The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-05-15
THE CINCINNATI MEETING
Hon. George w. Williams Reply to
Mr.. Clarke.

EDITOR LEADER: Gentlemen-During my
absence in the South, the card l wrote to
the Cincinnati Commercial, explanatory
OF my position on my cemetery bill, ap-
peared in the columns of your estimable
journal with an able and Just editorial.
Please accept, at this late date, my SINGER
est thanks for your words of defense. In
subsequent impression of the Leader
find very bitter and unmanly attack upon
myself from Peter H. Clarke.
For reckless assertions, vituperative
wrath and downright black-guardism, it
excels anything / have seen lately from
any man claiming to be educated or a
member of decent society. But Mr.. Clarke
has always distinguished himself by the
indecency of his expressions in all contro-
versies.
1 have explained my position once, and
shall not occupy your valuable space to re-
citerate. l was honest at last
Mr.. Clarke lies when he says 'sneaked
through the city" and went to Washing
ton to allow the storm to blow over"
Men who know me know that l never
sneak. l am the equal of Peter Clarke or
any other man in Cincinnati in moral or
physical courage, and il he has doubts he
is at liberty to test me at anytime. / can
return the compliment to Mr.. Clarke when
he says he "was always my friend up to
this time" l have stood between
him and his public enemies on many
occasions. l have before me now a letter
from him, in which he warmly praises my
conduct in the Legislature, and saws he
''knew / was able to fll the place" Now,
if up to this grave matter he was my
:friend" and supporter, and my character
was above reproach, should he not have de-
manded of me, as friend" some expla-
nation before the meeting? He has lodged
out of ana into the Republican party 80
often that l can't count the times; and his
whole public life is made up of tissue of
inconsistencies. / have never been in but
one party, and, at times reproving it for
its mistaks, have always yielded full
measure of patriotic devotion to it.
Mr.. Graves assumes the role of q liar
again when he says / ever mentioned
what Clarke recites.. He said he was mis-
taken, and regretted he ever referred to
the matter in public.
will be glad to.present Mr.. Clarke with
the first bunch of roses that can be gath
cred from my political grave He may
teach his school children beautiful les
son about the frailty of politicians of their
| race, when surrounded by envious, jeal-
GUS and malignant enemies, who rejoice
at every exhibition of political decay in q
| colored man.
have not sought, nor do l seek, q con.
| troversy with Clarke; but if he desires it
| / think / can accommodate him to his
hearts content. do respect him for biz
labors in the anti-slavery cause, and praise
him for his work in educating our coloret
children; but when he rushes into print
with such matchless foolishness, he loses
his self-respect, if he ever had any, and
should remember that she who uses tn,
sword must perish by the sword"
| When he attacks my veracity, he goe!
to his full length, and / would commenc
him to silence and the study of good man
ners. can produce abundant evidenc,
from men who are at present associates
with him, and documentary evidence from
some of the best white business men o
Cincinnati, that as liar Peter H. Clark,
deserves distinguished recognition.
When Mr.. Clarke bolted the Republican
party, ran for Congress on the labor-ticket
when the people OF Cincinnati we're ours
ing him for proclaiming his wild socialist
doctrines, when church people complain
ed that an Iniedel taught their children
and when, last fall, he got an IAN indef
mite leave of absence" from his LA
Dor party" to get in line as Republican
to the disgust of men who had carried
musket as privates in the party-amid a
his fckleness, / admired his mental gifts
and gave him my hand and support when
ever needed.
Far be it from me to disparage such me-
as Douglass, Brown, Clarke; or such brav
leaders at the South as Pinchback an
, Bruce. All of these men have their faults
J have made mistakes, and in time hav
been roundly abused. But because
young man makes a mistake, the "olde
; leaders should not seek his total destru'
ton. Let him that is without sin cast th
first stone. l never saw the time l W,
too proud to correct mistake. ask ia
treatment. / will have iti have mar
friends left, and Clark will learn this el
long. GEO. w. WILLIAMS