New-York tribune., 1870-04-27
Mr.. CHARLES S. SPENCERS CONFESSION
From To-day's Independent.

From Toaays Independent
Not in the whole course OF our editorial eX-
perience have received more remarkable epis-
lie than the which publish below from Mr. Chas
Spencer OF the attorneys now engaged in defend
ing Daniel Mcfarland for the murder of Albert d. Rich
ardsOn. 1t VIII be remembered by our readers that IN
our last week issue alluded to the foul words which
Mr. spencer in his opening speech volunteered to apply
to good woman ON whom no breath OF suspicion had
ever been breathed until his lips emitted the SIAN
der; a lady with whom We have been personally ac-
quanted for years. and Of whom during all this time,
We never heard any other word spoken than OF esteem
and praise We refraned, in last weeks comments
from quoting Mr.: spencers language but, in order to
as follows the exact words of his accusation:
81 refer to woman here commonly known as ana de-
Sprator, PAsDERER, and PROCUREss, from the begin
ming to the end"
our comment on this slander, last week. follows
I'VE do not hesitate to say that the attack on Mrs Cal
IA was ever perpeirated ny any lawyer III any court
yes, even by Tombs trckster in Tombs trial And II
the theory of the prosecution be just-tha husband Is
the tit ayenger of wes honor and is to be not only
pardoned, but applauded for shooting whomsoever as
Runkle would not have justified in shooting Mr..
Spencer in the very act Of uterng his defamng speechf
In midst of the general silence Of the press the
subject, wish to say in the most public manner posi-
BILE, that Mr.. spencers conduct toward Mrs Calhoun
was an outrage public decency, and that until he
makes public apology for IL he must forever he regarded
that worst of all cowards-the assassin of Il ladys
We now give Mr. spencers response to the above crti
NEw-YoRK, April 20, 1870
THEODORE TuToN, esq.
M Pear S nsys T n s %eaR heeed
Spencers Crime" with no personal malice, and in the
cnG nG made my opening in The Mcfarland with
T sucon l pp to facts Of the DEFENDANT and with docH
ments and memoranda of evidence before me. No adyo
done otherwise than did It was ~ me a peculiarly
dsagreeable duty in view OF my personal regard for
of which you speak you know that In the fight for the
freedom OF the slave have ever been by your side OF
the personal purity OF character Of Mrs Runke have
not the shadow of doubt but counsel for my client
We contend and believe, however innocent may have
been its pHrPSse has worked out the separation OF Mr..
sons me pain for highly value your good opinion Re
Here is lawyer who in open court in the presence OF
all the press and knowing that his words will he pub
shed to the ends OF the earth says Of an nns1ed lady
possible to be uttered by any man concerning any
ana ~ |G hs eanae 81 Sr sworn acer e n cd ,t
Of justice, sits down and deliberately writes: Of the
e @ and as %S not s"nten tSfss NTH
having thus confessed his own perjury makes the start
approGaIion y his colleagues" and who then charges
the same hor be crime upon the whole legal profession
his day and done oerria Gn did" Has il come to
this, then, that man in taking his oath lawyer
takes at the time license to be perjurer And
does Mr. spencers associate, Mr. Gerry whose grand
father signed the Declaration OF Independence give his
of NewYork 10 he thus tauncd, by this bevy Of it's
present most notorious members with the common
mission OF crime for which the State sends the perpe
traitor TO prison. and for which Heaven reserves the pe
atty that bInOte hnanIasf
Is not this letter which should make every honor
able member OF the legal profession burn with just anger
against these accusers Of their guild Better have
law at all than such code OF morals for awyers Bet
Ter no courts OF ustc. than such officers who turn and
rend their own oaths We said that Mr. Spencer owed
public apology to Mrs Runkle His letter makes IL. But
who can say what Mr., Spencer now owes ~ himselfi
Let us aekno Wedge however that do not entertain
Tor his sran constituted man the slightest Ill WILL
Indeed the ft indignation which his accusation against
good woman excited in mind hso been
plying charity for the moral insensbiity which his
letter displays Familiar with the hundred occupations
made against Mr. Spencer for the last years. we have
seadfasty refused to regard him essentially bad
character But when man deliberately sets his own
autograph 70 letter containing the confession OF his
bastard iness and sends II to public journal hay-
ing quarter OF million readers he not only invites
ourselves bu all the rest OF his feowcitzens 10 regard
him hayiIg forfeited his right an honorable name
Mr Spencer processes 10 value good opinion. We do
not consider II NJ great worth but such as IL is Mr.
Spencer Hiut become different In order TO earn IL