Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-12

accept It's CONCLUSIONS as final or to be
guided by It's Recommendation.
am now thoroughly convinced that
this Is the outcome OF a deeply-iaid and
weii-executed scheme 70 blast my repu-
'ation and character, and that behind It
All Is concealed the hand OF powerful in
terests, alike Indifferent to the honor
and interests OF the Confederate Veteran
associations and TO the character and
reputation of the individuals composing
these bodies. The fundamental idea or
these associations is mutual comrade-
ship and brotherly love, and 1 now de-
clare that the whole proceedings has
been In violation OF the fundamental
principles OF the Organization. Instead
OF proceeding in accordance with the
principles of brotherly love, my accusers
have, In violation of the laws OF decency
and morality. secured by means OF theft
or robbery the supposed evidence of guilt
In the shape of the two checks adduced
In evidence, and without notice to me Of
the nature Of the evidence, they suddenly
called upon me at the trial 10 explain
these transactions OF more than three
years ago.
WEAPON OBTAINED BY THEFT.
The dictates of oomradeshlp and bro
therly love should have induced my ac-
eusers to first seek me with this evidence.
calculated at best only to throw sus-
picion upon my conduct, and to ask an
explanation before dragging me before
the public and plunging me into this
public investigation. BY the report or
the committee I am condemned by the
single circumstance OF these checks,
which must have been procured by the
most disreputable means, inasmuch as
the holder Of them refused to disclose the
source from which he obtained them,
whilst admitting that he knew he had
no right to have them in his possession.
Let me ask right here whether it is bet
ter TO obtain by means of theft the wea-
pom by which to stab comrade in the
the agent of book company? 1 call az
tention to the fact that 1 appealed In
vain to the committee to let in the light
upon the disreputable transaction con-
nected with the procuring or those
checks, and IL turned out that the COM
mittee appointed to Investigate refused
TO investigate, save in one direction, and
In the direction Of my supposed guilt.
Was the single circumstance OF my as
sociating with man OF good reputation
at that time. but who has since been
brought into bad repute, sufficient to cali
down upon my head the cruel and harsh
verdict rendered against me? i have not
been treated with the consideration which
would have been accorded to the com
monest criminal In the land. IL seems
that IT has been assumed from the be-
ginning that l was guilty. l have al
lowed my accusers to appoint their own
committee, and their committee have
condemned me. their comrade. upon evil
dence that would have not suficed in a
court of law to convict any human be-
ing, however disreputabie In chaEaeter.
.-->s sAPfEgI4S TO THE PEOPLE.
To damn my character in this manner
is far worse than to convict and oon-
denim to the punishment inflicted by law
the meanest criminal who could suffer
punishment at the hands of law. 1 shall
not submit TO the judgment. but shall
appeal to the judgment Of the Advisory
Council and to the Virginia public. 1
shall fight TO maintain my character and
standing amongst my comrades and my
generally, confident tnat
their sense of fairness and love OF justice
will finally bring me vindication from
the grave charge made against me. In
what 1 have said 1 disclaim any refiec-
ton upon the personal character of the
individuals composing the committee, but
l simply decline to submit to their 1udg-
ment. I decline to resign either as
Grand Commander or resign my place
upon the History Committee, and / chal-
lenge my enemies to appear before the
bar of public opinion. 1 will forthwith
convene the lieutenant commanders ana
the Advisory Council of the Grand Camp
Of Virginia and lay the whole proceed
ines before them. j. n. STUBBS.
What the Grand Commander Says
Further.
Colonel Stubs was seen at Murphy's
Hotel after he had read the report and
had written his statement in connection
Herewith, and asked If he had anything
else to say. He replied that he did not,
but that he had no idea of sitting quietly
by and having his reputation blasted
without a murmur. 'I shall appeal" he
said. "to the Advisory Council, where L
feel sure full justice will be done me;
and If 1 can't get 1t there 1 shall go to
the Grand Camp itself" In his card |
Colonel Stubbs asserts it as his purpose |
10 convene the Advisory Council forth
with, and it is presumed that the order
for their assembling will be issued TO-
morrow. 1t was not issued last night, |
and the Grand Commander would not |
saw definitely at what time he purposed |
Issuing il. simply referring the reporter
who approached him on this matter TO |
the word forthwith" in his statement.
When this council assemblies, 1t Is not
Colonel Stubbs's purpose TO &c before
them and plead his cause or to intro
5uce any new testimony. He Will SIM
Div lay the transcript Of the testimony
Eaken in the investigation before them'
and then leave II for them 10 decide
whether or not that evidence was sufil-
,jent 10 Justify any such report as was
made by the Investigating Committee.
SOME ONE ELSE TO PRESIDE.