_Question_. I see, Colonel, that in an interview published this
morning, Mrs. Van Cott (the revivalist), calls you "a poor barking
dog." Do you know her personally?
_Answer_. I have never met or seen her.
_Question_. Do you know the reason she applied the epithet?
_Answer_. I suppose it to be the natural result of what is called
vital piety; that is to say, universal love breeds individual
hatred.
_Question_. Do you intend making any reply to what she says?
_Answer_. I have written her a note of which this is a copy:
_Buffalo, Feb. 24th, 1878._
MRS. VAN COTT;
My dear Madam:--Were you constrained by the love of Christ to call
a man who has never injured you "a poor barking dog?" Did you make
this remark as a Christian, or as a lady? Did you say these words
to illustrate in some faint degree the refining influence upon
women of the religion you preach?
What would you think of me if I should retort, using your language,
changing only the sex of the last word?