Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-04-18
Gbs 9aip spp: aatqesr, Gbursoap uring apr 49, 1872
From the Cincinnati Gazette, April 15th.l
w. j. Cramcr, u. n. Minister 10 Dem
NuarIx

From the Cincinnati Gazette, April 15thl
VI. J. Cramer, u. y. Minister TO Dem
mark.
To the Editor Of the Cincinnati Gazette: The
gentleman whose name is mentioned above is
the brother-in-law of the president of the United
States-the husband Of Gen. Grants sister
This explanation is hardly necessary as that
fact seems TO be well Kept before the people but
its being so often alluded TO, and the deduction
drawn theTeirom that solely on this account was
he appointed, and that he is totally unfit for
this distinguished office, leads me to ask the
space in your columns, hoping that a candid
| public will pause a moment in the midst of
president making, and read plain, truthful
statement, every word of which can be substan-
tiated by proof.
1. Mr.. Cramer was appointed consul at Leipzig
! by President Grants predecessor, and continued
/ IN that position when the new administration
came into power During his sojourn there OF
| several years Duration he mingled with, and
| attended the lectures of, the professors Of the
| Leipzig university; was invited to lecture, and
| acquitted himself creditably as graduate OF
| the Ohio Wesleyan university OF Delaware,
OHIO. Mr.. Sumner in his efforts to defeat the
| subsequent ratification in the United States SEN
ate of Mr. Cramers appointment, alluded TO
| Mr.. Cramer as not manifesting pluck and digni-
/ ~ in not defending himself against a rear on
| slaught by an enraged young man with heavy
| cane (simiar to the affair OF Messrs. Sumner
/ ana BROOKS IN inc Jultcu oldleS ScudltJ, Ut
| tense from which at the time was simply I'M
| possible; at least quite as much so as in the case
of Mr.. S. during his memorable affair. 1t arose
| simply =. in Mr.. Cramer's refusing TO give up
letter sent TO his care. The affair was afterward
adjusted on the most honorable basis.
3 His appointment as United States minister
to Denmark was mainly brought about by his
friends in Cincinnati and elsewhere. The presi-
dent was petitiOned by men of the highest stand
ing, and these petitions are on file in the state
department in Washington, together with letters
from gentlemen such as George H. Stuart Of
Philadelphia, Cornell of New York, and others
of unimpeachable integrity, in which his fitness
for the position was distinctly stated In fact,
had Mr.. Cramer been a stranger to instead of
relation of the president, his appointment would
have been sooner and easier accomplished, for
from the first unparalleled strife for Office, in
situations against the appointing power were
almost daily made, as favoring unit relations
in luXtapOsiton 10 capable and competent
strangers, whereas the contrary has been proved
so often and the entire list of relative appointees
can be given any day you have space in your
columns for it, that it were labor wasted to at
tempt it in this article. The presidents appoint
ment of Mr. Cramer TO his office was the direct
result OF the regular course pursued in such
cases, and made upon proper data of more than
ordinary merit and influence. The petitions in
the state department set forth the following
facts, known personally by your correspondent:
Good and liberal education, he being regular
graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan university at
Delaware; also, the continued close application
to study, with satisfactory progress. He was
often requested TO serve as class examiner in
Latin, Greek, German and French, the higher
mathematics, the sciences, and acquitted him
SELF most creditably before many competent wit
nesses
His character was always unimpeachable, and,
as minister of the Methodist Episcopal church
has been critically passed upon and approved by
ms 1.-THE CineinnatiD annual conference, each
year. In corresponding with the state depart
ment he could be recommended as lucid, care
full, dispassOnate writer, having had much ex-
perience in writing for the press and in general
composition.
Uniform, courteous department, and strictly
temperate habits, with close application for any
work to be done.
Having Travelled much in Europe and occu-
pied consular position there, he would bring
such experience 10 his task as would naturally
accrue to the good of our government.
3. Since his appointment, and more recently
especially, transatlantic kilograms and home
made paragraphs have abounded as follows
That he had been ordered to cease reading paper
on the Catacazy difficulty in the German minis
teTS house at a diplomatic dinner party in Co
penhagen, Denmark. That the Russian govern
ment had sent a circular note" to the Berlin
government on the subject. That he had re-
sorted to beer gardens, public places of amuse-
ment, drank TO excess, and conducted himself
in an offensive manner; talked about the Ger
man wars of 1864, 1866 and 1870 to the detr-
ment of the Danish troops and government
&c, &c. That he associated exclusively with
low, base, uneducated people, was ignored by
the dplomates of other nations. That the Dan
lsh government had demanded or desired his
recall. That his wife had appeared in such
magnifcence as to vie with queens aud duchess
ses at state parties and receptions, proving con-
clusiyey thereby that he had been in some ring
somewhere and obtained the means TO be extra
VACANT in dress in his household-he, the poor
ignorant Methodist minister! Other things
have been said, written and telegraphed which,
no doubt will in due time cost somebody more
than the price of even transatlantic dispatches
but these we leave for the present. Defamation
OF private character is very serious thing even
in the midst of political strife.
THE ANSWER TO THE ABOVE.
letter is before your correspondent from a
very reliable source, dated Copenhagen, Den
mark, March 25th, 1872, from which we quote:
United States Minister Cramer never said or
read a word about the Calacazy affair to the
Russian minister here. The German minister
distinctly denies that such proceedings ever oc-
CURED at his house at dinner, as has been re-
ported and circulated. Nor has the Russian
| government ever sent a Circular note to the
| Berlin government on the subject. These are
all untounded and malicious reports invented
and gotten up for the purpose OF inuring both
the president and Minister Cramer, intending
also TO revenge the CatacaLy conduct and the re-
quest for his recall. Neither is there any truth
as to the report of the dissatisfaction of the Dam
ish government with Mr.. Cramer; the Danish
minister for foreign affairs at a recent reception
branded it as falsehood. The United States
minister associates with the best people, never
has been seen or heard of in improper places,
and his habits are the very best. On public oc-
casons, parties, receptions, etc. all honor is paid
him and Mrs. Cramer, and their dress is tasteful
and in perfect harmony with their means and
station. Both are discreet and silent on all pub
lie and International affairs" Much more
might be written most favorable to tins estima-
bic family, but at present let tn suffice.
THE MOTIVE OF WRITING
this brief defense is simply one of humanity
Holding no office nor wanting any either for
myself or any relation or friend, with no polit-
cal aspirations, not having even interested nv
self especially in behalf of any one eX-
cepting the subject of this article, and in his
case being fully satisfied, and feeling so now,
that the right man was being sent to the right
place Time will prove or disprove everything.
Is 1t not time that the American press so power
full for good or evil, should pause before pub
hshlng deiamatOry matter against even political
opponentsF And will ii not be well to institute
some inquiry as to who is the responsible party
that controls the associated press dispatches in
Europe, and not permit him with impunity to
ruin the character Of our representative minis
tiers abroad, whose children may only inherit
the character their parents leave them?
o. II, w.