New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-30
MRS. STOWES ERADICATION.

The following is the Introductory chapter of Mrs
Stoves book on the Byron case. which is now in
the press of Fields, OsgOod 81 Co.:
Tho interval since my publication Of The True Story
Of Lady Byrons LIFE has been Of stormy discussion
and much invectiye.
have not thought it necessary to disturb my spirit
and confuse my OF right by even an attempt at
reading many abusive articles that both here and in
England have followed that disclosure. Friends have
undertaken the task for me- giving from time TO time
the substance OF anything really worthy OF attention
which came to view in the tumult
It appeared 70 me essential that this hrst exClteeh
should in measure spend itself before there would be
possibility OF speaking TO any purpose. Now when al
he hoped have said the utmost they can say, there
seems TO DO proprety ia listening calmly il that be
Ana first, Why have made this disclosure at all
To his InSUer briefly because considered my dufy
made it in defense of beloved. revered friend whose
memory stood forth IN the eyes OF the civilized word
charged with most repulsive crimes, OF which certainty
claim and shall prove that Lady Byron's reputation
has been the victim Of concerted attack begun by her
husband during her lifetime, and coming to It's climax
over her grave claim and shall prove that 1t was not
| who stirred up this controversy In this year 1902
shall show teho did do H. and who is responsible for
bringing on mo that hard duty OF making these dls,
closures which 1t appears TO mo ought to have been
claim that these facts were given to me unguarded
by any promise seal OF secrecy expressed or implied
that they lodged with sister rests her
story with another for sympathy for counsel for de-
should be obliged 10 50 cruel an anguish as this use OF
them has been 70 me Never ga suppose that-when
lying In the hepessneSs Of deathWhen that gentle
lying cold the tOmb-a countryman in England could
be found the foulest ISLANDERS her grave aud
not in al England to raise an effective voice IN her
defense.
admit the eebloness OF my plea, in point OF eXecu
ton. IL was written In state OF exhausted health Whe
labor Of the kind safe for mc-when NY hand had
not strength 10 hold the peu and was forced TO dictate
10 another
have been told that have reason congratulate
myself on IL literary effort, my brothers and sis
literary effOrtsl | ask any man with II heart IN ms
bosom II he had been obliged 10 tell story cruel be
cause his mothers grave gave no rest from sandcr-l
ask any woman who had been forced to such disclosure
free dead sisters name from grOsscs insults, whether
she would have thought OF making this work OF bitter
literary success
Are the cries OF the oppressed tho esps OF the dying
the last prayers Of mOtAcrs-are dnY words wruug Ike
drops Of blood from the human heart to DO judged as
literary efforts
My feow.countrymen Of America. mon Of the press.
have done you of iustee-Of all your bitter at
cles have read not one shall never DO troubled
unkind word yOu have said OF me, for nj this
moment / recolect not one. had such falth IN
yOu such pride IN my c0untynen, as men with whom,
above all others the Of woman safe and sacred.
that at first astonshed and ncrcdulous at what
heard OF the course 81 the American press ant was SILENT
merely FROM the iiupOssbiiiy 81 being heard but
from grief and shame But reflection conynees me hat
Of facts and through misguided honorable feeling ana
still feel courage. therefore, 10 ask from fair hear
g. now, as nave lohe 5Ou thH justice, VIII AOu also
do ne the justice TO hear me seriously aud candidly
in tins short life OF ours to utter anything but ge truth
is not truth between and man and between and
woman the foundation which all things rest Have
you not, every individual OF you, who must hereafter
give account yourself alone TO God, interest to
know the exact truth IN this matter, and duty 10 per
form respects that TRUTH Hear ne. :hen, while tell
YOU the position in which Stood and what was my
course IN relation to &C.
A shameless attack on my friends memory had ap-
peared IN the BGcEcOCd OF July 1869. branding Lady
Byron IA the vlles ~ criminals and recommending the
GuicCO book 10 Christian pubic Interesting fiOm
the very fact that was The ayowed production Of Lord
ByrOns mistress. No efficient protest made against
this outrage IN England, and Li6S LiCg Age reprinted
the BlackwOOd article and the grpers the largest pub
fishing house In America, perhaps IN the world IepuD
nshcd the book.
It's statements-with those OF the Biaclvood
Pail AaH Gazette, and other English pcriod
cals-WcTe being prOpagatcd through an tho
young reading ana writing world OF America. | was
meeting them advertised IN daies, and mado w into
articles In magazines and thus the generation OF today
who had no means Of judging Lady Byron but by these
fables Of her slanderers being fOuliy deceived
The friends who knew her personally a small select
circle in England whom death is every day reducing
They were few in number compared with the great
world, and were silent saw these foul ISLANDERS crys
taiZing into history uncOntradicted by friends who
Of her virtues ana limited IN view aristOcrac circles
generally had no idea or the width the world they
were living in and the e&gency Of the crisis When time
passed on ana no voice was raised. spoke gave al
first simple story, for knew iDsnctiyely that who
put the first steel point OF truth into this dark cloud
must say the storm exceeded my expectations aud has
ragged loud and long. But now that there "a compare
tive stiffness shall proceed, first prove what have
just been asserting, and second 10 add true story
such facts and incidents as did not think proper at st
70 state.