Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1869-11-20


depart and, for aught ] know to the con
trary, be Is still living like myself, an old
man. whose fighting days are over now,
ready for the grave"
LOUIS DENT.
His Efforts to defend his Iufa-
NOUS Character.
However much we may condemn any
attempt Of the fugitive to fee from Justice
there is something to be admired ID the
reckless daring and boldness Of the indi-
vidual who leads the pursuing populace,
and is loudest IN the cry Of stop thief"
that he may divert attention from himself,
and 90 unsupported or make good his es
cape. 1t Isl exhibition Of artful strategy
that but few can boast oil, and shows that
the man was formed Tor most Successful
and accomplished villain. This is the at
titude we find occupied by Judge Dent,
the National Republican candidate for
Governor. Arraigned before the bar Of
public opinion upon charges Of rascality
and crime, most fearful and crushing, be
seeks to conceal his guilt by making q
libellous assault upon the character OF the
men who bear the ruinous testimony
against him, and those who have been the
means Of spreading il to the people but
he must presume largely on the ignorance
and credulty Of the public il be thinks
that this will be satisfactory answer to
the charges preferred. Under the cir
cumstances however. and in view Of the
sad dilemma into which be was thrown by
this death dealing bombshell. what could
he do but repeat the silly cry Of the school
boy, " you're another" and there rest his
case. The charges could not be rebutted
with counter testimony Of nndoubted char
acter and he could not appeal to the peo-
pie for vindication. for they had not known
him either BY association or reputation,
and therefore could not extend to him
their confidence. II was strong dilemma
10 desperate case, which required q des-
perate remedy, and Judge Dent was equal
TO the emergency. He could not abandon
the canvass and fee the State, for by so
doing he would acknowledge that be is at
tempting to perpetuate airaud upon the
people aud 10 allow the charges TO go un-
answered would be acknowledging their
truthfulness. Hence we find him before
the public in card Of some length, which
is intended for bis defense. 1t is about
such document as was expected from
him, knowing his critical situation, and
the outrageous character be was compel
ed to defend. Alter admitting that the
President does not support him in hisreck-
less effort to force himself into the Guber
material char, he attempts TO defend bis
course toward bis creditors in Coahoma
county. 1t is not probable that his politi-
cal opponents would have arraigned him
on this sscore, had be not endeayored,
throughhis friends, TO create the Impress
ion that he is possessed Of immense wealth,
and publicly declared himself that he owns
land in every Safe in the Union. II he
wasworth SO much property, it seemed
strange that he could not discharge his
Indebtedness to the colored man Of Goa
homa, and particularly to the Irish wash
woman whom he owes one hundred and
forty dollars for washing his dirty linen,
over two years ago. II now turns out that
he is as bankrupt in fortune as he is in
brains and honesty, and that he has been
playing the role Of wealthy Dabob only 30
long as be could deceive the people BY
false representations. These admissions
no doubt are very hnmiliaiing, At least
to the pretensions OF the bold impostor,
and have been wrenched from him with
as much difficulty as his prumise to pay
bis Coahoma due-bills as soon as he co..
lects his salary Of Governor. But all the
welI-grounded objections that heretofore
have been urged against Mr.. Dent sink
into insignifcance When compared to the
new Developments made BY Mr.. PENN. |
man and others. These are not to be SO |
lightly dismissed, either BY Judge Dent
or the people. The plea set up BY him
that Mr.. Penniman Is as devoid Of honor
and honesty as himself does, not dispose
Of the charge Of blackmailing, bribery and |
corruption. preferred upon sworn and at
tested evidence. Admitting for argument
that Mr. Penniman Is as bad man rs
Judge Dent would have US believe, il
would only verify the saying that = il takes
a thief to catch a thieI," both being fami
liar with the practice and tricks common
to that class Of men. But this reflection
upon the character Of Mr.. Penuiman is
wholly unwarranted, as can be proven BY
the best citizens OF New Orleans. He IS
q gentleman Of strict integrity, and Ia er-
cry way responsible for the exposure Of
Judge Dents character, Notwithstanding
the manufactured aiIidarits which the . in
corruptible Judge has brought 10 prove
him unreliable. Great stress is also placed
% the letter Of Commissioner Rollins,
written IL March last. wherein be states,
On the authority Of a sub Revenue officer.
that the charges preferred b Mr.. PENN.
man against Judge Dent have been receiv.
I'd and Ioand without any foundation, =
md that Mr Penniman Was allowed the n
privilege ofcross examining ihe witnesses
produced BY Dent to exonerats himself
but It does not appear that such examin
ltion was made .ss. s,s /,
{ Mr.. Penniman had reported the case to
The proper government officer, and BY 50
doing discharged his duty As good CHI.
zen. Neither does Il necessarily follow
hat The charges preferred b. Mf. Penni- 1
man al TINT time, and renewed Ia his re
cent letter are untrue, since an &c pcrls
hearing has so decided. Mr.. Dents readi.