The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1873-1875, 1874-07-29
"InEAsusY OF THE UNITED STATES,
uWAsHINGrON. March 26, 1874.

"IREAsuRY OF THE UNITED STATES,
"WAsH1NaroN, March 26, 1874.
"DEAR S1R:-Your extraordinary
letter, of the 9th inst, | found in .
large stack that had accumulated dur
ing my absence in Florida, where | had
| been on sick leave. .-"
Your good sister mnst be mistaken
| in the man. She never saw me at San
quot, for have never been there-much
less preached there or anywhere else.
True, my father was minister of the
Reformed Church, my poor dead wife
belonged to the Methodist Episcopal
Church. If I belong to any church it is
an open communion one-one in whose
tempel the whole human family can
worship. My aim through life has been
to do good to men, and I can truly say
that none live that can honestly say,
that they are worse of,for knowing me.
| have never knowingly caused an inno-
cent tear to flow nor done wrong to any
one. During my long official life |
have earnestly. endeavored. to do my
| whole duty to the people and their
Government. If 1 have failed it was
from error of judgment, and not from
| any evil purpose. | have chosen to
remain poor that mig ght leave at least
a good reputation for integrity and an
honest name as an .inheritace for my
children. Whatever l may have said or
done, have never been accused of bav-
! ing done a wrong to fellow-man.
| II bought Mrs. Ames' book, but, as
on account of the pressure of public
business have not read any book
through in the last quarter of a century,
| have not read hers. Hshe says that
swear I shall not deny it, for have
made it q rule never to contradict what
a lady may say. l am not aware that l
know her personally, or that she knows
anything about me or my habits, except
perhaps from hearsay.
"Some years ago the story went the
rounds of the newspapers, which was
probably her text for. the sermon she
preached about me. 1t was to the effect
that after the close of the rebellion, a
| General of the late Confederate army,
called on me, and demanded payment
on q check on the Treasury of the
United States given him before he left
the Union service. Payment was re-
fused by ME on; the ground that his
treason to-. the government that shad
given. },im, has military, education had
cancelled all obligations from the gov
ernment to him. This led to d very
Animated discussion, III the c6hrse OF
swhich;very strong and emphatic lang
uage was used. There happened to be
present at the time gentleman Of the
Presbyterian persuasion, and two ladies,
mother and daughter. who were devout
members Of the Methodist Church; the
two had been driven out of; Richmond
at the beginning Of the rebellio,r for
expressing sentiments loyal to the
Union. During the height of the cere-
mony, and when the loud swearing took
place that Mrs. Ames. speaks zof, the
gentleman appro ached me placed his
hand on my shoulder and approyingly
said: Good for you, my friend, in
dorse every word you ssy,' and the elder
of the two ladies ran in front Of me,
clasped both her hands in mine and
with the greatest earnestness and relig'
] ious zeal cried out: Oh, Mr.. Spinner,
| you know how in. my heart. 1 abhor
swsAring, but declare for it that yours
sounds to me for all the world like
prayers ~
';For ofenses against human govern.