New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-05
PATRICK FORD,S WAR RECORD

CAMPAIGN ISLANDERS COMPLETELY REFCTED.
Patrick Ford pays his respects in this weeks
|" Irish World to number Of calumniators who
have been seeking to break the effect Of his powerful
appeals to Irishmen b vote against the freetrade
Democracy. He has been charged with being thief
swindler, deserter from the United States Army,
traitor to Irel nd and apostate from the Roman
Catholic Church. Free trade journals and Demo-
cratic committees have fanced that they could
his arguments In favor Of protection 10 American
Industries by vile abuse and reckless ISLANDERS. Mr.
Ford now exposes this kind OF campaign, and fur
nshes documentary evidence that Mr. Murtha, chair
man Of the Executive Committee Of the Democratic
State Committee, invited him to private conference
on Jnly 8, and endeavored TO secure the support
Of THE Irish Worldr for Cleveland These over.
lures having been rejected Mr.. Murtha and Demo
cratic partisans, like Tho Evening POST have had
recourse e. stale calumnlcs, some Of which have
been disproved in the courts. Mr. Fords refutation
Of tho false charges respecting his conduct during
the war is complete and unanswerable. He shows
that these charges wore made during the campaign
Of 1884, and that after the election he had the
lbeer arrested, tried, convicted and sent to tho
penientiary. In open court Mr.. Ford remarks.
Il produced my honorable discharge, and out Of
hts mouth my miserable defamor con
demncd and COMPOUNDED. The New-York papers Of
that time among them The Evening POST published
the proceedings OF that trial and noted its result ;
ycL mere Is Inc Evening HOSL now III 90, III tno
teeth Of Its files Of years ago reprinting, II IL
were something new, this branded and exploded
falsehood.s
The following letters from Mr.. Ford's companions
In arms effectuany dispose Of these vile calumnles
Boston, October 9, 1888
Mr. John Ryan, Jr. waddngton. ~ Y.
Dear Friend and Comrade In reply to your inquiry
,sspecuns me false and malicious charges made agans
that was his captain Company A. 9th Regiment
Massachusetts Volunteers during the war of the re-
heliion. and think ought to be fairly compcten;
witness OF what he truly was, as well as a judge
OF what his INSCRIPTIONS enemies falsely say no was
] have to say that Mr.. Patrick Ford was a good
soldier In the war, and OF his fidelity HIS country
honorable discharge and the ready and cheerful test
mony OF his surviving comrades officers and men,
bear ample evidence.
puts on the sembance of truth. Patrick Ford IN
January 1868 win some others OF my company, Ieii
parole is at the War Department at Washington. He
was reported among the miss Ing, and an error on the
as 1t was discovered, was promptly corrected This
error, which is the rotten basis on which II IS at
tempted to rest the injurious charge against Mr. Ford
his calumniaors ignoring the correction put in CIR
culation as campaign lie, knowing IT to be lie.
Enclosed is a copy of card which answers your
purpose. II IS answer TO all that you want to
know about Mr.. Fgd's military record, and answer
truly yours, JAMES F. McGUNTGLE
Late Captain Co. 4. 9th Mass. Vols
Boston. september c5. 1893
fVspccIlng evidently put ID CIT
culation for campaign purposes. and whose object
Is to throw discredlt the military record Of Mr..
Patrick Ford. We the surviving officers OF the eth
Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers wish TO say that
Mr.. Ford was a member Of that honored military
organization in the for the Union and served as
a true and faithful soldier. We impelled to bear
this testimony not merely In justice to brave and
worthy comrade but also 10 express contempt for
the base methods OF tn, dastarly mallgners OF Mr..
Ford. for whom all however much may differ
among ourselves political questions entertain the
warmest regard a trIe-hearted and honorable man
and we cordially wish him all the success and all
the hOnors that his virtues. his abilities. his devotion
10 principle exempllhed in his splendid services to
the land Of his birth well as fidelity TO the land
Of his adoption so Justly have for him.
PATRICK T. HANLEY,
Colonel 9th Mass Vols.
DANIEL G. NACNAMARA, Major.
CHRIS. PLUNHFTT. Captain.
JAMES F. McGUNIGLE Captain Co. A.