Waterbury Democrat., 1902-04-12

Has Slipped Out or SlgnL Oulh lnS
 Republican American Chapin.- Pape
 Reach Parsons Affair Blows Over-+
 Hampton Was Innocent as Lamb
 When He Indited That Story in
 Fame-Not Knowing Pape or Chapin
 He Hopes Both Are Good Fellowa
 and Wants To Be Their Friend.
 On-the-run, April II.
 MT Editor: Since reading your burning account of the American-Re- publican Chapin- Pape- Reach Parsons imbroglio and discovering that l am mixed up in it, if not to some extent accountable for the outbreak, desire to announce through your widely cir- culated columns that I have grabbed a change of linen and taken to the tall timber. I am a man of peace, I am, and I want it understood if there is any blood to be shed 1 don't want it splashing over on me. Red is not be- coming to my complexion anyway; tn say nothing of the disa greeable odor of the sticky stuff when it's warm. Cold blood is the only kind admire.
 In my absence, I hope you will ex- ert your powerful influence to re- strain the impetuosity of Chapin or PaDe or Reach or Parsons and not permit them to make a slaughter house of the battlefield. Waterbury has reputation to sustain, and sure ly you cannot stand with folded hands and see such deeds performed upon her peaceful streets as shall in the fu- ture change her name from Water- bury to Bloodbury. Perish the thought. Circumstances over which l have no control prevent my personal presence ill the vicinity. but I am with you ill spirit, and I have an olive branch in my hand long enough to reach from Maine to California, which I am constantly waving. Pray Heaven that its gentle and restraining influence be felt among those fierce Numidian lions of Connecticut seeking whom they may deyour.
 Come, soothing Peace, and lay thy hands
 Upon each fiery head
 That fairly yearns for blood enough
 To paint the whole town red.
 Soult, hlHely Etace. ana cool the DrOWS
 Of those who seek for gore:
 Allay their thirst for blood, and let
 Them go to more.
 Incidentally let me correct a state. ment made in your valuable family journal concerning my relation 10 this sad affair. You mention me as "a friend of Mir Pape," thereby creating the impression that the story was writ ten because of that friendship. I am as much MT Chapin's friend as 1 am MT Pape's, because I am. or want to be, the friend of all good men. never saw either one of them in my life. and never had any communication with either until the publicatio of the story, and then only denial of it from MT Pape. It was told to me as hum dreds of stories are told and it struck me as good to tell again, my infor- mant being reliable man. and as- surfing me that the story was public property in Waterbury. He had no more interest in it than had. I told the story simply as moral tale for the benefit of good little boys who might be contemplating entrance into the golden paths of journalism. and I gave it as a landmark by which they might the better pilot themselves to that goal which should be the glory of their lives. Little did I think at the moment. that instead of it's being glory" to wslich I was directing their innocent footsteps, it was 'gory"
 And this brings me again to the in- pending danger, the menace to the peace of Waterbury. Let me again. from my safe retreat where I must re- main for obvious reasons. implore yol1 to use your best offices in staying the carnage that would follow any overt act. In Kentucky. where once I was an editor. we could take shotgun and go out any morning and bag a few. of our loathsome contemporaries. but Kentucky is so different from Connec- ticut. Many and many a time have slain an offending editor before break fast, in Kentucky: but I would not wish to do so in Connecticut P. S. Confdentially and not for publication. that is one of the reasons do not come to Waterbury to make personal explanation. I haven't dabbled in gore for so long that I don't care for it any more. It's an acquired taste least in Connecticut.)
 But that is neither here nor there. l do not know your relations to your contemporaries. and possibly you may yearn to knife the whole gang, but am sure, in this time of greater dan- ger. you will set aside your own per- sonal wishes, and step forth as lead CT in the common defense. that you will be a champion in the cause of peace.
 I can't do goldarned thing from where I am, and somebody has got to do something or Waterbury will be- come blazing blotch of red on the map. If you won't. who in Heavens name will? Call the police. And call 'em loud.
 Hastily yours.
 w. J. HAMPTON. !,
 N. B.-My usual address is 330 West 51st street, New York city, but I am not there at present. There is a sign up which reads: "Gone to Timbuctoo; will be back ill the autumn of 1904, Providence permitting" w. J. l..