New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-17

BROOKLYN. y. 7. February rs. 1900.
Sir: The expressions Of regard and OF sympa-
thy received by me concerning the persecution Of
my son from all sections Of our country are so
numerous that il has been heretofore physically
impossible for me 10 answer them all by per
sOnal acknowledgment as 1 should ike 10 have
done. and I beg 10 request that you allow me the
courtesy OF the use OF your columns 70 express
my 1earIIeLl -hanhs Ior lne k1ndhess OF my
friends and, more than that for the spontaneous
expression on the part Of many with whom I
nave no personal acquaintance Of their BELIEF N
the innocence of my son. and their opinion that
he has been uujUstIy convicted
So far as the lsgal questions involved in the
case are concerned they are entirely within the
control Of the able counsel who have protected
his interests and with them I have nothing 10
do. Ny remarks are confined solely 10 personal
and family matters. do not desire 70 inrrude
these personal affairs upon the public, but in
view Of the great number Of letters and other
communications which have received, ana II
view OF the very great publicity the District Al
torney has seen NJ 10 give TO personal and irrel-
eVant l-ralLS oy pIoilc interviews IN the columns
Of the press while The charges were pending
against my son, [ feel justified. now thar the
trial is ended. in making this statement.
may say IN advance that 7 have been de-
-erred from making such a statement earlier
solely by the advice OF counsel and Iv nv own
consideration Of dignity and Of propriery. The
views which I now express have always en-
tertained. and have been always ready 70 de-
clare as soon as I could properly do so
ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE BURDENS
It has been iutimated in some Of the news
papers that fund should be raised for assist
ing the defence Of my son. 1 should not men
L4C4L matter at al except Tor the EdCT
such publications viii reach the eyes Of those
who do not know ne and who might derive an
impression wholly erroneous. and one which 7
90 nor desire 70 De entertained by any human
being I should not allow pride TO prevent me
from accepting such assistance. II it were need
ed, for the reason that I should not myself heSi-
tate 10 of1er II 20 any person who needed IL.
and should never be ashamed 20 receive what
I should not be ashamed 10 offer But I owe no
man dollar, and I neither need nor desire any
assistance OF such a character. I feel. and am
amply able in health, strength and the courage
natural 10 q man 20 sustain all the burdens thar
wise.
1 rich in the firm belief in the justice or
Almighty God. in The devoted love and COM
fort OF a nCDle WIFE nv sOlz and their wives
all united, ali certain IN the Innocence OF Roland
Burnham MOltneUX. and certain that il will BE-
sIstance and no other comfort or support But
for my household I do need and I 30 ap-
all those or every denomination and OF
every faith who. like myself feel that nv
son IS innocent and the victim of an unjust per-
secutIoh- 90 not ask FOR any uaudlin sym
pathy. Ny son is a strong man. able 10 bear
MS own sorrovs and responsible sor his own
acts appeal. moreover, 10 every man who is
a man to respect the sancrfyv Of the grief ~
M afflicted wife and my sorely afflicted taugh-
ter-my daughter in affection and nv daugh,ar-
lu-IaW Dy reason Of her marriage 10 my son
Blanche Cheseborough MOiineuX- In their be-
na1 my friends. gallant comrades o3 The Grand
Confederacy, late foes bur nov friends. well
as all others who resent injustice and revere
Womanhood. ask You TO assist them during
my struggle n the front line OF defence OF these
my best OF earthly blessings. Shield and protect
them from unnecessary and intrusive curiosity.
let their modest womanhood and their agouizing
scrrows move you 70 their support. and let
them be YOUR charge
KNOWS he IS LSNOCENF
As for my sons, trust that they are brave
men, with the strength 20 live and die bravely.
I have seen my son Roland asleep as a child
by mis- mothers side I have seen him asleep
in mis- cell after the verdict condemning him 20
death had been pronounced. Who is better a Die
than /. his father 10 Judge whether that sleep
the natural sleep OF innocence And I
have heard his hrst words on awakening Al the
call OF his father. by reveflle from that
sleep after the verdict. How Is Blanche9 How
is mother Ana before that sad awakening.
during all the dreary days OF his confinement.