The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-24
Preparations in Progress for
the Duel.
THE STATEMENT OF BOOTH.
How It Was Received, Read and
Destroyed.
GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCH Is.


Tho friends Of Congressman Acklen, OF Louisiana.
have prepared statement with reference 10 The
cent extensively circulated reports rejecting seri-
ously upon the good character oil gentleman and
giving version OF the widely discussed affair in tho
following card addressed TO the editor or the Wash
ington Post
An affair which occurred ono evening last week.
involving tue name and reputc OF Hon. j. ii. Acklen,
OF Louisiana anu lady oil prominence IN tho society
OF New YORK CITY aud Washington, mas been SO dis.
cried aud mi,reprcscntcd by reports circulated from
mouth to mouth ana unaily published IN the Leading
Journals Of the country that the friends OF tho parties
most directly concerned deem IL proper TO mako the
following statement OF lncts:-
Without gong into tho details OF time, place and
Circumstance, touching tho affair scf II suthces TO
say that there was nothing IN the conduct u Mr..
AcKIen TO warrant tue inicrenccs winch have been
drawn by tho public ana countenanccd by the press,
10 anord sufficient Foundation for tho verbal re-
ports originally spread abroad upon the authority
OF tho person who claimed 10 have been tho hero
Of the Intrusion and discovery, called. Beyond
this II Is TO be stated that the oil Mr. Acken
Was not such as 10 Withdraw from HIM either tn
dcnce or esteem OF the lady III tho case, whose sub
scquent behavior toward him, as may be verified
upon the most reputable authority was not that
which would natural TO u vicGm OF an indienlty TO-
ward tho author Of the wrong. In short, the whole
story, as oruited and as printed. Is OF tho mos.
unqualinedly sensational and unwarranted char.
acter. There has been and now is but
ono issue In the premises, and that
an issue OF personal and private character be-
tween Mr.. Acklen ana General Rosser. who nave both
left the city Tor their respective homes to arrange
their u1dirS sucn determination OF tho
tween them as their views OF tho responsibility Of
mon another--which do not need aescr ipt,on-
would soem 10 indicate. Under these circumstances,
and especially IN WOW or the fret that Mr. Acken il
fully sustained aud his OF affair fully cor
roborated by the lady who Is the alleged viciim Of
tho reported indignlty ~ would entirely propcr
Tor Tho public and he press the violent and
judgment winch has been pass,d upon tho
strength VI unite nube nces and to leave the
conclusion OF tho matter where IL properly bclonge
10 wit, between hr AckleD, who undertakes 10 de-
fcnd tho honor of his companion ana OF himself, and
Enn. al hp Am, Arot i,t.
second as the assainnt IL Is not necessary specify
the methods by which tho ono party proposes
TO defend himself and hts companion Is requi
site TO state tho exact manner IN which the other
party became an intruder and an assaiaut IL suices
10 cay that the charge Of violence and indanty upon
tho part oil Mr. Acken caunot be sustained, nor can
the inference OF suffering and wrong endured upon
the part Of The lady DO maintained. Tho
scandal OF distorted aud exaggerated publicity
has had the effect OF Fastening. perhaps, an
event which would havo taken place under any CTR
canstances. which should not permitted 10 be
coudod with dishonor by the malevolsnce OF enemies
or the frivoty OF thoughtess gossips. IL 10 TO he
hoped that this explanation, which Is as pointed
plain as the dclicacy OF tho subject matter WIN dmt
Of, will remove the imputstous und reute the IN
forences that have been formed hastily
should have that elect. for II Is authoritative and
covers the wishes OF both the parties principal 10 tho
original affair.
Tho lost. In . lengthy article referring 10 tho
varonsiy reported circumstances OF tho case. says
Mr. Ackcn's friends .caim that, being reported TO bo
y.
has been made tho victim Of carefully planned do
sign, and, unfortunately through General Rosser's
Incorporate z,ai and garrulousness, has boon pu,
ut terrible disadvantage. They assert, and We
might, II It were necessary, give tho best namos
to sustain It, TIM, Mr. AcKicn has hurried to Louisi
arrange his affairs and that soon as he gets
there his TREND who Is we'll known dueiist, will at
once notify General kosser TO name somo gen teman
to represent him, with a view to settlement accord
Ing to the strict code. The LADY, Mr.. Acklcn admits
TO have seriously compromised. and processes his
willingness TO make her tho only reparaton IN his
power. That there facts yet brought light and
which may never be made public, tnat will materially
aid in turning tho tide OF sympathy In a different
direction, Is undoubtedly true In the first place. II
Is not probable that q man Weighing not moro than
l40 pounds, which Is probably In excess OF Mr. Ack-
lens weight, could successfully assail a woman OF
much stronger physique and robust health. In tho
next place, there De doubt that the two navc
been amcaby associated together since the Tues
day night occurrence. Ackcn has probably arrived
at New Orleans by this time, and viii doubtless make
his statement In the newspapers there. Ho ayoung
man, OF air abilities ana attractive personal appoar
ancc. II rs mistake TO say that no Is ioppish. 1t
would DO nearer the truth say that he Is always ole
CAVITY dressed He IL not stranger to ducis having
brought down his man tho sangunary field, and
having, beside that, as principal boon engaged 10
number accessory. He is also reported to be
crack shot,
cAsAY YOUNG, OF TENNESSEE on THE POTTER
INVESTIGATORS.
The speech OF Casey Young OF Tennessee, on the
Potter investigation, which appears the Record OF
Thursday. maintains that the majority OF members
opposed Mr.. Pottcrs resolution rs originally pro-
sentcd because It contained no declaration that It
not proposed TO undo tho work Of
tho Electoral Commission. and that they DID
not give II their support until the assur-
was explicitly gwen upon the floor OF
the House that the judiciary Committee would pre-
sent report and resolution declaring that tho Prcsi
Dental lido was not 10 DO intcrfcrcd with lilo de-
tends inveslgation itself Tor the POI pose dts
covering and exposing any frauds that nay have
been perpelraied In tho Presidential cleo
tioD, and declares Il TO DO tho duty Of Congress
10 make an inquiry for that purpose, claiming
that no dangers to pubic peace ana tranquil
Ivy are contcm plated. and that none can result
from the investigators, ana charges tha. the alarm
expressed by republican politicians not real. but
only simulated for party purposes. lilo doonds the
South and southern Conzrcssmen against Tho charge
Of q purpose TO revolulionszc or "Mcxicanizeu tho
government, saying that II they had desired 10 do
this the opportunity was presented during tho time
of tho electoral coun bat that, instead Of fomentng
STRIFE they stood nrmy by tho constitution, the laws
and peace Of the country, and saved the govern
ment iron overthrow and destruction.
THE xpESsEs OF THE LOUISIANA COMMITS
sIoN--GovERNoR Drown INSISTS ON PAYING.
Ex-Governor John e. Brown before leaving Wash.
ington responded to tho letter Of Secretary sherman
returning the draft forwarded TO the department In
pay mcnl Of his (Mr Brown) share OF tho louisiana
commission expenses, again enclosing tho drait,
which no says no feels constrained to do from a
sense OF duty TO himself and to the parties who
liable Tor the amouot expended. The bcIicf Is cx.
pressed shat the Secretary will retain tho chccx ana
await future action concerning the payment OF ex-
penses incurred account Of the Louisiana commits
sion.
THE STATEMENT OF JOHN WILKES BoorH--
ISTsRvIEw WITH JOHN y. coYLE-AS TO-
QURNr DEFENCE By THE ASSASSIN or MS
ACT.