The Portland daily press., 1870-12-02
SAchau.,,

we print the following by special request.
1t has reference to certain local ouarrels
which are interesting to those Immediately
engaged:
Dir. EDITOR,-Of this parsonage 1 am SO
fortunate as to have in my library very reli-
able, though brief biography. He is there
represented as having seven taken of the ac-
cursed thing, also stolen, and dissembled
also" The the things stolen were Babylon
ish garment, a large amount of silver, and
wedge of gold. Perhaps "Achan" will not
be satisfied with this biographical sketch
when he shall learn of its existence. Well,
as it is not an autobiography, he can make
any corrections he thinks proper in the Ok
ford Democrat, and the readers of that jour-
nal will give him an impartial bearing.
So far as one reader of the Democrat is
concerned, he fully believes that "Achan" was
a great sinner-hopes tnat he has reformed,
but has grave doubts about it.
Ee 8 cha a dissembler, have not
the shadow.o.ss .oubt, and if there has been
any reform in this prospect, it was a wonder
ful work of grace.
That he was violator of the Decalogue
generally, it seems to me We have an un-
doubted right to infer; but as it is not now
my purpose to dissect the general character of
"Achan," will pass by in silence, so far as
elfdetense allows, all his moral delinquent
cies.
That he is or was ready and eager to bear
false witness in his communication to the Ok
ford Democrat of the 28th ultimo, over his
own name, will be made so patent by the
proof herewith furnished, that even bis ad-
miring friends will, with caution surely, if at
all, seek an unenviable fame by emulatiIg his
example,
AS to that little matter of silver and gold,
am perfectly satisfied he would not now do
so naughty thing, and especially, hide the
glitteriDg metal in the earth when it would
be so very convenient just now to cancel long
outstanding obligations. The Babylonish
garment, too, l have never seen him wear,
nor have l heard any living man speak OF
having seen it.
ca /, then, must come to the conclusion that
silver, gold and garment were matters of not
very recent date; at the worst, mere pecca-
dilloes of youth.
According to learned authors, the cores
pondent's name, "Achan," signifies trouble.
How applicable! How unfortunate are his
neighbors and his party friends!
Our town meetings are usually quiet; but
at our last meeting, am led to believe that
mistakes in counting up the votes were made
in consequence of undue excitement on the
part of one of the fathers of the town. His
mind seemed to be under so high degree of
excitement that for a long time on election
day he was unable lin charity so concude)
to act as one of the presiding officers. although
one OF his associates was at home sick. But
nothing serious grew out of his apparent in
sanity as either draught of Mrs. Winslow's
soothing syrup or al opiate prescribed by the
voters of this Representative district had q
very cooling effect upon him, and am happy
to state that he shortly became conyalescent,
and is now believed to be out of danger. !
might add that in reality there was no cause
for special alarm, as similar attacks are not
| infrequent, and lthe disease is said to be he
| redtary IN the paternal line.
Although out of its order must bring one
more very serious charge against "Achan,"
and then l will dismiss him. He has openly
| in the Democrat and in the very sanctum Of
/ its editor, set at defiance the teachings of a
| poet, a poet whose name is tamong the few,
| the immortal few that were not born to die; ;
teachings too, so often instlled into his youth
| full mind, and enforced by his maternal pq-
rient when she (poor womak with uplifted
rod or open palm, rehearsed to her wayward
son "But children, you should never let such
angry passions rise, Your little"- &c.
In the Oxford Democrat of the 14th ult.,
| over the signature of "V.," is plain, simple
statement of facts.
The battle axe was not sought, neither was
| it used. Whether stated truth or falsehood
| can be tadjudsed by reading the certificate
| given below. That the moral character of
our town clerk, Mr.. Norton, is without a
stain, that his reputation for truth is as good
as that of any man in this town, can show
by any amount of testimony.
l will only add thats"V." did vote for Mr..
Perham for Governor, that his reasons for
boiling so far as he did, were and are perfectly
! ly satisfactory to himself.
Those disposed to condemn boiling under
| any circumstances may read, perhaps with
| profit, an article in the New York weekly
Tribune of Sept. 20, 1870, 4th page, written
! l suppose by the senior editor, and, if they
choose so to do, make inquiries in relation to
| certain (by me nameless) operations trans
pirjng in South Western Oxford, prior to and
on, the day of election. v.
/, Gilman A. Norton on oath certify that all
of the statements made by "Y." in the Ok
ford Democrat of Octaber IA, 1870, are TO
my knowledge strictly true in every partic-
ular GILMAN A. NORTON,
Town Clerk OF Porter
CUMBERLAND IS. Nov. 10, 1870.
Sworn to and subscribed before me,
THOMAS MoULToN,
Justice of the Peace.