Show Alf EXPLANATION Concerning an Error Committed Without Criminal Intent I To 1 he Editor of THE HERALD My attention has teen called to a paragraph in your Local Briefs of Saturday Sat-urday the 14th inst which reads as folows The escape of old man Spilsbury from the deputies is universally condemned by all classes of people in the South It is looked upon as a gross breach of faith on the part of Spilsbury I very much regret that the article in question reflecting as it does upon the character and veracity of a respectable and honorable man should have found its way into the columns ot a paper whose voice should be raised in defence of human rights and even cast the mantle of charity over au error when committed without criminal intent I would not be understood as advocating the right of an offender against laws to deceive an officer who is disposed to show him leniency but I do think a public journal should at least be careful to ascertain the facts and evince a proper regard for the reputation rep-utation of individuals and on y when the public interest would be enhanced thereby should such uncharitable aspersions be resorted to Certainly it should not be regarded asa as-a disgrace to be old aud I know whereof I speak when I say that the gentleman so unkindly referred to has most creditably filled several important public positions and is justly entitled to the confidence and respect of the opoplo of the south where he has labored most assiduously to build up the country for the last tweityfive years It would therefore be no more than simple justice to publish that he has devoted his time during the last saven years in the interest of sabbath school > being at home but few Sabbaths during that time At the same time Mr Spilsbury have committed an error in failing to rs eet the marshal when he was expected but I am sanguine in the belief that when the facts pre brought to light both Marshal McGeary and the public will be satisfied It might not bo im proper to state in this connection that so far us I can judge of public sentiment senti-ment the people are not disposed to complain at th maCiDer in which Deputy Dep-uty Marshals Dyer and McGeary discharge dis-charge their unpleasant duties Of course all men understand that if they are found living violation of the law of 1882 or of the more recent enactment en-actment known as the EdmnndaTuck er Iaw they are liable to arrest ana will most likely suffer the penalty attached thereto Most respectfully CHARLES N SMITH KrcKviLLEjWashington Co April 23 1888 |