Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-03-18

EprroR LEpoER; The readers oil
the Memphis city papers cannot fail to
| have observed the vindictive personal At
tacks upon me, contained 10 almost
every issue of that smallest Of papers.
the SIN. The number this morning
exceeds all others in the vulgarity Of its
language.
The editor of the Sun, Mr.. L. j. Du-
pre-, has purpose in this abuse OF me.
He desires to get me out Of the Missis-
sippi River railroad, which Ifhave
worked up, single-handed. to its present
commanding position before the country,
aud to get his friend, Colonel Sam. Tate,
in because he thinks there is money
and fame in the enterprise. BE (Dupre)
tried first, in the LEDGER, by inuendoes
against my capacity and character, to
accomplish his purpose; and then he
went to DR.. A. Il. Kerr Zone OF the Dr.
rectors of my road), to learn upon what
terms ! would be willing to give way to
Colonel Tate, assuring DR.. Kerr that l
should be handsomely provided for in
consideration of the work / had done for
the road, and that should be guaranteed
the Presidency % Of my road at q lib
eral salary as long as / desired it. q
DR.. Kerr (uoble gentleman that he is)
replied that no change could be made in
the management of the road, with his
consent, that WAS not consistent with my
rights and my self-respect; and then he
called Dupre's attention to the unfriendly
tone of his publications in the .LEDGER
against me. Dupre instantly disavowed
the intention of saying anything dis
respectful Of me, and next day dec. 23)
published a communication in the
LEDsER, publicly disavowing the con-
structiou of uafriendliness toward me
that had been put upon his language, and
declaring that /" Mr.. Mitchell was Q gen.
tleman whose moral worth was unques-
toned" ip t
) Since the above date Dupre has
sought twice (once through Colouel A.
h. Douglas, and again through Colonel
NJ. T. Ryder to brig about an inter-
view between himself, Colonel Sam. Tate
and myself, with the view of transferring
the Mississippi River railroad to Colonel
Tate's control. Bat finding fattery
through the LEDGER aud promises of
honor aud fat salary through Dr. Kerr
of no avail in moving me to an abandon
ment of my rights aud the true interests
of Memphis ia regard 10 this road,
Dupre has gone back to his earlier tactics
of personal abuse. Perhaps be will suc-
coed We shall see.
By way of crusher this morning, Du-
pree speaks of me as the poverty
stricken" Mitchell It is true / was
badly impoverished BY the war, and /
am not now as rich as would like to be;
but am working hard, and in legiti-
mate way, to build an important railroad
for Memphis, with every prospect of sue
cess. / hope to be generously rewarded
for my labor. Bat, lacking wealth though
| be, am not so poor but that pay all
my bills 10 Memphis, aud am some
times able to give help to the needy. For
instance, about year ago one l.. J. Du-
pre- concluded to get rid of his honest
debts through the agency Of the bankrupt
law. But the law and rules OF the court
required deposit of one hundred dollars
on fling his petition. Dupre mot "pov-
erty-strickeD," of courseD could not
raise the stakes to go into bankruptcy,
and so be came to me with ten dollars.
and begged me to file his petition and
trust him for the balance / did so, and
thus made myself liable for his fees !
And when he was able afterwerd to raise
his deposit to fifty dollars, ! interceded
with the Register, and got his coats linn
tied TO less than half price. Dupre pro-
fessed to be gratefulto me for this charity.
The public can see what value he places
on obligations which true gentlemen are
generally glad to recognize.
Man and boy, have been known to
the people of Tennessee forty years.
During all that time have never fore
sworn deb, or betrayed a friend. !
have the cordial aud united support of
the people of every couatY on the line
of the Mississippi River railroad, and
can neither be bought, bullied or black.
guarded out Of my position. When /
shall become SO lost to the instincts that
should adorn a gentleman az to solicit
personal favor and receive it, and then,
without provocation, turn upon the friend
that relieved nae, | shall deserve the
epithet of poverty-stricken," for shall
be az bankrupt in principle as in purse.
Respectfully, A. s. MIrqEELl.