Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/275

Rh intermeddled in party affairs," to which Mr. Smith replied "I am of no Party: I just dress the Sentiments of one side of the Question; I would do the same for you, were there not men of abilities among you." This language was overheard, and being repeated from mouth to mouth was added to, so that the accepted report had it that Smith's language was to this effect: "I only dress the Sentiments of the Proprietary side in proper language; and if it was not that there are men of sense and ability among the friends of the People I would do the same for them." The offense in this latter version lay in the naming of the two parties, and the sting to Smith was in his apparent acknowledgment that the Assembly party were the Friends of the People. This Mr. Smith met by an affidavit not only denying the language as reported, but further denying his having given expression to any sentiments of the kind whatever in a conversation with Mr. Roberdeau or otherwise. This was met by an affidavit of the gentleman and by the same from those bystanders who had noted what had been said in the warmth of the conversation, affirming that Mr. Smith employed the words as first recited above. And to strengthen Mr. Roberdeau's worth and credit with the community, not only did the Rector, Warden, and Vestrymen of Christ Church certify to his having "always supported the character of an Honest, Virtuous, Religious, Upright and Sober man," but certain citizens, seventy in number, joined in a certificate in the same terms, among whom were Drs. Bond and Zachary and Mr. Syng, who were trustees of the Academy. The town talk became oppressive, and the Pennsylvania Journal, Bradford's paper, admitted communications on the charge anonymous and otherwise. Humphrey Scourge gave mild advice to a certain Parson: " I could wish for thy own sake, and the sake of those under thy care, that thee would behave more prudently, and give less occasion of offense to the People; " and Obadiah Honesty came out in a Broadside arguing that the probabilities all were against Mr. Smith saying the words currently reported he had uttered. Smith himself was the reputed author of an article in the Journal of 1 5 April in which he referred to the