New-York tribune., 1880-02-07
LETTER FROM DIR. POTTER.
Is Mr.. CowLEY 4 YICTM-A REQUEST THAT JUDO
MINT SHOULD BIZ WITHHELD.

IS MR.. COwLEY 4 YICTIM-A REQUEST THAT JUDO
MINT SHOULD BE WITHHELD.
To the EdftOr Of The Tribune.
SfG In the course of some quite unprecedented
remarks made at the Academy OF Design on Tues
day evening last on the occasion of an exhibition
of plans for improved sohoohouses, SAID that re
cent events would indicate that some provision for
the better education of shepherds was quite as
important as improved sheep-folds for the
sheep and lambsD In this remark / had.
of course, the Rev. Mr.. COwley in mind,
and my observation was, in effect, a jndg-
ment upon his case. What was said was little more
than passing aIluson. but it was an allusion
which reflected upon Mr.. Cowley, and as such de-
sire to express my regret for it, have no certain
knowledge of Mr. Cowley's guilt or innocence, and
had no right to declare to intimate that he was
guilty until his guilt had been proved. There is
rule which obtains elsewhere than among clergy
men, and which declares that :" it is unfair to hit
man when he is down" ought To be unwilling even
to have seemed to do so, and should be ashamed
Of myself if | could for one moment leave unre'
tracted any word which conveyed needless and
improved reflection upon Mr.. Cowley's character.
should have asked the privilege of your columns
TO say thus much in any event; but am moved the
more strongly to say 1t now, because, within the
past twenty-four hours. facts have come to my
knowledge mot through any agency of Mr.. Cow
ey's) which seem tomake II probable that Mr. Cow
ley's case has been somewhat hastily prejudged.
have no personal knowledge of Mr.. Conveys
work, but there are those who have, and have had
for many years. and they are persons whose testi-
mouy is entirely worthy Of respect and confidence.
These persons stand ready to testify to personal
knowledge Of Mr. Cowey's charitable methods and
administrations. aud 10 the kindlness and honesty
of his character. They believe that Mr. Cowley IS
the victim of nntrustworhy testimony (as the tes-
timOny of children in such IS very apt to bel
and of adverse circumstances. They affirm that,
when the Shepherds Fold was closed, Mr..
Cowley was on the eve of winning the
suit which decided his right TO large sum of money
and TO the possession in behalf OF the institution of
which he has had charge Of the title of The
Shepherds Fold" They arc confident that the
charges of cruelty and neglect which nave been
urged against Mr.. Cowley are capable OF satlstac-
tory explanation and n Is their conviction that,
when the history OF the Shepherds Fold shall have
been thoroughly Investigated, IT will demonstrate
not Mr.. COwley's guilt, but his innocence.
on these points | am not competent to express an
opinion, but II cannot be UNREASONABLE 10 ask that
Mr.. Cowey shall have an impartial hearing before
the public and ialr trial IN the courts. lie Is, II
would seem person wth singular facility OF get
ting into hot water. and TINS OF alternating hls
friends. But one may be impulsiye, lmpracucahle,
dOmineeringIn IN boards of management, ana ODsti-
nate in dealing with cO-tustecs, without being nec-
and manly nature will prefer TO bOpe that MIR. Cow
leg may be proved 90 be neither the 0nr nor the
other htNk1 u Iolltlt'
No sOi B,oadroy, Feb. 6, 1880.