The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-11-01
A CONTINENTAL LIAR,

Mr.. James +. Joy, of Detroit, who has
just returned from Europe, undertook in
a New York paper to deny with emphasis
the public statement OF Henry Ward
Beecher that he had said at a private din.
ner, some years AGO, at which Mr.. Beecher
was guest, that Mr. Blaine, while Speak.
er of the House, offered 10 appoint II 'com.
mittee to suit him Joy If the latter would
purchase of him certain railway bonds
Mr. joys denial is very specific, as follows:
can state with the most absolute Ger.
tainty that | never said in that or any other
conversation with anybody that Mr.. Blaine,
when Speaker, made me an offer or propo
sition directly, or through third person,
that he would appoint committee to suit
me or put man upon that committee such
as wished if would buy Little Rock and
Fort Smith bonds of him at par or other
wise. This is perfectly certain. He never
sent a man 10 me TO make such proposition
at any other time. This will, | think, dis
pose oi'these allegations of Mr.. Beecher.
But il was "cold day" for Mr. Joy
when he allowed himself to pen the above
reckless statement, for II has given Mr..
Beechcr an excuse To come back at him ~
in letter so whitening and crushing that
it will not only pin Mr.. Joy forever as IA
as a rare and unique specimen of denuncia-
tory composition. Following is Mr.. Beech
er's reply:
Brooklyn, Oct 2S.-MR. JoY-Sir: You
said AT your own table before me, that Mr.,
Blaine offered to form committee as you
desired it, provided you would take certain
bonds of him at par. You did lean back
in your chair, put your thumbs into your
vest shoulders, and add, with contempt:
That's the kind of man Blaine is" did
not violate the laws of hospitality in
using the incident | never spoke of it
publicly until your injudicious friend, Gov.
Alger made garbled statement which,
under your denial, made me a false witness.
Then | was justified in self-defense. A
member of Plymouth church, who is
ashamed Of his name, explains, in close
connection with your letter of this morning,
that Mr.. Beecher is known to be very for
getful. Yes, ten thousand things forget,
and ten thousand things remember. | do
both thoroughly, and your statement was
burned into my memory as with fire and
your falsehoOd will, fear, be burned into
your memory as with fire Such effrontery
Is marvellous even in this campaign. Do
you dare look ex.GOv. Baldwin, of Michi-
gan, in the face, who sat next me at your
table, and deny that you made such state
ments? What will he think of you? Do
you dare say that you never made like
statements of Blalne's conduct in the tran
saction alluded TO, to Mr. f. Smith, presi-
dent of the Oregon Transcontinental com
pany? Mr. Charles James and Mr., Knee
land, of the New York Elevated Railroad,
both say that Mr. Smith stated to them that
Mr. Joy made to him like statements. Will
Mr. Smith publicly deny it? Will you de
ny to Mr.. John Harmon, of Detroit, who
was your attorney, and was cOnversant with
the whole matter at the time of Its happen
ing, the correctness of the substance of my
statement? Allow me to ask, by way of
refreshing your memory, whether the
amount which Blaine required was not
nearer $4,000 than 5000? Whether the
Intermediary between Blaine and yourself
was not Subsidy PomerOy," and whether
proper and honest indignation on that coca
sion was not so extreme that you would
have sworn outright had it not been luckily
that you were church member
Mr. Joy, you have told this story too
many times, and to too many people to
have made it prudent to deny it now The
advantage which is expected from your de,
NAL can last but day or two, but the lie
will endure forever II will abide with
you, follow you home, dwell in your mem
DRY, be present in your old age, stand 10y
your coffin, and meet you in Gods judg-
ment day. May He who found way to
forgive lying Peters forgive you, and have
mercy on your soul on that awful day.
HENRY WARD BEECHER.
Uin Nr Conk Please Auswero