The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-02-19
.econtinuea from Yeaterday.o

MlAsouri, Sept z, 1872
"Gentiemen-AM papers in relation to
the matter in controversy between Mr..
Lincoln and Mr.. Shields having been
5 withdrawn by the friends OF the parties
concerned, we. tho UNDERSIGNED. friends
OF Mr.. Lincoln, In jnccordance with your
request that explanation OF MI. Lineoln's
publication in relation to Mr.. Shields In
hi Sangamon journal OF the "a. 9Th and
10th of September be made. take pleasure
ID saying thai. although Mr.. Lincoln was
the writer Of the article signed .Rebeccas
In the JournalSof the "a. and tim only,
yet he had no Intention OF injuring the
personal or private character or standing
of Mr.. Shields as a gentleman or n man
and that Mr.. Lincoln did not hin nor
does he now think that said article could
produce such an effect, and. had Mr.. Lin
coin anticipated such an, effect, he would
have forborne to write II. We will fur
Their state that said article was written
solely for political effect and not to graft.
~ n personal piquel against Mr.. Shields.
Tor he had none aud knew of no cause for
NY. It's due to General Hardin n Mr..
English to say that their Interference was
OF the most courteous and f.entIemnniy
character. .E. II. MERRYMAN.
4. T. BLEDsoE.
"WM. BUTLER"
Let II be observed now that Mr.. Shields
friends. after agreeing to the nrbItrament
of four dtBtnterested gentlemen. declined
taS VI We nlEs SHltlQN
wished his W friends to act for him.
They then proposed that we should ex-
plain without n withdrawal of papers.
This was promptly and firmly refused,
aud General Whlteslde himself %pronounc.
ed the papers withdrawn. They then pro-
duced a note requesting us to "dlsayow"
all offensive intentions in the pnblica-
tons. ETC.. etc. This we declined nswer
ing and only responded 70 the above re-
quest for an explanation.
These are the material facts in relation
to the matter, ard / think present tho
cuse IN a very different light from the
garbled and curtailed statement OF Gem
eral whiteside. Why he made that state
ment j know not, unless he wished to de.
tract from the honor OF Mr.. Lincoln.
This was ~ungenerous. more particularly
as he on the ground requested us not to
make In our explanation any quotations
from the "Rebecca" papers: also not to
make public the terms OF reconciliation
and to unite with them in defending the
honorable character OF the adjustment.
General w. In his publication says, 1.-THE
friends of both parties agreed to with
draw the papers temporarily to give the
friends OF Mr. Lincoln an opportunity to
EXPLAIN This 1 deny. l say the papers
We're withdrawn to enable Mr.. Shields
friends to ask IN explanation. and I ap-
peal to the documents for proof Of my
position.
BY looking over these documents It will
be seen that Mr.. shields had not before
asked for an explanation. but had all the
time been dlctatorily insisting on a re-
traction.
General whtteside In his Communication
brings to light much Of Mr.. Shields man-
ifestaticns OF bravery behind the scenes.
I can do nothing OF the kind for Mr..
Lincoln. He Dol his stand when ] first
met him at fremont and maintained 1t
calmly to the last without difficulty or
difference between himself and his
friends.
I cannot close this article. lengthy as It
Is, without testifying to the honorable
and gentlemanly conduct OF General Ew-
fng n DIR. Hope. nor indeed can I say
that I saw anything Objectionable In the
course OF General whiteside up to the
time OF his communication. This Is SO
replete with preyaricaton and misrepre-
sentation that I cannot accord to the, gem
eral that candor which I once supposed
him to possess. He complains that I did
not proerastlnate time according to agree
inent. He forgets that by his own act he