The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-16
Gpeaing State Jn,,rnai.
MONDAY EvE'G. SEPT. 1G, 1872.
THE GREELEY.LYoNs IMBRoGLIo.

THE GREELEY-LYONS IMBROGLIO.
We did not copy the closing communica-
ton Of Mr.. Lyons on the subject of the
Tribune MiscegenationTract, which appear
ed in the Enquirer on the 18th inst, for the
reason that we preferred to wait until the
Tribune should put in rejoinder, if it saw
fit to do 50. AS that paper makes no reply,
the original charge of Mr.. Lyons must be
taken as confessed. For when q lawyer
puts in plea of confession and avoidance,
as the Tribune did in this case, and the
alleged matter of avoidance is shown to be
false in its most essential particulars, there
is nothing left for the court to do but to
enter up judgment; and so the public
must enter its judgment in this case. Five
days since the 18th is time enough for the
Tribune to have rejoined. The following is
the article as it appeared in the Enquirer:
FURTHER ABOUT THE MIsCEGENA-
TION PARAGRAPH - EXPLANATION
.4 OFHIS REPORTED REMARKS AT LOUIS
T. WILLIE.
: TO the Editor Of the Richmond Enquirer
May be permitted once more, and for
the last time, to trespass upon your court
esy !? When | wrote to the Fredericksburg
committee, and quoted certain words about
Southern women, which had been furnished
to me as having been used by Mr.. Greeley,
l was denounced in the Tribune of the Both
July, in unmeasured terms. Both it and
its correspondents pronounced me fool,
ass and knare," for ascribing to Mr.. Gree
ley words which had been extracted by the
Tribune, as they alleged, from " A loac,
literary buTleSgue, once Some,ohm h7lotcn,
and pretty vigorously announced mMe Tri-
bune, entitled Miscegenotion." The New
York Woad-known to everybody not
only as 'Hhe mould of fashion and glass of
FORM" but the very pink of chivalry. and
worshiper of truth--also became so much
enraged against me as almost to forget its
propriety, and, repeating the defence of the
Tribune, demanded that I should produce
the proof or retract. You republished
that demand, and I Immediately sent you
a copy of letter, which | had written to
Pomeroy's Democrat, showing that Colonel
Duncan was my informant, and that he
was sustained by the editor of the New
York Day Book (then anti-Greeley, now
pro-Greeley) and a Mr.. Brooks, of the New
York Herald. AT the same time invited
the Tribune and its auxiliaries to republish
the alleged extract and its denunciation by
the Tribune, pledging myself, If they would,
to confess publicly that | had been led
into an error, and stating also that
4 could not publish it, because l could not
command the book, Miscegenation. Mr..
John Oliver, of this city, reading that
statement has kindly lent me the book and
now herewith submit to You the certif-
Gates of Joseph Lane Stern, Esq, and DIR.
Charles Macgil, of this city, showing that
there is not word of the language which
quoted to be found in that book. | have
it still in my possession, and will be glad
to submit it to any gentleman who wishes
to read it. think / may safely say now
that have fairly made good my allegation
and indicated myself, if any vindication
was necessary, from the various epithets
and imputations which have been cast upon
me in connection with it.
The IVo,ld, departing from its usually
lofty as well as comprehensive course,
did not republish my Pomeroy Letter, or
even allude to it T; but in its modification
and distress at the terrible wrong which had
been done, as it supposed, to its dear
"Sahib Horace Greeley" still denounced
me for failing to adduce the proof, which
l had adduced, and then anointed me with
its own essential oil, calling me "Jeemes."
What will it do now?
Before | lay down the pen will you allow
me to allude to an extract which appeared
in your paper this morning from the cor
respondence of the World, in relation to
the Louisville Convention? The reference
to my name and to my opinions here, at
my own door, make it necessary that |
should, with your permission, alude to it,
that | may not be supposed to concur in
& its denunciations of my late associates.
Wonderful as it may be that there should
be found any inaccuracy in the Mrs. Grun-
dys of the World, it is nevertheless fact
that, as far as know and believe, there is
not word of truth in the extract, ex-
cept that l declined to go to New York
to tender the nomination to Mr.. O'Conor,
after he had thrice rejected it,
and did not think the fourth
nomination expedient- although I shall be
most happy if he has accepted it. So far
from casting any slur upon the Convention
over which esteem it an honor to have
presided, | say with as much pleasure as
truth, that it was one of the best looking
bodies Of men ever met that there We're
great many men Of talent in it, and as far
as could judge, they were earnest and
sincere. If there was in it single man
who was tainted by any act calculated to
impair his perfect responsibility, such act
was not known to me; nor did / hear a
single expression from any man calculated
to excite suspicion of double-dealng, while
among those with whom became person.
ally acquainted, were many entitled to my
cordial respect and regard.
Very respectfully,
..a.L!Er3 JAMES LYONS.