Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-06-23
BISHOP h. M. JACKSON.

The Eufsula, Ala, Times prints the
following in justification OF Bishop q. M.
Jackson, concerning whom there have
been various publications:
Bishop Jackson has been confined
closely to his own home since the recent
unfortunate publications concerning
him. His father has been at deaths door
fer several weeks and only few weeks
ago was laid away in a silent home to
await the resurrection day to take place,
finally, among those who do not slander
their neighbors or bear malice in their
hearts. The Bishop was in no frame of
mind to talk about the unfortunate af-
fair while his fathers life was, under
the Bishops own roof, fading out. With
bowed head he sat waiting the order of
Him who rules the sea and the land and
cares for and disposes of His humblest
creatures. Nor does the Bishop seek the
public prints now. He is willing to suf
fer and be silent. But friend of his, q
prominent citizen of Eufaula with
whom he has alked freely, is ready TO
talk aud does talk to reporter of
the Times. He makes this statement {:
''Bishop Jackson has been long time
a sufferer from catarrh of the stomach
and uresmic poison. This is no new
things to his friends. They have
known it for more than year. He
has been under medical treatment for
long time. ANY physician will tell
you that slight drink of whisky Ia
ken in this connection. compounded
with uraemic poison, is likely to give
man the appearance of being intoxica-
t.d. The Bishop admit frankly That
he took drink of whisky before leav
ing b me for one his appoint ments in
the State. He was induced 10 do go by
his wife, who, fearful of his lack OF
strength, thought it advisable for him
to take it. He only took one drink
and found himself under its Influence
after riding FIVE miles from his home
II bis health had been at all fair at the
time the slight toddy would have done
him 20 harm. The Bishop says that
be had not taken as much as spoo: :
full of whisky or other intoxlcent BE-
fore this time in months, though he
had been in the habit, all his life, wh'
needing toddy to take one. And the
published story has been greatly exae-
perated. He vas not lifted on the train
a. all. He did not fall down, as report
ed. I have looked up the witnesses and
they do not say SO at all. He was not
very sure footed and that YVES all. He
saws. and l heartily believe him, tha
it was no. the whisky, but the poison
10 his system, which the whisky acted
op, which gave him the appearance Of
being Intoxicated. He tells me, and L
believe him heart ly, that with the ex-
ception of this slight drink, which be
took at the suggestion of his DEVOTED
wife, be had not tasted spoonful oi
whisky. or any other intoxicant, 10
months. How cruel it is, then, to pub
lisb these hurtiul reports affecting
mans reputation for all time, when the
worst is true. or can be true, is that he
had had physical ioirmity. And the
statement related in an early publlca'
ton that he was in Virginia visiting
mis- rich father for advice and aid is as
true as some other parts of the story
The Bishop is frequently in Eufaula,
where he may be observed of all men,
and this is the only report that any
nerson ever saw him in condition Tor
criticism. It is a sad commentary On
tha charity of the human heart that we
can't look upon even physical lnhrm'
itv--as in this case-wlthout un]us'
criticism"