The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-26
He Denies It and Furnishes the Copy
of the Letter.
The Ono Given Out Accuses the
President Of Cowardice,
Saying That He Has Lost His Back
bone. Etc.
The Copy Which Blocks OF Five" Dud-
ley Says Was the Real Letter Is an
Acknowledgment That Harrison
Is Ashamed OF him.

WASHINGTON, April 2j. The following
alleged letter from Col w. W. Dudley to
Samuel Van Pclt, an old army comrade
living in Anderson, Ind, was published
here today us special dispatch to a Chi
cago paper from Anderson: "My Dear
Sam--Iours received. | need not tell
YOU that it would be very gratifying to mo
to see you get the Indian Agency, know
ing rs | do your special fitness for tho
place and your service TO the country in
the hour OF her sorcst need, but am sorry
to say that | will be unable to render you
any assistance whatever with the Presi-
dent. He has lost his backbone aud is too
cowardly TO be seen consulting with me,
for the simple reason that the c.ppcrheads
and rebels OF Indiana have irumped up n
lot Of charges against me. lie seems en-
tiroly oblivious to the iact that It was
through my efforts that indiana was saved
to him"
When the above was shown TO Col.
Dudley ho pronounced IL "a clear, cold
forgery" said he had tclegnphcd to Van
pclt as soon as he saw Il in the paper to.
day demanding that Van Prlt give out for
publication the letter which hc actually
wrote, and added: 81 wrote only one,
and | have preserved copy. Hero ii is.
While don't care TO have my private let
lcrs published to the world, yet there is
nothing In the letter which am ashamed
Of, and while II was hastily written In
confidence to an old friend, | would havcno
objection to the Pr,iidcnt scciug IT,
have asked nothing lrum Gen. Harrison,
aud therefore have nothing 10 complain
OF. wish the Administration every sue
cess, and would not, II | could, cmbauass
II In any way. am out OF politics, aud
would not acccp, any public office. I
have recently associated with mc Mr.
Charles -. lngcfsoll, OF New York, and
Jerome Cnriy, Of Philadelphia, and havo
| decided TO devote my entire aucniion TO
| the practice OF law | neither sock nor
would accept any public Office"
Following Is the letter
| w,snNGroN. - G., Aprliik tssa
| y. Van fc.L ~. Anderson. Ind.
Dear Old sam-Your good letter OF tho
Goth of Mar'h got in good tilnc, bat II
found INC absent. have rucrnily re-
turned from trip 10 the South, where /
went ON legal business. and lad good
time aud a little rest from the cfOwds OF
people who throng my o,licc from morn
ing until night aud from tlc mountain of
lcitcr which pile upon my desk every
day. Your letter got into the pile, whcro
] rescued u tonight, and | hasten now
tO say how much good ID hgs
done lnc 10 hear from YOU again. There Is
nothing | should like better than 10 do
something Tor you. sam. but | nn afraid
YOU greatly Oyorcsiimntc my influence.
Your Old friend Reed hns placed his pom
sion In my hands, and ! am work.ngawny
nj 10 20 get IL soon. Perhaps there is no
one IN the country who has done ~ much
for Gen. Harrison during the last twenty
ycar ~ ! have, but bcrausc our Demo
cratic friends down In indianapolis have
started the hue aud cry ou me, lirothcr
Icn does not seem 10 feel that he can
afford to recognize me M an acquaintance,
and consequently | don't take dinner at
the White House ~ might bc expected.
l have not been inside the White llonsc
since Clcyclands inauguraiion.n "a little over
four years ago, but | will see II something
cannot be- done n little lnicr on, aud tell
you what Ia DO II you shouldn't hear
irum the again, sam, for the next two
months, don't bo alarmed. iorficrc will
be- Just as good chanccs two months hence
and little bctier-as there afc now.
Give my Kind regards 10 all the boys
at Anderson, aud remember mc always as
your friend. W. W. DupLEY.