Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-25
"GENTLEMAN AND SOLDIER"
Lady Colin Campbelfs Touching Appeal
for General Buffers Presence at the


Lady Colin Campbelrs Touching Appeal
for General Buffers Presence at the
Trial.
LONDON, December 24.-During the
last two days London society, sat
lated with the details of the Campbell
cause celebre, has been discussing the extra
ordinary rider of the jury regarding Gen
eral Butler. 1t has also been wondering
at his queer conduct in marrying a
great artistic whose first picture, the Grim
can "Roll Call" is seen in every print
shop. He is the author OF a book called
1.-The Great Lone Land" The General is
a Catholic, diplomatist and soldier,
and well regarded in all social circles. His
club, the Junior United Service, called a
meeting to consider whether he ought to
be expelled OF not. A court martial is
limited at for conduct not becoming a
soldier and a gentlemen. Hence, any
thing relating to his nOn-appearance be-
comes for the present public feature
Mr.. George Lewis, the solicitor, said to-
day that every effort was made to induce
him to return. 81 used personal entreaty,
private representations, the influence OF
relatives, of high ecclesiastics and of the
highest military authorities, but it vas no
use. l served him with subpoena and
inclosed five pound note. He sent me
back the note and took no notice of the
subpoena. sent one of his counsel over
to Dinan to represent that he owed it to
Lady Colin as well as his himself to attend,
but all to no purpose.
81 had some time ago written urging him
to let me take his evidence, in case any
thing should happen to him. He replied
that he refused to meet vague and indefi-
mite charge of adultery with any other re-
ply than that Of absolute denial, but as
soon as any particular and specific accusa-
tons were brought against him he pledged
himself that, at whatever sacrifice of time
and convenience, he would return to give
them direct, specific and absolute contra
diction. have that in writing, but after
ward, when the vague and underlined
charge was converted into a specific,
although monstrously improbable accusa-
tion, he had changed his Elind, and he
would not come, and when he has changed
his mind no power on earth can induce
him TO unchangeit.
Lady Campbell wrote to him this let
ter
DEAR GENERAL BUTLER-You will
remember that when Mr.. Lewis in my
presence at his Office proposed for your
own convenience that you should be ex
amined in regard to the case now pending,
you said it would be unnecessary, as you
said you intended to return to England
and appear in person at the trial. This
was so obviously desirable in the interests
of your own character that nothing further
could have been urged upon you, and it is
therefore with profound amazement that
now learn that you have changed this in
tentiOn. You must know that your failure to
appear at the trial will inhict mOnstrous
injustice upon me and put me to cruel and
unnecessary trouble in the yindication Of
my character from unfounded inferences
drawn by my enemies and yours from the
single fact Of your having called upon me
in Lord Colin house. These inferences
can be instantly dissipated by a single
straightforward ond manly denial on your
part, and this denial ! have the right TO
pect from you, as n friend, gentleman
and soldier. Hoping soon to learn that
YOU have resumed your original intention
to appear in person, remain yours truly
"He sent the curt answer:
'DISAN, FRANCE, Nov. 90, Iss6.
"'DEAR Lady COLES CAMPBELL II
beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter Of
the 18th November, and in reply I can
only repeat that my resolution of not ap-
pearing in evidence at the forthcoming
trial remains unchanged.
''She next thus implored his wife -
"'2 VICTORIA MANSION, WEsTMISsTER, !
Dec. Is, 1886. /
my DEAR LADY BUTLER IL do not
know il you are aware Of all the efforts
have made to induce your husband to re-
turn 10 his original intention Of appearing
in person at the trial, but as those efforts
and all the many others have caused to be
made on all sides have failed utterly in
producing any effect, / write now TO you
to make last appeal 20 your womanhood
to try and persuade your husband TO repeat
the denial which he has already made in
his statement and in his letters to Mr..
Lewis ofa year ago. 1t is simply my life,
as well as my honor, that are at stake, for
if your husband does not appear the case
must 90 against me, and "a lose this case
would be my death blow. Will you,
therefore, stand by and see another woman
done to death before your eyes when you
can so easily prevent it: 1 pray and be-
seech yOu to help me in this darkest hour
of my life, and get your husband to recon-
slider this his last decision and appear in
court.
What harm can it possibly do 10 him
to deny q fact already disproved, namely,
about his two visits TO me. have been
and am fighting as hard battle as any
woman ever had to fight Have you then,