery'i
resolution, that I regard 1t Of as much import
ancc and no more, than would the fulmina
tons of those had ceased to respect. do not
in SO speaking, intend any disrespect to religion
or those who profess 1t, for he who humbl.
walks with God. is, to my mind, the highes
style of man. But do recognize a differenc
between q Peter denying his master and 4 Pete
, feeding his lambs. T. 7. FOWLER.