The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-01-04
N &.
FRIDAY. JANUARY 4. 1907.
GLENN AND BLACKBURN.

We are glad to learn that Governor
Glenn has decided to take active
measures to vindicate himself in re-
gard to the villianOuS charges made
against him by Congressman Black
burn and to have the matter probed 10
the bottom. II will not do to say that
the charge is so absurd that Mr.. Glenn
ought not to take any notice OF It,
Were he a private citizen he might
take that course; but the accusation
is against him as the governor OF the
state. The states honor and reputa-
ton are involved and it IS due to he
state from him to show to the world
the falsity of the charges Of such in
famous conduct on the part Of the
man whom the people of the state
have chosen as their chief executive
and in whose hands they have placed
the keeping of the states honor and
good name. We are glad to know that
Mr.. Glenn has determined to prosecute
for libel the dissemination of such
infamous charges against the chief
executive officer of the state. MI.
Blackburn'S charge amounts to an ac-
cusation of m~alfeasance in Office on
the part Of the governor, a prostitution
of the high office he holds for personal
gain for which he could be impeached,
and, if proven guilty, deprived for all
time of the right to hold office Or eX-
ercise the right of casting a ballot in
any election.
Who were Mr.. Blackburn's hackers
in making such a charge is not known.
The leading republicans Of h state,
so far as heard from in regard to the
matter. seem to regret that Mr.. Black
burn should have taken such q course.
They recognize the gravity OF such Il
charge and also the injury the recOll
will work upon their party when rs
utter falsity is shown, as they know
will be the Ease when the investigation
so promptly coulted by the governor
is held.
We do not mean to say that were
Mr.. Glenn a private citizen it would
be worth while for him to attempt
a ~vindication of his character-no in
nocent man should be willing to rest
under such accusations-but, that be-
ing the governor of the state and the
being made against him that
he had prostituted that high office tr:
personal gain, it is his duty to the
people of the state, above that which
he owes t himself, to have those
clearly and distinctly re-
futed and to bring to merited punish
the man who tried to bring this
1ishonor upon the state.
Since the above was put in type the
special dispatch from our Greensboro
correspondent was received, which will |
De found on another page, giving an |
account of Mr.. Blackburn's denial Of
he authorship Of the letter to Mr. |
4ackett in which such grave charges
we're made against the governor. This
.mells fsny-like MI. Blackburn was
rying to craw-fsh. The letter appear
d in Sundays papers, n published in
Washington where Mr.. Blackburn was
t the time. vet he waits until he is
threatened with arrest in Greensboro
n Wednesday before he sees fit to
epudiate the authorship We are in
ormed that counsel representing Mr..
ilenn, on Mr. Blackburn's denial, start
d at once for Washington to inveSti-
;ate the name in which the letter
given out. On the result of this
INVESTIGATION among the newspaper men
here will depend the further action OF
he governor. If they are convinced
hat Mr. Blackburn was instrumental
n making public the charges against
governor his denial will not pre-
'ent his prosecution.
1t will be remembered that the Black
'urn letter to Mr.. Hackett was furnish
d to the papers which published it by
heir regularly accredited Washington
correspondents. IT was no hearsay Or
treet umo stuff. }
It locks like Mr. Blackburn is in a
.ole, and is not able to pull the hole i'll
hide himself.
The jury has acquitted Colonel