Litchfield enquirer., 1868-11-05
BANTAM FALLS, Nov. }, 1SC

BANTAM FALLS, Nov. }, 1868.
 MR. EDITOR In an article published in youl paper, last week. signed 6 E. Crossman," we read -'' The flag belonging to this Society is in m! possession and has been, for the past two years and ready for any public occasion, but not for any political party of whatever eoior." When those that read this the signature of a man who into this place two years ago last Spring, Ca carpet bagger, as they say South) who has no in terest whatever in, authority the flag, only what he derives from it's having been kept at the Store while Messrs. Kenney Wadsworth, Bradley, Crossman and Kilbourne occupied it, and we owned it five years before Mir. c. came here, and as none of those who occupied the Store through that time, claimed control over it until this pro- clamaton of Crossman's we are disposed to an- swer by a statement of facts :
 The flag was purchased in 1861, in New York, at the cost of $25, by the late James Wallace, with money received from individuals for thatpurpose, by Mr. H. l.. Kenney. Those who paid for il, own it sstIll, and they have never trans. ferred it to any society or individual whatever neither have they given Mir. Crossman any au- thorty to control it or use it for any purpose.
 MT. Crossman says it is not to be used for any political purpose. Still, it has political history of which We arc proud. It was carried by some of us to the notorious Democratic Peace Meeting at Morris, in spite of threats to pull it down. This meeting was converted into a Union War meeting by force of circumstances, under the folds of this same flag, as many readers of the ENQUIRER know (rhis was the meeting where the notorious Schno. ble was arrested.) And we never heard our right to use it for that purpose or any other questioned nntii this time Democrats in our place, at that time, did say that" That RepuDnc"n ao~.-ln n..., er be allowed on Morris Hill,'' which was the only objection we ever heard in regard to it's use there. Mr. Crossman says it is only to be used as he die tates. We cannot admit that he owns it, nor that he constitutes Society that owns it.
 Some of the owners hearing tbat he claimed the flag advised one of their number to state the facts concerning it's ownership to him, and ask for it's delivery. This was done, but MT. c. pointedly re- fused to give it up. claiming that he had purchas- ed II. Z. henney's interest m a aud should keep d. but said, during the conyersation that he should not deliver it np without an order from MT. Ken noy. Afterwards the flag was taken away from the s:are where 1t had beqn kept, t,and secreted. MT. Kenney was informed of Crossman's claims and requested to give what information he could in re- gard to the matter He wrote, saying that he had never disposed of his interest in it 10 any person. He also gave list of subscribers, who were all Republicans. He stated also that Mir. Crossman asked him who tho flag belonged to and he told him as he sent the names to us. He also told him that {" as it had been always kept in the store, I thought it best to be left there if he was willing mans claim.
 MT. Kenney also sent an order to Mir. Crossman for his share in it, to one of the owners here. was chosen to wait upon AIr. c. with demand for the flag land streamer,) signed by the owners, with MT. kenney's order and list of sub scribers Said committee called upon him and stated their business, and presented the papers, which Ee refused to look at or to hear any thing from them concerning the flag, although he was advised to do so for his interest, that he might understand the nattQr, and act 8 consistent part in it. He said he did not wish to know more about it, and treated the committee in an nsolent man. ner. The character of tho gentlemen composing the committee was sufficient guarantee for their gentlemanly treatment of him.
 The foregoing is statement of facts which can be substantlatcd by abundant evidence; and we must say, that in continuing to hold the flag un- der such circumstances, ME. Crossman has shown an utter disregard Of the commonest principles of gentlemanly conduct and even decsncy.
 A MAJORITY OF THE SUBSCRIBERS.