The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-04
"SOUTHERN DEMOCRAT. +"
G.. W. GILL REPUDIATES THE
NOM DE PLUME
And Declares the LibelOus Forgery
to Have Been the Composition
of the Radical Gang.
To the Editors of the Appeal:

To the Editors Of the Appeal:
M. 7. Williamson by his silence
confessss judgment concerning his lit
tie speech about the Germans at the
Exposition. He is quite aware that,
like himself or George Washington,
whose initials / bear, 1 am incapable
OF telling an untruth, except for con-
sideration, which consideration not
being forthcoming in the present in.
stance feel compelled to Tell the sim
pie truth, aud Gen. Williamson did
damn the Dutch in those very words,
that the Germans never voted the
Republican ticket, anyhow, Just this
aud nothing more. Gen. Williamson
doubtless remembers that l can call
him as witness to the truthfulness of
my character. One July night sew
eral years ago party OF gentlemen
met to confer upon me the honor of
the authorship of that literary MASTER.
piece Il have heard it called nasty
piece) Southern Democrat" the only
thing, by the way, they we're ever
real y anxious to give me. When asked
to say wrote it, although my vanity
was much tickled BY the honor of
fered me, Gen. Williamson will rec
ollect that my innate seuse of truth
fulness prevailed, and repl ed, l will
not say / wrote it, for that would be
lie, but, like Grant, / will assume the
responsibility, which | did. Could
George Washington have dope more
if he had been in my pace? After
assuming the responsibility, took it
with me up to Cincinnati, brought it
back again and have kept it as
eacred trust all these years, and now
hand it back again, unimpai,ed, to
Williamson q Co., and devoutly trust
they may never find again an individ-
ual that will have the regard for his
word that have had in such a cause
but although Gen. Williamson may
reasonably bear witness to my truth
fulness, how can l return the compli
ment when l remember how that arti-
Gle was used, as forgery, after was
assured that there was no intention to
use it in any such manner, when it
was spread broadcast all over the coun-
try, even illustrated in Hdvper'S Weekly
and lectured upon by Horace Maynard
at the Greenlaw 0perahouse as the
utteranCes of a sure enough Democrat,
Horace Maynard being surrounded at
the came time on the platform by the
Republican gang, who were the real
authors OF that Ubiquitous forgery.
During all that time l kept silent, for
my words sake alone, notwith-
standing heavy brides that were offered
me, by men both in Cincinnati and in
Memphis, to disclose the real authors.
Even when Mr.. Krekel, becoming
tired OF his rather slight share in the
comedy, gave away all he knew, Ietill
remained dumb, with an ~heroism
worthy Of better cause; but when |
see these identical men again stretch
ing out their rapacious claws to gain
control OF all the important offices Of
the county, my conscience is absolved,
and / feel it my duty 10 endeavor
to defeat thess selfish and I'M
sclupulous cormorants, and there
fore come to the front and denounce
that article and it's author publicly, IS
l have always done in my own mind.
They are unworthy of any public
trust or confidence and must give way
to better men, aud, as natural con-
sequence, better government. 1t may
be objected that | do not even now
give away the true author OF this re-
markable. effusion. Concerning that,
l would say that l never asked, and
was never informed, but have always
been under the impression that it was
the work of the combined brains of
the Republican ring, they being all
present, as previously stated, when |
agreed to assume the responsibility OF
this extraordinary and honorable pro-
ductioD, and thereby only met their
views half way, they urging me to
utter the lie, that | wrote it, which |
emphatieally refused to do, and now
declare that / never saw or heard OF
the article until it was common talk
on the streets. l regarded it simply
as an answer to an attack made upon
L. B. Eaton, and so accepted it. Twas
mistaken, as the result proved it was
written and used as a gross forgery,
and now these same men by whom 1t
was issued and worked have the inn
pudence to call convention and claim
that they represent the decent citizens
Of Shelby county, but the voters will
resent this insult on election day by
recording an overwhelming majority
against these enemies of the people. !
have never been Republican or Demo
cratic, but have always considered
that labor is entitled to representation
OF its own aud firmly believe the day
will come when in all countries this
will be an accomplished fact:
G. W. GILL.