Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-03-29
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

Representatives on Saturday, after the Star
went to press. 1t arose from some remarks of
Mr.. Smith of Virginia, in the course of his
speech on the Kansas question on the day be-
fore. He had declared that member of tho
Illinois delegation told him, that, on the con-
vening of Congress, the Democratic members
from Illinois held consultation" which was
attended by Senator Douglas, and at which the
course to be pursued relative to the Lccompton
measure was determined upon. And, that the
reasons for pursuing that course were that Mr..
Douglas might be reelected to tho Senate, and
because the President had not appointed GER
tain persons recommended by Mr Dougiqs
and the delegation. Mr. Shaw denied that
any such Consultation had ever been held
Mr.. Morris surprising Mr.. Smith had had refer
ence to him, denied having made the statement
and urged that he had been misunderstood
He then related what he alleged to be the SUBJ
stance of the only conversation he ever had
with Mr.. Smith, giving the matter different
phase altogether.
This brought Mr. Smith to his feet, when he
not only emphatically re-afirmed all that he
had previously stated, but made the case even
stronger, and asserted that Mr. NJ had also
told him something to the effect that Mr. Dou-
glas had suggested to Mr.. Calhoun, the Pres-
dent Of the Lecompton Convention, the plan of
submitting the Constitution to the people of
Kansas. lie also remarked that MI NJ. had
made similar statements TO MI Burnett, of
kentucky, and called on that gentleman to
answer If such was not the case. Mr.. Burnett
would only make a statement when called
upon by Mr.. Morris. Mr.. Morris urged that
the conversation alluded to had been in his
private apartments, and was not intended for
public repetition. He consented that Mr.. Bur-
nett should state what he had said to him
Mr.. Burnett then said that Mr. Morris had
told him substantially the same as Mr. Smith
had alleged was told to him. Mr. NJ had also
remarked that Mr.. Douglas believed the Pres
tdent wished to crush him, and that his refusal
to appoint parties whom Mr.. D. recommended
was proof Of that desire, and that the friends
OF Mr.. ID. were unwilling to stand by and wit
ness such treatment from the President
Mr.. Marshall, of Illinois, denied that any
" conference" had been held and pronounced
any assertion to that effect untrue He also
denied that any suggestion was made by MIR
D. to Mr. Calhoun, relative to the submittaI 10
the people Of Kansas of the Lecompton Consti-
tuition. Mr.. Smith admitted that his converse
ton with Mr.. III. took place in the lodgings of
that gentleman. but denied that any Injunction
ofpriSacy was imposed. The conversation was
on an important public matter, and, although
he could not feel that he had in this instance
betrayed confidence in repeating it, he would
even be justified in violating rule of etiquette
where the welfare of the country is involved.
Mr.. Wright, Of Georgia, thought the matter
had gone far enough, as it must inevitably run
into personalities If continued He believed
the whole dispute ensusd from difference of
opinion on the meaning of the words "confcr-
snce" and consultation
Mr.. Morris concluded the dispute by deprs-
eating the conduct of Mr.. Smith in making use
Of private conversation, and contended that
the difference between what he acknowledged
having said and what Mr. Smith had repre-.
scented him to have said was, at most, inmate.
rial.
TIE UTAH Army SUPPLIES RooRpACKs-
We are glad to perceive that the press of the
country disposed to do justice to and deal hon.
estly towards those charged with the response.
bility Of conducting American public affairs in
these POLITICALLY troubious times, appreciate
ut its true value the fact that fair grounds for
opposition not existing, the mass Of the Repub
1ican party press are p.:rsuing system of in
dividual and party detractiOi more glaringly
nendacious and unpriIcipled that, ought ever
before occurring in American politics We
quote a late number Of the New York Journal
of Commerce on the subject, as follows.
Aside from the usual parliamentary tactics
which Were To be brou2 hit into requisition during
the progress OF the Lecompton bill through the
two Houses, and OF the new political project Of
consolidating the Republicans, the DouI las Dem
Ocrats, and thS Americans, into one political or
ganizdtiOn, IL Was necessary TO destroy
In the Administration, and to convince the peo-
pie, II such thing were paSsibe. that IT was
not governed by principle and was not worthy IF
their support. Accordingly The President was
charged with bribery and corruption, with oher-
Ing pecuniary OF other inducements to members
OF Congress who hesitated about supporting the
bill. and In various methods prOstitutiny his
high once, and violating his official oath, to
cure a triumph over lis political opponents.
member Of Congress from this State was made
use OF 70 trump up charge against the Presi-
dent, and to demand an investigation committee
upon bis acts. This small and cheap effort hav-
ips failed, the most powerful and feasible mode
OF making n concerted and simultaneous
sizugbt upon the Administrations through tie
press was determined upon, and accordingly We
nave witnessed for some time past the most vim
dictive, talse, and ferociOus charges In the lead
my hepuDllcan news papers.
The Opposition made hoics @! an ex perienctd
leader IN li.is newspaper war upon the Z resident
AID bis Cabinet. That pattern OF political viz
tue and incorfnPtibility, the Courier and Enqu'.
rer OF this city, is the chosen captain OF this for
Torn hope, and it, columns have for several days
been hIled with charges too gross for belief, with
hbeis too yindctive TO gain credence among m
teiiigent men. The extensive preparations de-
manded for the Utah campaign. the large sup
plies " hch are necessarily contracted for to pro-
vision and sustain the army In that distant field
OF service, have afforded the opportunity for ma
KING Charges which, however false, nobody
SouId on the moment disproye; aud IL has thus
oeen supposed that the public mind could be
raised 70 pitch of excitement, which would OPP
eue upon Congress pending the consideration
me hans1s bill, and possibly its defeat
~ tnis des peTate undertaking. while the pa
fei 10 winch we refer, from its peculiar fitness
tot thr position, Is the acknowledged lea der the
oneI hrPuoilcan papers in this city and In other
nncIpai Towns Were prepared to Join, and of
eoi,e ne press OF that party throughout the
county win contribute TO give currency 10 these
daise charges TO the extent Of their ci}cnIati.n
Inc PRESIDENT may be- guilty OF all the mons,ron,
RERh