White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-11-04
Mr. Crittsnden's Letter.

Mr.. Crittenden's Letter.
Hon. John ]. Crittenden, Kentucky's
greatest living Statesman, has addressed
the following characteristic, able and man
ly letter to Judge Dickey, a prominent
Old Line Wing Of Illinois, in regard to
Senator Douglas
FRANKFoRT, Aug. l, 1858.
M Dear Sir II received some days
ago your letter Of the 18th of last month,
in which you state the substance Of con-
versation between us, in relation to Judge
Douglas, as said to have taken place in
April last, at the city of Washington.
You ask if your statement Of il is correct.
and for my permission to you to speak Of it,
privately or publicly, as occasion may
prompt you.
l remember well the conversation to
which you allude, and the substance of it.
1t occurred at Washington during the last
session of Congress. and most probably
in April. though cannot say / remem-
Der the month. Your statement Of that
conversation, with very slight exceptions,
corresponds with my recollection Of it.
AS You state in your letter. l did in that
conversation speak Of Senator Douglas
in high and warm terms. / said in sub
stance, that the people of Illinois lltle
knsv hon much they really Oared him that
he had had the courage and the patriotism
to take an elevated. Just and independent
position on the Lecompton question at the
sacrifice Of interesting social relations, as
well as Of old party ties and associations,
and in defiance of the power and patron
age of an angry administration. support
ed by dominant party, and discussing a
revenue of some SS0,O0O.000 a year /;
that for this noble condnct he had been
almost overwhelmed with denunciation /;
that the attacks made upon him in the de-
bates OF the Senate, were frequent, person
al and fierce. That throughout almost
the entire session he must have felt the
consciousness that lie was in daily danger
of being so assailel in debate, as to force
him into alterations and quarrels that
might in their consequences involve the
loss of his honor or the hazard Of his life.
That Notwithstanding all this he had kept
his course steadily and firmly, and that
throughout the whole struggle he has
borne himself calamity. That there was.
as it seemed to me, heroism in his
course that deserved appreciation. if not
applause.
In the above statement | have rather
confined myself to those particulars Of
our conversation suggested by your letter,
than attempted to detail the whole of that
conversation, which embraced much more.
but the above statement contains, as well
as l recollect, the substance of our con-
versation, and whatever else was said was
in accordance with it. This conversation
with you, sir, formed but part Of many
other conversations of ike character,
which had on the same subject during
the last session of Congress. In these
conversations, l did, among other things.
express my high opinion and appreciation
of the conduct Of Judge Douglas on the
Lecompton question. l expressed it fire.
quently, freely, and openly, and was care
less who might hear or repeat it. Under
these circumstances l do not feel that it
would become me to object, or that have
any right to object to your speaking OF
our conversation, when have myself so
frequently, and so publicly declared the
whole substance of it.
/ have thus answered your letter, as ]
felt myself bound in duty to do. l must
add, however, that do not wish to be
an officious intermeddler in your election.
OF even to appear to be so, and l there
fore request and hope that whenever you
have occasion to speak of our conversation
at Washington, or of this letter, you would
do me the justice to explain, and acquit
me of any such voluntary intsrmeddling.
or Of the presumption of seeking to OBJ
trude myself or my sentiments upon the
attention Of the people Of Illinois.
/ am, with great respect, yours. &C.,
j. J, CRITTENDEN.
T. LYLE DIeKEY, Esq.