The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-07-25
COL. wuu.rr.s DENIAL.


Col. Ben. l.. Wiley, Republican candi-
date for congress in this district, denying
that he is debt-shirker, that he ran away
from Kirby Smith. and that he was dis
missed from the army for cowardice.
The colonel's denial Of his debt dis
honesties is very carefully made. At this
time, he says. there are only two cases in
which he is security for other men which
has not yet been paid-that he has
the receipt of his friend who was on his
paper showing that he has settled with
him--ihat he had this receipt at the time
he was charged by Page" of Union
county, with 'oeating" one OF his sureties.
1t will be observed that the colonel is
careful to not say that this surety debt
was paid before he was nominated for
congress. Ii is quite probable that. after
he had been nominated. he was threat
ened by has abused friend, and paid the
money in order to escape the Disagree
able consequences. The nomination of
the colonel was lucky event for this
surety of his. The other "two cases in
which was security for other men.
which have not yet been paid" will prob
ably remain unpaid. unless the colonel
is crowded az in the case of my friend
who was on my paper" and whose re-
celpt the colonel now holds, and did
bold az the time Page" inumated
that gentleman by the name of Ben. l..
Wiley had abused the confidence of a
poor fellow who lives somewhere in the
neighborhood OF the home of this rather
slippery granger. Every other citizen
IN Union county" innocently remarks the
colonel. ITO whom ever owed debt.
has been paid one hundred cents on the
dollar and interest, and casts if any were
made" Why restrict this profes sion
OF honesty-which honesty was.
i: appears, compelled by processes in
which costs accrued-why restrict this
profession to Union county: Because.
probably, this rich granger owes money
in other counties and will not pay. We
know he does in this county-that he has
owed little debts in Cairo for twenty-one
years, which debts be does not deny. He
goOd-naturedly laughs at his creditors
when asked for them. He knows he can
escape the payment. and is therefore dis
honest enough TO refuse TO pay. Let the
colonel deny this. We have the proof of
this charge. and can stick il fast to him.
Now the facts are" says the colonel.
that | was never attacked by Kirby
Smiths rebels in Arkansas. and more
over never fled from that or any other
field OF dapger-never had charge
of the Kind preferred against me,
much less was | dismissed from
the service on any such charge"
Again we call attention to the
careful manner in which the colo
mel denies that he was dis
charged from the service. He
declares that he ''never fled from that or
ANY other field OF danger" Why did he
not also say: II was never dismissed
from the service on that or any other
charger He is careful TO not say so.
He seeks to leave the impression that he
was not dismissed from the service tor
any cause, but he does not deny that he
was. He denies that he was dismissed
for cowardice. He falsiiies, by implica-
ton, his record as soldier. Why, being
charged with cowardice and dismissal
from the service, did he not when he de
MED the cowar,iice also deny the dismis.
sal: The colonel was dismissed from
the service. or else he il bad denier OF
serious charge.
We do not wish TO do the colonel in
justice. but we believe this charge.
We acquit him OF running away from
Kirby smith, and Of cowardice. 1t was
the rebel General Writ Adams he did
not run towards. In the operations
around Vicksburg, after the colonel
had been reinstated. on one
occasion his cavalry charged
upon the cavalry OF Writ Adams. The
colonel's men were as brave and as good
as any soldier. in the army. and were
anxious for the fray. He placed himself
at the head Of his troopers, gave the eOnl-
| mand, and at their head made charge.
Before the rebels were reached, Col.
Wiley's horse became fractious, LETT the
head Of the column. and ran into fence
corner. His soldiers swept on In the
| charge. but the colonel could not induce
his horse 70 get out of the fence corner,
aud he lost glorious opportunity 10
cover himself with glory. Two days af-
ter this event lac resigned his commits
sion.
We hope the colonel may be able 10
prove that he was not dismissed from the
army, and that horse Of his did not act
with great cOwardice ia the face Of the
enemy. We wish 10 have an opportunity
10 publish the fact to the world. and We
offer 70 him our columns tor the purpose
Of putting his maIigners 10 shame and
yincieating his good name.
ACARL SCHCR NJ sCANbAL.
| 4 Milwaukee 60 RESPONDENT Of ia