The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-07-23
&efaltitratin1s.
A Shabby RecantatiOn.

A Shabby RecantatiOn.
Some weeks since the editor Of the
Farmers Union charged us squarely
with having been ssbribed'' by the Has
tings & Dakota Railroad Company. This
was done to impair our influence with
the people; and done in the interest
of the Monopolists.
Our attorney, Hon. Seagrave Smith Of
Hastings, wrote Mr.. Abernethy that
unless he retracted the charge we would
commence a suit for damages against
him, and thus afford him an opportu-
nifty to prove his SANDER or prove him
self slanderer. In the last number Of
the Union, July 18th, he retracts in the
following manner:
"We will say in this connection that We
received letter from Mr.. Donnelly's lawyer
some time since informing US that Mr.. DIS
character had been injured by statements
made in the Union to the extent of 5000
| worth, and that unless public acknowledge
ment was made that we had sinned, suit
would be commenced forthwith for that
amount. Perhaps .re did speak unadrisedly
about the Hastings and Dakota Railroad
matter, as zoe k.so1D nothing Of it only ar1sdt
came out in the St. Paul Press last 10inter.
The charges against Mr.; Donnelly he got re-
ferred to a committee Of which he was chair
man, and an attempted explanation was
made, which, however, was never very sat
isfactory to the public"
/ This is perfectly Abernethian. eve
did speak unadvisedly.'' That is, we
made charge without one iota Of
proof, involving the honor and reputa-
ton of fellow man and brother Gran
ger. We charged him with taking a
bride, and after consuming two or three
weeks in trying to find something to
sustain the charge, we confess that we
spoke ''unadvisedly.'
eve know nothing of it only what
came out in the St. Paul Press, last
winter
| Why the St. Paul Press published a
letter from Ste phen Gardner, L. S. Fol-
lett, and others, Directors of the road.
Republicans and leading citizens Of
Hastings, showing that the charge was
baseless lie, without the slightest
foundation, and complimenting US in the
highest terms for our honesty and
fidelity, in and out Of Congress. Mr.
Gardner and Mr.. Follett were respect
: lively President and Cashier of the First
National Bank, and they refer in that
letter to their knowledge of our per
sonal and pecuniary affairs, and that il
was evident we had acted with stric,
: economy during our six years servic'
in Congress.
: This ''came out in the Press last win
ter this was unimpeachable Republi
can testimony; it was never denied o.
ever answered; and yet Abernethy say
he based his SANDER upon what s'cam
]. out in the Press last winter
But while thus, in his own fashion
S recanting his lie and retreating with hi
t head down. he spits at us another of tn
coprolites of the St. Paul Press:
i 1.-The charges against Mr.. Donnell,
i he got referred to committee Of whicl
:. he was chairman.
Now what are the undisputable fact
:. in the case! We were chairman Of
:. committee to investigate sale of schoo
e lands upon an Indian reservation in thi
# State. and among other witnesses "
l. called upon two gentleman, honored an
r prominent citizens Of Minneapolis, b
e the name of Bassett. to testify as to til
a extent and value Of the pine timber upo
;. that reservation. The St. Paul Pres
was wrought to pitch Of savage de:
d peration by the Investigation. and in il
4 rage it suggested that if Ar. Danie
: Bassett came before the committe agai
r the committee should ask him about
0 certain l.5OO which it alleged he ha
n paid us, for some corrupt purpose
j. connection with some Indian treaty.
: We took the bull by the horns. an
G on this suggestion recalled Mr.. Bassett
l. notified Mr.. Wheelock to be present
|. and, when Ar. Bassett appeared. re
: quested our political opponent, Senate
= Child, to examine him closely, and d
# rected the photographic reporter t
i take down his answers. This was done
t and Mr.. Bassett swore point-blank tina
S he had never paid us $500, or an
: other sum; had never promised to pa
S it; had never been asked by US to pa.
e him anything; and had never known 9
our having asked or received one cen
from anybody for any corrupt purpose
How did the Press answer this 1t
e legs were taken completely from unde
It it. We had followed its own suggestion
IS and called the witness it had indicated
e and out of his own mouth we had prove
l. Wheelock an unmitigated liar. Wa
: Wheelock abashed! Did he go AM
, drown himself! Did he even blush
d Not bit of it. He came out next da,
IA end cold noDrol1v had hpeD invaStIra