Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-02-02
Letter from Washington,
wAsHISoroS, D. c., Jan. 18th, 1878.
Nessrs. Eiifors Ffee Pre,s.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. Jan. 18th, 1878.
Nessrs. Editors Free Press:
Il Is the fate Of all public men to receive a
quantun Of praise aud censure alternately
whether legi,imatsly entitled thereto or not
The praise offered. where merit has no foot
hold is cleyer indeed, always, and perhaps
highly beneficial generally to society as It be-
gets iu the bosoms Of many those feelings oil
knjness sLd respect which no man. however
obecure in his relations 10 the public, desires
TO ignore or forget,
Recently the public. especially that portion
Of it belonging within the Jurisdiction oi
West Virginia, have been treated to hash OIL
eensure, nay, to q malicious budget Of slam
derous epithets and denupcatio9s appearing
10 the editorial column Of the Parkersburs
Nv. Val Sentinel in relation to the services
and conduct of Senator Hereford on recent
occasion in the U. S. Senate on the Silver
Bill which. although well understood here
aud elsewhere throughout the ecountry a. bold,
honest and positive effort, may to some eA-
tept among some of the constituency OF W.
Va be incorrectly apprehended or appreciated
as a consequence Of reading the denunciatory
epithets appearing against him in the columns
OF the paper alluded TO. 1t is 10 dissipate aud
undeceivs such readers, il any are to be found,
Of any aud all false impressions derived from
shst source 10 regard TO the official, whose
good name has been aspersed, that no.lce Is
now taken and for none other. as Senator IL.
can for while endure the vaporine OF the
edito, Of that j,urnal, while he persisteutly
pursues line Of duty pointing directly TO the
rigid maintenance Of the public interests as a
legislator, in which light he now stands er-
cephondbly marked. with bis compeers in the
United States Senate.
In the issue Of that Journal 90 the l4,h OF
Dec. last, it was charged that Mr.. H. acted
with gross stupidity or ignorance while mem
Der OF the House Of Representatives, IN us
vote on the Substitute bill, which WAS SNUG
ged through the House by the Republican
majority withou. reading. when demanded
by such men as n. G. Kerr, and others Of
like standing for integrity and honesty. te-
cause be was compelled to vote 10 the dark
This was the fate of many democrats on
that floor, who were misled 10 their votes by
the assurances Of Mr.. Hooper. Of Mass. Chair
man Of the Committee which had il 10 charge,
that it was a correct transcript Of the original
bill in everything relating to the paying OF
government bonds 10 then the acknowledged
currency gold and silver Of the country
Each aud every one Of the members Of the
House SO dcproved have since done amply
fruits meet for repentance. aud are
now valiantly battling for the right with most
signal and telling effect before the people Of
the country 10 the passage ofthe Act demon
etizing Silver, the imputation has never been
made in any quarter or section OF the country,
that the democratic minority acted other than
10 strict honesty and good faith. and that if
votes were improperly given for the bill. and
10 derogation TO their own deliberate and firm
~ established judgmep,s-it was because ct
the tyranny Of the dominant party 10 the
House Of Representatives. IL is somewhat
surprising at thislate day that the Senfindmsn.
claiming 10 be a democrat, and deriving his
support from that source, should wantonly at
tack Mr. II. singly and alone Tor a supposed Of
fence. which il even guilty Of. and out OF in-
discretion only, was chargesble TO the whole
representation alike Of the Democratic party
throughout the country. Under the circum-
stances that surround the case, 40 intelligent
and charitable conclusion must be arrived at
10 favor Of Mr.. Ii. in the part be acted in the
whole drama.
In conclusion. utterauce will only be given
TO one other view Of this subject-namcly. that
the unsuccessful efforts Of the editors friend
for the position gained by Mr.. II. may bave
had mucs TO do in prompting the unwsrrant-
sble as we'll as untruthful statements 10 the
Sentinel and as a complete vindication Of what
has been here written, reference is had to tho
speech made by Senator II. in the Senate OF
the United States. Dec. IL. 1877, the reading
Of which will effectively divett any fair think
er of all prejudices nculcated by the Par
kersburg Sentinel. So mote 10 be.