The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-04-24

Anna Dickinson sends the following letter
to the Herald: Through the personally
friendly columns Of the New York Herald |
say to John Stetson, in answer to the accu-
salion of me, that l had ample reason, in law,
justice. and common sense, for my action in
refusing to appear at the Chestnut street
opera house. Philadelphia, on the evening of
the 18th of April, MS per contract; that he
knows those reasons in part though my tel.
grams Of the ID OF April, ten days previous,
in part through his own guilty consciousness
of some very shabby proceedings no WAS at
tho time countensncing, with intent to
spring them on me when | would be power
lees to escape consequences SO soon as ne
is ready TO bring his threatening suit against
me will be ready with what here declare.
and with II the proof, also, Of defamation of
character and shameless ialsehood in his
card to the public To the public do not
appeal; let the courts decide, refuse TO
follow his lead by making tho newspapers
the arena of the contest. refuse to fight in
such wise a man whose weapons arc the
naked fists of bullying and lying. / refuse
interviews and statements now, AS l have,
again again, refused them almost inlolersble
provocation throuS past, because my ex.
perience of the last live years has taught me
that it is enough for the public to know
am engaged In any controversy to insure for
m; antagonist praise, for me condemnation.
am conscious that no American living has
more Justly earned tho right of respectful
consideration by her countrymen and women
have teen absolutely condemned without
sight and without knowledge in all have at.
tempted for years, because by this attempt
have dared TO do In my own person and
for myself what have throughout all my life,
since was a girl of &c. done in behalf OF
others-face, with bravado, but unilinching.
ly, that most mercless of tyranny, the COM
pound Of public ignorance and public intol.
erance known rs public opinion. For five
years have said 10 1t, Forget my past AZ d
look at my present work and Judge II for
itself alone have been answered: NO,
will never SEQ tho artist nor the art, since |
will hold an opaque or u distorted glass
labelled Anna Dickinson bo.ween my eyes
and all you may attempt to do" II Is my
misfortune to have won great fame since |
have not with great fortune no idle nature.
Politics and place dsbarred, the lyceum
platform crumbled TO dust, inclination aud
ability leading mo to homely race and bit.
ter necessity squirting mo on. have tried
to do what Nm unknown woman has been
fully accorded opportunity to do, and have
been constantly confronted with tho words,
even In his last attempt, "You cannot come
into this theatre or secure this engagement
or command suitable presentation of
yourself and your work. Why Because
you are incapable. No! Because we lack
confidence in your ability Mol Because
you arc not rich enough TO do tho thing
alone, We will take no risk, since
though we believe you can do il,
tho American public has decided Il don't
want you 10 do II, and tho msjori,y Of tho
American newspapers stand ready, whatever
you accomplish, 10 cry you down. Further,
whom any brain.wcrk Of yours comes 10 our
boards al tho hands Of q so-called artist
whose vanity refuses your presence At 10.
hearsals, whose ignorance butchers aud
mAngles your play almost past recognition.
whose moanness lies about you, and whose
dishonesty holds the property Of your manu-
script and 81, 600 Of your painful earned
| money, while not even pretending they are
no, your due, DO grateful that even such a
show WAS the acknowledged success, no
matter how sho has become success. On
the inside Of the ring who will DO sustained
Not you and your Just cause whom we help
TO keep outside Of Il. Don't you make any
mistake. the public will see II Ia tho samo
light II 10 my mistortune 10 have loved my
country with love 10 absolute that II has