The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-04-01

Colonel J. o. r. burnside.
Statements having been made by certain
persons affecting the political status Of Col.
J. o. P. Burnside, Of the Treasury Depart
meut, in connection with the matter Of ap-
pointment Of Register of the Treasury, that
gentleman, In Standardization, addressed
the following letter 10 Senator Edmunds, Of
Vermont, who has kindly consented to lie
publication, the friends Of Col. B. having
insisted that 1t should appear In print;
wAsHIsaros, d. o., March 20, 1860.
DEAR SIR; Please pardon personal state
ment which I have not the opportunity TO
make In conversation with you, and which
nv position In the Treasury Department,
under the johnson administration for time,
my recent application for appointment as
Register, and the rendering Of that position
to your friend, Hon. George A. Halsey, by
the Secretary Of the Treasury, together with
the fact that Mr.. Halsey, In conversation to.
day, made the statement that am charged
with being Coppsrhsdd, would seem TO re-
quire-
First Of alli the assumption that am or
ever hare been the least tlnctured with any
thing like Johnsotidn Democracy, 10 false,
and l can furnish documentary evidence,
unquestionable, that no man stands clearer
Of such charge.
take pleasure in doing Mr.. Halsey the
Justice to say that he did not originate this
charge, and well know where II came from,
and, fortunately for me, have the evidence
at hand to refute II with those even who
have been ignorant Of my record.
was born In Indiana and raised In ILL
nois, and was for number Of years the
editor and publisher Of the FrsspoH BULLETIN,
q Democratic newspaper In the latter State.
At the time Of the repeal Of the Missouri
compromise In 1855, having strenuously OPP
posed through the columns Of my paper the
passage of that bill, l sold out my newspaper
establishment and left the Democratic party
on account Of Its indorsal Of that measure.
| voted for Mr.. Fremont In 1856, and for Mr..
Lincoln both times, and have zcalously sup
ported the Republican party from Its organi-
zatlon In 1856 TO the present moment, as my
correspondence, over my own signature,
with various newspapers for the past dozen
years, on all political issues, copies OF many
| Of which papers | now have on hand, clearly
proves.
Ientercd the military service, from Illinois,
April II, 1861, and served till August 10,
1864, then having been so disabled by hard
service In the field, eliminating In sunstroke,
duty, and from which disability there was
but little hope Of my recovery for two Oh
three years.
Twas appointed to my present position In
the Registers Office, Treasury Department
nearly two years since, from an acquaint'
ance formed with the Register, Gen. N. l.
Jeffries, while serving on his STAFF In 1854
when he was Provost Marshal General o
Maryland and Delaware. / was placed OF
duty with him by orders from the War De
partment, after being disabled sat the front,
! / L., ,ho hoNo that ON gfliUht dutyD / rOulf
J continue In the service; but not recovering
was obliged to resign. The General was
kind friend to me during my illness, whei
he had no possible thing to gain by II, AM
he placed mo on duty In the most rcsponsi
BILE position In the office OF Register OF tn
Treasury, notwithstanding my radical RI
publican principles, which he well knew an
which have never concealed.
When l was nominated one year ago 10
Second Auditor of the Treasury distinct
} informed both Mr.. McCulloch and Presiden
johnson that was radical Republican an
could not accept the nomination with an
other understanding. At that time, by out
| sdcrs and perhaps some Senators, i wa
charged with being "Johnson copperhead,
: when at once filed with the chairman {
: the Senate Finance Committee copies Of til
!. newspapers containing my articles over IN
own name on all the political issues CROWN
uTs
= I had hoped forever. But now II seems
be revived by those whose interest 1t Is
thwart my prospects.
1t Is well known by gentlemen and mcr
bers of the &c. A. X" that ] refused fro
principle a commission In the "Swan mi
tia," Of Maryland, and that also refused
go as q delegate to the conservative sc
diers' and Sailors Convention" at Cley
land, In 1906, and that at that time pu
l. II t.. .hA DVHf Au1AT IA
denounclng that movement, and adding n
name to the list at the Office OF the Bdltinio
American, calling meeting to send delegat
to the Soldiers and Sailors Convention
Pittsburg; and, also, that have from III
time to the present, both In conversation III
public print, denounced the policy of A
drew johnson on reconstruction.
!. Having attested my devotion to princlI
by abandoning my business and leaving II
party In 1855, my loyalty by nearly 70
years. service during the rebellion, and n
steadfast adherence since the war to Il
principles for which fought, I ioW not nc
quietly rest under the charge of being a co
/. perheGd, preferred by those who sat In secu
places at home when the life Of the matte
was endangered.
received the compliment Of an Indoors
in resolutions OF the ten posts Of the sc.
r." Of the Department Of the Potomac, 0
| Ill w tIc ihotai
whose committee waited on the Preside
and urged upon him my nomination as he
lister OF the Treasury, stating to him thai
Te was the only person that Order had ever G
H. dorsed for an office. have the honor
in being a member of that Order, and W
10 simply say that admission thereto to tho
4. who know OF Its requirements Is a sufiicie
re guarantee of my principles.
bs These facts as to my status do not rest
my assertions alone, as the letters OF fricn
who have known me from boyhood, a
whose deeds during the war on the side
= the Union pass to history, and the traI
cripts from the official records OF the W
Department, on file with my application
appointment as register, together with
evidence Of disinterested persons who knC
me well, will fully establish them.
And, sir, invite and challenge inyestlg
, ton on the charge made, knowing that ia
minded, honest-dealing men cannot cnt
he tain 1t one moment when In possession
the facts.
have the honor to be, very respectful
your obedlcnt servant,
+, J. o. p. BURNSIDE
Hon. G. +. EDMrSDs, United States Senate
Washington, d. c.
o.. |