The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-09-17
To the Public.

The scurrlous, false, and defamatory caro-
published in yesterdays Hht3 over the sig.
nature of Gan OId-Fashioned Man" re
uuires notice at my hands, because am the
nominee of the Conservative party. and be.
cause it is my duty to see that my friends are
justified 10 the support they have extended
to me.
All such personal issues are to be deplored
and YOU will bear me witness that have IL
no way brought them into this canvass
They are marks Of malice and Of low ma
ture, and they distract public attention from
great questions which press for considers
ton, aud which far override mere feelings Of
hate or i'll will.
The OlG-Fashioncd Man" is following a
very Geld fashion," which was denounced
by the Almighty amid the thunders of Sinai
10 his command Thou shalt not bear false
witness against thy neighhor y; and for fol
lowing which Ananias and Sapphira were
struck dead at the feet of the apostle. The
sold fashion" is as old as sin, and il.Wil
and envy, and malice.
All the statements in the paper referred tc
are false in spirit and false in esserce, and
! the repetition of them does not remove the
responsibility Of originating them.
shall notice them seriahm
In 1869 law was passed authorizing The
appointment of Circu, Judges in the United
Suites courts. Judge Underwood had heen
since 1865 District Judge for Virginia. From
| 1867 to 1865 he had been holding his court
| here almost constantly-certainy eleven
months in the year-aud had rendered him
self so obnoxious to our people that bis very
nanee eXa>perated them. The only persons
who could possibly receive the appointment
were Judge Underwood, Judge Bond, of
Baltimore. and Judge Morton, a military ap.
pointee Of the Federal general in command
to one of our city courts. | knew
Judge Bond web. lie is brave, talented,
sn utre PARTISAN, and knew would execute
the Radical laws of Congress ruthlessly.
How correct my judgment was, witness
the kukIsSi trials in the Carolinas and the ar.
rest and trial Of the Petersburg judges. The
military appointee Of the Federal general
vas inadm;Ssible for reasons perfectly con-
elusive to hy mind. If Judge Underwood
WAS appointed he wouN in substance be re-
moved from ayr people. He would only be
here fortnight, spring and fall, and his ab-
sence would be.a great relief TO the commu-
nifty. AS circuit judge be would sit With the
Che:.Justice, and the law made the opinion
Of tie latter os.errule that of the circuit
Judge In case Of division Of opinion 10 all
except criminal eases. As district judge
be would be s,Gays present, WELD
ing lacge and gEeat powers. AS cir.
cult judge be would only be here twice q
year for q short period, and when here
would be controlled ald overraled by the
Chief.Justtee. He hae been universally
courteous tG members OF the bar, myself TO-
clGded, and have never yet received cour-
low, rich or poor, that haze not returned it
at th. proper tisle in the ppsper manner. l
considered it better for him aad better for our
people that he should be ciseuit judge in'
stead on district Judge, and Eas glad to re-
turn his courtesy ia any proper manner een-
sistent With right and my duty 10 the con-
munity. If | was Instrumental in getting
Judge Underwood away from here | coDsi.
dered that { would lie doing great public
benefit and would crafty all our people.
refused 10 recommend him, Tor had no
communication with the Radical parts, and
did not choose TO have any in any such
manner.
Iwrote private, PERSONAL---VERY. to prirate
Individual, l.. II. Chandler who had been
district attorney, but was then u private
member of the bar, showing that the busi-
1869 was much greater than it had ever
been before, and that Judge Underwood had
slwa.s been "diligent, laborious, prompt.
always courteous to suitors and to the bar"
[ stated that Il differ from him politically
as far as it is possible" and that sit
will not be proper for me TO undertake 10
recommend any action to the Government in
anything" but that II think the interest of
the public require the Government to put
him in the place of circuit judge. His cour-
tesy to myself and sill gentlemen 10 my posi-
ticn. and having my record. has been
marked, and l desire TO show mYapprecia-
ton ofitin every proper manner"
l was sure that the interest o. the public
would be advanced by bis removal from the
place OF district judge to that of Circuit judge,
and j believe the entire community would
have concurred In any effort to remove bin
to any other sphere of action.
Other gentlemen, leading members Of the
bar, signed recommendation 10 the Pfesi-
dent 10 appoint Judge Morton. The CoIser-
valve party of the district bad just voted
'or Hunnicutt for Congress, and the Legis.
allure had passed the amendment to the Con.
'titutioD DISTINGUISHING General Lee and all
Virgnia's great soldiers and statesmen.
They each, in my OPTION, acted WISELY
md periodically in doing the best they could
lnder the circumstances to avert greater
wills, and it will readily be seen that my ac
ion in the premises had the same object and
rond have effected the same end.
The next charge is that wrurg fortune.
y practice In Underwood! court, out If .Le