Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-21
Communication.

~ "a
Comm unics ton.
EpIroRs LEDGER: In the Avalanche 8
article Of day before yesterday, in the
vindication and support OF its two
prospective candidates for seats in the
anticipated Constitutional Convention OF
Tennessee, the writer wakes exceedingly
warm in THAR defense. The communi-
cation of Teoktilla.s in previous issue
of the LEDGER, ventilating somewhat the
sntecedents Of the Hon. VIM. I. Avery
and Captain G. B. Church, is DENOUNCED
in ths most approved Apalanchfan
style" coarse. stpltiiied and rancid"
II has not attempted, in the most distant
manner, to exculpate its pets from the
imputations of " Teoktilla," but contents
itself with deuunciation, ignoring facts,
with which every one at oil acquainted
With the political history of Shelby com
ty 10 familiar. is the Avalanche igno-
rant Of the political sutepedsnts of Mr.
Avsry2 Ifso, 1t ought not to attempt hia
! viudication. II It does know bis political
history, then it knows the imputations
of"Teoktillsp to betrus. The arrogant
dictation of the Avalanche for many
months past has been remorseless ana
cruel, but the present attempt of that
paper to change history as easily as
political principals, ia certainly mon
strous stretch of It's power. Mr.. Avery's
political status is fixed fact the record
ia made, and cannot be obliterated, white
washed, nor suppressed. naai
The Apalanche charges the communl-
cation of "Tsoktilla"as "slanderous." Let
Us examine for moment the validity OF
the charge. "Teoktila" says that Mr..
Avery was elected to the Legislature
mainly through the aid and influence Of
Colonel Topp; that Col, Topp furnished
him with horse Git was mulel to can
yass thu county upon; supplied him
with money to pay bis expenses, and
wrote for him his speeches. And is
this not truef is this ISLANDER
ous9" II Mr.. Avery will make an
affidavit to its falsity. l will withdraw
every word Of it. Being elected in the
manner stated, is it not palpable to the
common ssnse Of every one that Mr..
Avery must have been HndeF the greatest
obligations to Col. Topp for his position
as a member to the Legislature, and could
not have done otherwise than pledge him
self to the support Of the Colonel fol
United States Senator, for which Colonel
Topp was an aspirant2 1t is impossible
to believe otherwise, the Avalanche to the
contrary Notwithstanding. Bat Mr.
Avery, on bis arrival in Nashville, did
abandon the fortunes Of bis friend Topp
as stated by "Teoktills" And to speal
Of these facts is, in the estimation of thu
Apdlonche, " slsnderous" 1t is very
careful, however, not to sdduce any proc
to that effect ! will here state. for thu
benefit Of the Aralanche. that Col. TopI
was no party" to the writing or publ
cation Of the communication in question
BE knew nothing whatever Of il. So ih'
Araldnchs may let Col Topp restin psac'
at home. In Teoktilla's account of th,
great speech Of the Hon. VIM. 7. Aver,
in Congress on Our Foreign Relation
with Cuba" every one who knows any
thing about that speech, and it's deliver,
10 the House Of Representatives il
Washington, knows that that account o
it, with the circumstances attending. ar
substantially true and correct But, say
the Avalanche, "Teoktills laughed
when be told tina, story, and because b
did so it is denounced and stigmstzsd q
ribAldry." Let ANY gentleman res
that speech now, after so long a tim,
snd the occasion for It past away, and
be does not laugh at its cruditiss, NOT
sense and grammar, shall be much mi
( taken. Even upon the bronzed an
! vsr.worn visage Of the editor Of ih
Avalanche himself may be traced lurl
, ing smile at the folly of men and th
. vanity Of oil human things. Captain
, B. Church, too, has been very muc
"slsndered," according to the 1raiGBeh
bat the proof, as in Mr.. Avery
case, is not forthcoming. All III
{ "Teoktilla has said Of Captain ChurC
: is true, and much more might, and poss
; bly, will. he shown 10 the public her,
e after The ApalaRehs he's afforded me
!, most excellent opportunity on the pre-
. ent occasion, bat forbesr- Il does n
, come within the view Of my present pu
: pose Well might these gentlemen e