The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-06
Two Easy Questions and a Hard One.
information about Deacon RICHARD SMITH
Of the Cincinnati Gazette. Here is the first

We are In receipt OF three notes asking for
information about Deacon RICHARD SMITH
OF the Cincinnati Gazette. Here is the first
HAving lately arrived in this country from England
am indebted 90 THE sus which constantly read Tor
Information on many subjects with many Of the names
nuoned In your valuable paper have long been IA
mihar. but with that of Deacon RicHAKD sHirn al
most totally unacquanted. VIII YOU therefore. kindly
tell me who this truly good and with what special
acts Of benovolence philanthropy he has idenuhed
himself to have earned such a repu.auon''
The fact that this correspondent has re-
Gently arrived in America Is the only valid
excuse that could be offered for his ignorance
respecting one Of the most interesting pho
nomenons OF the age. Deacon RICHARD
SMITHS true goodness is known to every
man, woman, and rational child In the
United States and is admired by all save
those who, by reason OF their own de-
praVity, are inclined TO sympathize with
the wicked partners. That Deacon RICHARD
Smiths fame has not yet penetrated TO
every part OF England is probat due 10
the naughty Saxon's jealous injustice
toward the Celt-Deacon RICHARD SMITH
being Of Irish birth and ancestry. To the
question which our English correspondent
asks, 1t is only necessary to reply that
Deacon RICHARD SMITHS mere existence is
while the shining example OF true goodness
which he affords is philanthropy OF the
noblest and rarest sort.
Our second correspondent is not an Eng
lishman, but Westerner. He writes from
Lemont, ILL.,, as follows:
The many references to Deacon RICHARD sSrn which
have In THE sus during the past two years have
satisfied to his true goodness and moral worth but
cannot remember having read OF any circumstance
sufficiently explicit to warrant the charge OF wickedness
continually brought against his partners Please explain
why believe them to be wicked. ami why. II they
wicked, truly good continues business relations
with then.h
The most cursory examination Of almost
any issue Of the Cincinnati Gazette discovers
articles, paragraphs, and items which are
obviously inspired by unusual depravity,
and written by a reckless and INSCRIPTIONS
hand. For long time the enemies Of true
goodness pretended to recognize in these
articles, paragraphs, and items the style
and sentiments Of Deacon RICHARD SMITH
himself; and that truly good man was the
innocent victim OF injustice until the
investigations of THE SUN proved that
the wicked parts OF the Gdscte were
written by S. ROMEO REED, the hercdi-
tary pirate KIDD, or KYD, and other
partners Of Deacon RICHARD SMITH, late
at night, after he had gone home TO bed.
This startling discovery at once cleared
the truly good reputation of Deacon RICH
ARD SMITH from all aspersons and it sufil-
GENTLY revealed the true character of his
partners to consgn their names to Disgrace.
Besides this systematic Misrepresentation
Of Deacon RICHARD SMITH through the col
umns OF his own newspaper, the wicked
partners have developed their depravity in
many other ways, They personate their
chief in barrooms, corner saloons, and at
variety shows OF doubtful character. They
run up large scores in his name at the
dear lager beer shops Of Cincinnati,
and thrust him into false positions,
wholly incompatible with his reputation as
a truly good man and an eloquent lecturer
before Young Mems Christian Associations.
Seven years ago they priod open his desk
with chsel, or some other utensil, and alb
stracted thercfrom several thousand dollars
OF campaign money intrustcd TO his keep
ing because he was known TO be a truly good
man and incapable Of embezzlement. The
wicked partners spent the money In riotous
living while Deacon RICHARD was obliged
to explain its disappearance as best he could.
They forged his namo to letter TO Henry
ID. COOKE proposing to sell the Gazettes in
huence to the Northern Pacific Railroad for