Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-08

proceed. 1t is we'll known tn gentlemen here
that the speech which delivered on that oc'
cssion, was delivered late in the evening, and
| will add, was almost wholly i'm promptu,
without preparation or generalization and
it would not have been very strange If, in the
heat of debate, had said what my cooler
judgment would not wholly approve. But,
sir, that the House may know exactly what
| did say 10 regard to the gentleman from
Virginia, send up to the Clerks desk, and
will ask to have read all that portion vi the
speech which relates to the gentleman.
The Clerk then read the portion Of MIR.
MarsbaIPs speech referred to
Mr.. MARSHALL of Illinois. | shall detain
the committee but a moment longer. 10 the
remarks which then made, did not intend
TO do any injustice to the gentleman from
Virginia After bearing his remarks to-day,
and giving them all the weight and impor-
lance | think they are entitled to. do not
believe that did the gentleman IRON |ir-
GINA sny injustice in the remarks which
then submitted. | inteudei To cast no per
sopal reflections upon bin, but intended, IL
a. direct aud distinct language as | was capa-
Ole of using, to say to the House, that the
specific charges made against Judge Doug
las, and the Illinois delegation, were not
true, and bad 90 foundation 10 fact. And l
now repeat, after hearing the evidence which
the gentleman has brought forward, that l
do not think any man can believe that lie
has brought forward even the semblance OF
proof to establish the truth OF one OF the
charges. | did not propose, nor do now, TO
90 over the entire columns OF the Chicago
Times, in order to ascertain whether there
was any such statement introduced as quo
tation or illustration, or In some connection
of which | could know nothing as that re-
ferred to in the Journal introduced here by
the gentleman.
| will say this to those who seem to be
sensitive about the Illinois Journal, that
mean now to cast no particular reflection
upon the Journal or its conductors, other
than to state, what we all know to be tact,
that it is too often the case that little reli-
auce is to be placed upon statements OF TACT
10 mere partisan papers. When the euitor ol
the Times, and gentlemen upon this moor,
state that no such article appeared In that
paper, if anybody intends to assert the con
trary, in common fairness the article ought
to be produced ~ eItelSO, aud the date 81 the
paper ought to be given, 80 that the assertion
may be directly and distinctly met. But we
have nothing of that kind. The article
copied, | took from the Times of the date
therein indicated. There is no question
about it that indicates what was the policy
of the editor of the Times-at that time at
least. 1t il also the article which was lndl-
Gated BY Mr.. Calhoun, while be was 10 this
CITY, as the one to which he referred when be
made the charge which has been floating
about this city, and which the gentleman
from Virginia MIR. Smith took up and pour
ed out upon this floor, tnst Judge Douglas
had indicated the course to be pursued by the
Lecompton convention. As | have said, the
article appended to my speech was the one
be referred TO.
Taking all these facts together, do not
think the gentleman from Virginia has sup
ported himself in any respect by the evil
dence be has brought forward on this occa-
sion and whatever may be produced here
after, it is my conviction-indeedl have not
a particle Of doubt about the matter-thai
the charge which has been floating about,
and to which the honorable gentleman is en-
deavoring to give currency, that Judge Doug
las interfered in any way or form with the
conduct of the convention in Kansas. CT any
of these conventions, is utterly destitute OF
truth The gentleman has abandoned his
original charge. lie Gays now that Judge
Douglas ought to have answered the letter
written to him by Mr.. Calhoun. have
spoken to Judge Douglas about this. lie
does not pretend to say that Mr.. Calhoun
may not have written to bin. He thinks
that be did but be does not recollect the
purport Of such letter. Judge Douglas, as
every body is aware, has large correspond
euce, and is daily receiving letters from all
portions of the country Acting on his gen
eral policy of not interfering. directly or 10
directly, with the affairs Of the people OF that
Territory, as q matter of course he would not
have given any advice upon the subject. 1t
would have been improper for him to have
attempted in any manner to Influence or COZ
troll the free action of the people OF Kansas.
lie could not have done so without abandon.
ing his policy of non-intervention, OF letting
the people of Kansas settle their affairs IN
their owo way. Acting on that policy, 1t
was bis duty to pay no regard to any such
letter, if received. Such, at least, is my
view of his duty. He never did give any
answer 10 IL.
and think that be did wrong. | think that
be did right. No one can object to any one
making any fair criticism upon facts which
do exist What object to, is the assertion
of things as facts which have no foundation
whatever.
Mr.. SMITH, of Virginia. want FIVE min
utes. TIE gentleman has occupied my time,
and only ask a small portion of his
The gentleman will readily see, that when
these rumors were rife throughout the c0un-
try, and, moreover, when Judge Douglas
took the position he die, it filled the breasts
of great many Democratic gentlemen with
alarm and with distrust, and prepared them
to entertain, with some degree OF belief,
any further statements corresponding there
with.
10 reference to this particular fact, have
adverted sufficiently. | believed it, because
40 honorable gentleman, as supposed, John
Calhoun, an old friend of Judge Douglas. so
stated it. | bring this evidence up 10 sup
port of my statement. | could not be errc-
neous in believing these things, especially
when there were other circumstances which
justified it. | think that the only blame, per-
haps, that can be charged with, is the mod
GRAFTON of my criticism. 1t Is remarkable
that, in a speech of some elongation, was so
forbearing.
Mr.. MARSHALL, of Illinois. ! will not de-
tain the committee. This lie a matter Of lie.
,le importabee. If | have done any injus