Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-04-16

The Apology he 'tas 10 Offer ior ria
Mords and Actions.


After tte very emphatic expression al pub
he opinion al I.aoe's Hall Tuesday esenins,
senatos ourtiss has come 10 fesi the sdsisa
bilIty Of paying some attention 10 the indis-
nation which has filled this cifs sineS Sun
dag. DE accordingly retnrned from Lansing
snd pahiished IA lasi evenings papers the
following card. which THs Tn-kagAA GLADLY
reproduoess
10 fhs Pablie. Ia respectful respense 90
the angry Koles of last nights meeting.
proposs 80 submit feiis statement Of nay
words, aets and al shat there ls M my heart
IN regard 10 the matter for which | have
been oeAsarod unAeard.
ON the resolution condoling with Gen.
Grant neither yotsd yes or no. thus acted
because the resolution was submitted bg a
man, Is ! understood IL. who Il more noted
for psrtisanism than for patriotism. and 1
beilse lis design was "a gain VOTES Tor the
Republican State ticket against MAJOR Morse,
who, armed soldier that he is was then
being ouirageously slandered and abused ID
the very men SO sympathetic over Gen. Grant.
| was impressed with the belief that the sor-
row for Grant was opportunely ana ostfn-
tatioasly paraded- for political effect and 1
refused 90 be party 90 q move thus prompt
ed. Ia this did not mean "a refuse the et-
preston of my sympathy with Gen. Grant.
| have a. sincere sympsths for ham ar per
haps any Senator who voted for the resolu-
ton, but ! simply declined Ia express II in
the way and time demanded Of me by hay
political enemies.
The quitting OF the senate chamber while
prayer was being offered II not very un-
usual thing for Senator. / did so because
the minister had dlsgusted me with the ex
tent aud matter of his prayers for Gen
Grant. IL seemed 90 nlc be was courtlng
applause from the Senate for himself rather
than blessing for Gen. Grant from heaven.
1 was honest with myself and acted iDv
pulsiyely from dislike OF numbuggery. J.,
however, desire 10 say most explicitly that
regret that action 5eca,sse i am made 10 ap-
pear a. refusing 20 hear prayers for Gen.
Grant when l really only Intended 10 ex-
press my contempt for the preacher. /
heartily join with all sincere people in
prayers for Gen. Grants restoration 20
health, and will gs honestly mourn his
death, at this time of has life, az any of
those who are prosecuting ne with the force
of fslseiy awakened prejudice for a party
advantage.
/ am entirely misunderstood as 10 ghat
sa,d regarding the flag on the capitol when
at half mast for Gen. Grant. ] have no in
tention 10 abseut myself al that time should
il come during my term as a senator. The
exact character of my offending Is this; Al
the time of this talk | was quite constantly
engaged by political opponents IN political
badinage relating 20 the contest between
Judge Cooley and Major Morse. and my
words were used without thought or feeling
as part OF such political chat and We're pro-
yoked by ianguags equally as unjustlfiaile
applied 10 MAJOR Morse, and il IL hardly just
to let my words stand for such very differ
ent meaning than was actually intended.
i sincerely regret an impression that could
be taken as alleged against me, and with this
statement | disavow such expression in de
ference 10 the patriotic people ! represent
and the promptings Of my own heart az well.
| shall not lay down my offices. shall not
leave this city. def any one 10 truthfnlly
say my life has not been patriotic and hon
est, or that as a citizen. / have not been
among the foremost according 10 my means
and ability in helping build up here a beau
tiful city of good an intelligent people. am
filed with the same desires still. My imper-
fections and weaknesses | confess and with
an unimpeached honesty ] have right 20
ask the indulgence of just and liberal heart
ed men. To all such make my appeal with
confidence that will receive generous re
sponse. JoHs l.. CUKIIss.
Grand Rapids, April 10.