The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-16

WHITELAw REID.
The Hon. Abram S. He,1ut, No. o Lexington
duenue, Netc York.
New YORK, November 10. 1880.
Nv Dear Reid am much obliged to
you for the suggestions contained in your
favor OF the 12th instant, and | know that
they spring from Il sincere desire on your
part to relieve me from unjust suspicious
and allie aiOus. But | have already fully
defined my position. | was SubpGnded aS
a witness by both sides in the proceedings
before Judge Davis in reference to the
Morey letter. stated under oath thai
bad never seen or beard Of the MOrey letter
prior to its publication in 1ruth on The 20. h
October. | bad, therefore, 10 connection
Whatever with IT'S origin or It's publication.
The original letter was shown TO me on that
day. There was n0ibin2 in its declarations
70 arouse my Sus piciOnS. On the contrary,
the sentiments expressed appeared to be
in harmony with the views OF General
Garfield prior TO his letter of accept
aDce, when the Morcy letter purpOrted to
have been written. A. to the handwriting
Of the letter itself, il seemed TO me to have
bee0 written by an amanuPGsis. This did
not excite any suspicion, because | knew
bat General Garfield usually employed tie
services OF secretary. Two out OF the
three letters In my possession were signed
but not written by General Garfield. did
not examine the envelope because my at
tenliOn was not drawn TO II, end bad no
reason to doubt the authenticity OF the let.
ter, the signature being, as supposed, that
II General Garfield, and resembling in all
essential particulars the signatures in my
IL \
garded as sufficiently careful reference to
the letter in my speech at Chckering Hall
on that evening, dealing with the seat
ments OF the letter rather than its mere
manual execution. 1 thought then, and |
think now. that l was fully justified in this
course.
NY beltef an the genuinencSS OF the letter
was strengthened by the indirect method OF
the denial first made through a third per-
son. Meanwhile was bitterly assaulted by
the Republican journals, who finally put
me on my defence because did not accept
the later denial OF General Garfield as con.
elusive evidence that the letter was = for
gerry. In a speech made at Irving Hall
gave the reasons why could not accept the
DENIAL OF GeBersl Garfield rs conclusive.
unless corrotoTated by other evidence.
need not repeat those reasons here, but they
were unanSwerable then 10 nv mind, and
they are so still. Let me here remind you
that belief is an involuntary act men be-
lic9e because they must, not because they
WaDt 10 believe.
"a to the later Developments OF the ease,
tkey are all new TO me. know nothing OF
the witnesses who confess that they com
mitted perjury. | have never seen either !
Of them, and | never heard OF them until |
thev appeared as witnesses. II forgery and |
perjury have been committed, trust that |
The offenders will be punished, and ] Will
do ali in my power to Bring them to IA Just |
II the letter is a forgery re-
cret extremely that 1 made any reference
TO It, but it is absurd TO attack man, as |
baye been attacked, for the mere expression
Df an opinion as to the genuneDcss OF sig
nature. | may have been in error, but il
vas an unutentioDal one.
The real grievance, IL there be one,
against me is that am not wili0g to accept
he verbal statement OF General Garfield as
ina evidence. No mans assertions are
.ver taken as final until he is put on the
witness stand aud subjected TO cross eXami-
nation, which experience has shown 10 be
&c only test Of truth even with the most
lonest OF men. The failure TO subject
iener3l Garfield TO this test leaves doubt
yhicb, in view Of the recent testimony in
egatd TO the Mercy letter. would not other
wise exist. ! shall be glad TO have this doubt
emOYed, because wish well to General Gar
eld, whose intellectual powers, as you Know,
admire very much, and 10 whose Admins
ration, II il be as wise, economical, and }
atriotic as ] trust il will be. am prepared
D give hearty support In The XLVlIih
congress. Bur il ii shall be run in the in. ,
crest OF SPECIAL classes, aud for the benefit :
I 4 ring Of Office holders, shall oppose it :
18th such ability as | may be able 10 COM
land. Sincerely sour friend, :
ADRIAN S. HEWITT.
Whuelap Reid, Esq.
7. ;. You are at liberty to make use OF =
lis letter in any way you may see fit.
A. $. III.
Mr.. Hewitt has also published letter .
oioiing out serious errors OF fact in Judge d
ayis's opinion, so far as the same concerns i
im.elf, and in concluding says: :
l fUrbe1r 10 make any commentary what
yer upon the extraordinary character OF
lie opinion pronounced by Judge Davis. n
is enough for me to point out that the L
'undaiion upon which he has built up the y
tack upon my character is false In fact, 7
I'd with this demonstration the conse- u
Iences can only be damaging to himself. .
was prepared for this attack by the evil
Entity prearranged preliminary statement al
Mr.. Stoughton In the Times OF yesterday, Is
which published reply In the Times OF A,
day. and lam now forced 10 believe that y
ere IL concerted scheme TO attempt to 9,
eak me down in this community, where | :
I'VE lived for more than fifty years, and TO
hichsL can more safely trust for lust A
dgmeDt than to Judge Of ibe Supreme "
'urt who f0rgets that when he becomes a "
dye be should cease to be partisan. v
ADRIAN s. HEWITT. - =,
Nec York, November 18th. ~
According to figures received by the Ra- r,