The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-10-03
60 Reply yot-Why is Gen. Woodford
silent

Silcntt
Gen. WooDFoRD continues his election
.cring tour, and makes speeches upon all
he gcnoralites of the campaign; but he
has not yet answered the imputations that
have been cast on his character in regard to
his conduct while Assistant District Attor.
noy Nor does he explain the five thousand
dollar fee paid to his law partner for the pas
cage of the French Cable bill through the
Legislature while Gen. WooDroRD himself
was President of the Senate. Nor docs he
give any denial TO the assertion that, while
member of the Canal Board his support
was habitually assured TO every corrupt
rlam and suspicious proposition brought
before that Board
Gen. NooDFORD seems TO adopt toward
.hesc accusations, made upon responsible
authority, the system adopted by the bride
taking BANCROFT DAVIS toward tho facts
proved by the Legislature of Massachusetts,
In the case of DAVIS, this system is regarded
by the whole country as equivalent to a con.
feesion of his guilt; and unless Gen WooD.
FORD desires that the charges made against
him should also I've taken as admitted, he
must at once break his silence aud bring for
ward proofs in his defence. These proofs
must I've complete and sure. 1t will not
answer for him to set up any general test.
monial Of good character 1t must
he proved that he did not agree
with APPLETON OAKsMTrn, the slave.
trader, to bond for sum less than her
value the schooner Augusta, with which
oARsMiTn was about to sail upon slave.
trading expedition TO the coast of Africa it
must BE- proved that he did not in defiance
of the orders of the District Attorney the
Hon. L. DEIAFIELD SMITH, who was at the
time confined to his house by q dangerous
illness appoint his own father inlaw, Mr.
CAPEN a South street ship chandler TO ap-
praise the Augusta (; it must be proved that
he did not take q bond for the sum of $1,000
for that vessel, having every reason TO be
lieve that she would instantly be despatched
upon the slave trade and ii must be proved
that all this was not done in consideration of
any sum of money paid either to WooDFoRD
himself or TO his father.in-law as a consid-
Grafton for this astonishing proceeding.
This is what Gen. WooDFoRD has TO estal..
lsh, and we say again that it cannot be done
by any general testimonial as to good char.
octer and moral standing. The accusation is
clear; it is made by responsible parties; and
it must he set aside by evidence that cannot
be gainsayed. We trust that Gen WooDFoRD
will be able so TO st it aside we trust that
he will be able TO prove that all these ale.
cations are unfounded but we confess that
his delay in making he answer and In
coming forward with his testimony greatly
weakens our hope that he may be proved
innocent and increases our fear that he is
not free from guilt this grave and startling
matter of connving at the slave trade.
So, too, in regard to the payment of FIVE
thousand dollars to his law partner by the
French Gable Company. Must we also talse
that az admitted9 Or will Gen. WooDFoRD
break his silence and bring evidence to show
that the charge is without foundation 81
far IL has only been confirmed. Mr. c. C.
LEGGH, TO whom the charter of the French
Cable Company was granted by the Legisla
ture Of this State, has promptly appeared
and declared that he did not pay five thou
sand dollars to Gen. WoopFoRD; but as h.
has carefully rsfrainel from denying any
such payment to Gen. WooDFouDs law
partner, the inference is very strong that II
was actually made. But can Gen WooprORn
fail TO see tlGt man cannot be a candidatr
for Governor with any hope Of receiving TIA
,f Z