The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-09-16
A SIandcr RefuIed.

Although the fact has never been hereto
fore questioned that, in 1866, Asa Packer
made contribution Of. flee hundred thousand
dollars for the erection of Lehigh College,
the radical papers, being unable to say any
thing against him. have resorted to the con-
temptibIe expedent of trying to rob him of
that honor.
The Philadelphia Post, leading radical
sheet, published the following unfounded
statement in reference to the matter. which
drew from the Vice President of the Lehigh
Valley Rail Road reply which etfectually
exposes the injustice attempted to be done
10 the fair name and reputation of Judge
Packer. We print the bane and the anti
dote together:
PACKER AND THE LEHIGH CoLLEGE-wEo PAID
THE $500, ,U00f
Among the praises sung of Mr. Packer is an
alleged contribution or endowment of Lehi5 h
College of S500 900, which was made mum
Der OF wears ago. The Democratic press. gen
orally, is content with quoting the Presbyterian
Banners endorsement of that liberal bequest,
which, of course, speaks from appearances
| The truth is, there is n strong reason for be-
! lieving that Mr.. Packer NEVER CONTRIBUTED A
/
| endowment of that institution, the whole pro-
! ceeding having been one through which rail-
road company's bonds were negotiated Ill Eu-
/ rope by what might be called q sharp specua-
| ton. We give outlines of the proceeding, as
| whispered by the knowing ones, and those who
! know Mr.. Packer ard his speculations well,
| say that it is precisely in character with him
| During the time that a certain railroad compa-
ny, in which Mr.. Packer and is still inter
ested was in that position hen few millions
| would either make or break it, and when it
| could not command loan in this country, ex-
| cept at Iuinous sacrifice, the brilliant idea oc-
| Cured to some one that by mixing up little
theology with its stock the thing could be eft
fected. Mr.. Packer was accordingly despatch
! ed to England as ambassador, carrying with
| him letters and papers holding him up the
munificent contributor of 500 200 to an Epls
copal College. OF course Mr.. Packer was
| looked upon as a great man. and between
| Church and State the loan was negotiated
The Episcopal part was dropped, but 1t IS still
under the control Of that Church.
! The loan effected Mr.. Packer returned, and
| now comes the best part of this magnificent
| idea, namely whether Mr.. Packer, who had
obtained the reputation of having given a
| princely endowment to college, or the rail
road company, which had derived the benefit
of this ruse, should pay the half million? Our
eyesignt, through a small hole in the wall,
shows Us that the railroad paid it. Let the
| Presbyterian Banner examine into this matter,
not among those Immediately interested in up
holding Mr.. Packer, and we strongly suspect
that it will stumble some facts in this ''be-
nifeent" transaction which will show where
the truth lies.
What gives this inner view of the case a
strong show of probability is the fact cited by a
paper published near MIR. Packers home, that
when DR.. Cattell, the energetic President of
Lafayette College at Easton, sought assistance
1 from the men of the valley to save that vener-
! able institution from ruin, b e appealed to Asa
| Packer, but got from him no assistance. He
next a aopied TO Mr.. Ario Pardee, of HaZelton
whose generosity Immediately responded by q
handsome endowment.
JUDGE PACKER AND THE LEHIGH ROAD.
To the Editor of the POst.-Sir In your
paper of the Sd instant there is an item headed
Packer and the Lehigh College. Who paid
the $500 ,OGO?"-in which it is intimated that
the money TO Lehigh University was really
paid by railroad company, and not by Judge
! Packer individually. Although not particular
| ly mentioned, the reference is plainly to the
| Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, and l think
/ it due to the stockholders, of whom there are
more than two thousand residing in this city
and immediate vicinity, to state that the com
| pany has never DIRECTLY or INDIRECTLY con-
tributed one dollar towards the Lehgh Univer-
| sity nor has Judge Packer or any one e.se ever
negotiated a loan in Europe on our account
| His visit there was, as far as We know, entirely
one of pleasure and relaxation from business
CHARLES HARTsHoRNE,
Vice President Lehigh Valley Railway
Philadelphia, September 6, 1869.