The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-07-03
Diareputable Journalism.


june 20, published, from oae Of lis rspor.
tiers, Mr.E. r Fulton, what purporled ID
be an interview with Ms. Anna TonFy,
wife Of Prof VIM, p. T'oary, Of Baltimore
city, aud daughter Of Mrs. Surratt, who
was executed for alleged completely
with the assassination Of Mr.. Lincoln.
The account Of the interview, as given in
the american, represents Mrs. Tonry as
casting censure upon Gen. Hancock, then
10 command Of the troops at Washington,
for the part be bore in connection with the
execution Of Mrs Surratt. The account
Of the alleged interview published 10 the
Amenean, called forth the following card
from Prof. Toury, published in the S,ta Of
Monday last;
AessFs, Editors ia yesterday 5 Baltimore
AmeTfcan there appeared an article headed
Mrs Snrratt's Death-What Her Daughter
mas 10 Say Of Hancock Connection with IT,
That article was not authorized, Endorsed or
Htfth @tA H1-AsatthA ~ NY wiz UT Ai1ncn.
Mr., Il. p. Fulton, 1.-THE Baltimore Aaefioaa,
called at our house last Thursday p. NJ. Mrs.
fonry refused to give him any statement for
publication, and referred him to me. Later
the same day Mr.. Fulton called again, when
also refused TO give him any statement for
publication. Mr.. Fulton called third time,
the next day, and was third time refused
any item or statement for publication. | did
not talk to him thus unreseryedly on the
question, as is asserted in the article; quite
the contrary. Mr. Fulton has had but these
three interviews with either my wife or nv
selfin which this subject was ever mentioned.
II is not true that said, II rely upon YOU TO
report us correctly" What did say 10 Mr..
Fulton was 81 wish you distinctly 10 under.
stand that you have no right aud are not aa.
thorized to publish anything, one way or the
other, except what | give you over my own
signature. With this statement on my part
the public may believe Just as much Of the
article in the Baltimore American, which il
against Gen. Hancock, or ofthe article in The
New York Horld, of January 5, 1880, which
Is in favor of General Hancock, as NAV be
convenient Both articles are represented as
the result of interviews. In future hope the
gentlemen connected with the press will not
pat themselves to the Inconvenience of calling
either upon me or my wife on fAis subject, nor
do we propose 10 take any notice Of the many
statements that will probably be made by per.
sons who know not Of what they speak.
June q, 1880 WN. p, ToNRY.
A journal that would deliberately falsify,
as ia this case, must lose It's reputation for
truth among all honorable men, aud is
no longer entitled to credence foi the state
ments it makes upon its own responsible
~. The part Gen. Hancock bore, on that
memorable occasion, has been so fully dis
cussed, that it is now thoroughly under
stood by all who wish to understand il,
and Gen. Hancock is SO completely exon.
Grated from all responsibility for the exc
cution Of Mrs. Surratt, that it is not worth
while to advert to the subject again.
Gen. Hancock was in command of the
troops ut Washington, on that occasion,
and had neither part nor lot in the matter,
except to obey the orders Of his superiors,
which, in duty, he was bound to do. The
Rev. J. A. Walter, pastor Of st. Patrick's
Church, Washington, was Mrs. Surratt's
eoufessOr aud spiritual adviser That gen
tlenan published card, written Nov. 18th,
1879, generating Gen. Hancock from any
blame or eensure 10 connection with the
execution of Mrs. Surratt, whatever. The
card Of Father Walker is as follows;
Truth and Justice compel me TO deny the
statement with reference TO Gen. Hancock
participation in the execution OF Mrs. Surrati.
which appeared in the Washington Posi- ofthis
morning ! attended Mrs. Snrratt ON that &c.
easion, and met with no interference on the
part Of Gen. Hancock. Gen. Hancock had
great sympathy for this unfortunate lady, and
waited until the last moment, hoping for
reprieve. consider it an-act Of Justice 10
Gen. Hancock that this statement should be
made j. A. WAITrR
Pastor Of ST. Patriek's Church, Washington.
The card of Father Walter, who was
with Mrs. Suratt in her last moments,
both in prison and upon the scaiTold, puts
forever at rest these false charges against
Gen Hancock, except among those who
would wilfally and deliberately perpetuate
A ftlsahood