The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-11

Dut Tor tn1b, Wa WOuiu OtnerWlSe view
with unbounded amaEement, namely,
his seeming go to CORY in what he
PMS before the public as avindica-
ton OF the accused. DR.. Wither-
spoon has himself made a lasting
record with regard TO this matter. II
Is indelibly written that acsrtsin wit
ness, one OF the most prominent citi-
zens OF Louisville, when asked upon
the stand the names of those whom he
had heard reflect up, n the Nessrs. Con-
verge, gave DR.. Witherspoon's name.
1t is also deeply eDgraven upon thai
record thai Dr.. WitheIspoon was him
salf atterward upon that stand, and
that be did never contradict that wit.
ness, nor did he himself ever testify
to the good reputation OF these, his
friends. We waited in vain for him
to do 30, aud were prepared and su.
thorized 10 refresh his memory
by bringing up one instance,
or more, OF his having had
an interview with an eminent
gentleman to discuss iavorably plans
for the retirement of at least one Of
the editors, and the substitution of a
batter man. Ard, as matter of our
own per2onal knowledge, we are pre-
pared to say that after the trial here
Witherspoon called upon US at our
Louisville home, and, in the
course of a conversation with respect
TO the verdict, stated that he
thought the trial had been a great
revelation" t. the Messrs. Converse,
by opening their eyes to the amount
OF evidence that was brought against
their reputation Tor words to that
effect, they not dreaming that 80
many people distrusted them. Now,
it is perfectly plain that Dr.. Wither-
spoon must have bsen excited when he
wrote his card otherwise, how Could he
in this card repre2ent the evidence as
so insignificant when in his interview
with us he had used that word "reve-
lation" with respect TO that very evil
dence. Moreover, in that same con-
versstion DR.. Witharepoon distinctly
stated that while a certain gentleman
whom he nsmed) was of the
opinion that F. B. Converse
was the worse man Of the two,
he thought that I. E Converse was the
woree He fur bermore said that at
the meeting of bis synod certain par.
ties lad proposed to him (Df. W.
that # Mr.. T E. Converse could be re.
tired he and Mr.. F. B. Converse
might be associated as editors of the
pap which proposition he laugh
ingly said he would not entertain for
moment. We agreed with him thst
he cou' d not do 50, but suggested
that if both were made simple
business managers, he might then
honorably take editorial control OF the
paper. To this suggestion he made no
decided response. To make known
these thinge gives us no pleasure
whatever. But DR.. Witherspoon, by
his excited espousal Of the cause OF
the Messrs. Converse, has made it in
cumhent upon MS to stste the facts
exactly as we remember them.
4. Dr. Witheyspoor says that he did
net make that pathetic plea fer "a
life of priceless value" As the court
was in secret session, OF couree we
did not hear him, and our statement
was based on information, 1t will be
remembered that we carefully guard
ed it by the words "as Ue are Informed"
DR.. Witherspoon's simple statement
that our informant Was under a
wong impression would have been
quite sufficient. His somewhat heated
declaration to that effect is, Of
course, rs with gentlemen always,
with Us conclusive and final And,
whilst We cannot see that for pastor
OF tender sensibilities, who had con-
ssnted to sit in the trial, TO have made
plea of that kind, would have dis
honored either his head or bis cart,
nevertheless, under his vehement cor
rection, we withdraw the statement
and make humble apology for having
unintention lily given him such evil
dent vexstion.
5, DR.. Witherspoon epeRks OF us as
victims Of "defeat." By the aw of
Opposites, We suppose he regards the
MePsrS. Converse (wbo reeeived the
"rsvelatiou") 30 the heroes Of iri-
umph. Gently, but firmly, pressing
backward upon our good friend
the aygUmentum sd homineum
running through his card, we
may SAFELY leave it with him
self to say whether all the wealth of
India could tempt him to bind the
gsrlsnds Of those eleven votes for con-
viction shout his brow and 20 through
the world shouting victory!
Finally: The Southwestern Presby-
terrain of this week says: eve are
compelled to call attention to the fact
that, whatever may be the amount of
exoReration in the vote OF the ms
jority, over such maj ority the first
use the Observer makes OF this ambigu-
GUS exoneration from the charge of
falsshood is to perpetrate more false
hood." IL view OF which we venture
to suggest to DR.. Witherspool that his
zeal for masing corrections may, ike
charity, begin at home.
EIfnENn nANTET