The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-01-06

We print the following from advance
sheets of Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stoves
forthcoming book in vindication of her
"True Story of Lady Byron"
The interval since my publication of
sThe True Story of Lady Byron's Life
has been one of stormy discussion and of
much inyeetiys.
Il have not thought it necessary to dis
tnrb my spirit and CONFUSE nay sense Of
Tight By even an attempt at reading the
many abusive articles that both here and
IN England hare followed that disclosure.
Friends have undertaken the task for me,
giving. me from time TO time the sub
stance Of anything reall worthy of at
tention which came to view ia the tumult.
" 1t appeared to ms essential that this
first excitement should in measure spend
itself before there would be possibility
of speaking to any purpose. Now, when
ali would seem to have spoken who can
speak, and, it is to be hoped, have said
the utmost they can say, there seems a
propriety in listening calmly, if that be
possible, to what have to say in reply.
a3'.'tAnd first, why have 1 made this dis
closure at ala u tco ht
IL tfGSo L AItoSCST OTtcIGy, O6CUIS6 L con-
sidered 1T may duty to make 1t.
a" made it in defense of beloved, re-
vered friend, whose memory stood forth
before the eyes of the civilized world
charged with most rspulsivs crimes, of
which | certainly knew her inHocsnt
claim, and shall prove, that Lady
Byron's reputation has been the victim Of
concerted attack, begun by her hus-
band during her lifetime, and coming 10
It's climax over her grave I claim, and
snail prove, that it was not | who stirred
UP this controversy in this yrar 1869. I
shall show a0h0 did do at, and who is re-
sponsibls for bringing that hard duty of
making these disclosures, which it ap-
pears to me ought TO have been made by
others
II claim that these facts were given to
me unguarded by any promise or seal OF
secresy, expressed or implied; that they
were lodged with me as one sister rests
her story with another for sympathy, for
counsel, for defense. Ne1er did suppose
the day would come that I should be
obliged to so cruel an anguish as this use
OF them has been to me. Never did 1
suppose that-When those kind hands
that had she'd nothing but blessings were
lying In the helplessness of death-whcn
that gentle heart, so sorely tried and to
the last so full Of love, was lying cold in
the tomb-a countryman in England
could be found to cast the foulest ISLANDERS
on her grave-an not one in all England
to raise an effective voice in her defense
{" Iadmit the feeblsness of my plea, in
point of execution. 1t vas written In a
state of exhausted health, when no labor
OF the kind was safe for me-when nv
hand had not strength to hold the pen,
and was forced to dictate to another.
have been told that l have no rsa-
son to congratulate myself on it as lit
erary effort. o, my brothers and sisters,
IS there then nothing in the world to
think OF but literary efforts I ask any
man with heart in his bosom, if he had
been Obliged to tell a story so cruel, be-
cause his mothers grave gave no rest from
slander-I ask any woman who had been
forced to such a disclosure to free a dead
sisters name from the grossest insults,
whether she would have thought of max
ing this work of bitterness literary sue
cess
+" Are the cries of the oppressed, the
gasps of the dying, the last prayers of
mothers-or dny words wrung like drops
OF blood from the human heart to be
judged as literary efforts?
My fellow countrymen of America,
men OF the press, have done you one act
OF Justlce-of all your bitter articles, [
have read not one. I shall never be
troubled In the future time by the re-
membrance of any unkind word YOU have
said OF me, for at this moment recollect
not one. / had such faith in YOU. such
pride IN my countrymen, as men with
whom, above all others, the cause of
woman was sacred, that I was at first as
tonished and increduIous at what heard
OF the course OF the American press, and
was silent, not merely from the impossi-
blllty OF being heard, but from grief and
shame. But reflection convinces me that
you were, In many cases. acting from
misunderstanding of facts and through
misguided honorable feeling and [ still
feel courage, therefore, to ask from YOU a
tar hearing. Now, as I have done YOU
this justice, will you also do me the ius-
tIce to hear me seriously and candidly?
w hat interest have youor [, my broth
ef and my sister, in this short life of ours,
to utter anything but the truth? Is not
truth between man and man and between
man and woman the foundation on which
al things rest? Have you not, every in
alYlduaI OF you, who must hereafter give
an account yourself atone to God, an in
terest to know the exact truth. in this
matter, and a4duty to perform as respects
that truth : Hear me, then, while [ tell
you the position in which stood, and
what was my course in relation to it.
"a shameless attack on my friends
memory appeared in the BJacbeoood of
July, 1869, branding Lady Byron as the