Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-30
House OF Representa,ives,M March 81.

that q member from the State of Illinois now
in his seat told bin that conference had
been held by the Illinois delegation, and
that they had concluded that the only course
for Judge Douglas to pursue in order to BIO
returned to the Senate was that which he
had pursued 10 relation to the bill for the
admission of Kansas. lie wished to say
that no such consultation was ever bad to
his knowledge, and that he had not taken
part in such q conference.
MIR. SMITH, of Illinois. Allow me to say
the same.
Mr.. MORRIS, Of Illinois, stated that no
consultation was ever held to bis knowledge,
and he was confident that none such was
ever contemplated to be held by that delega-
ton. lie had frequently stated, and proba-
bly, to the geptleman from Virginia, that
nearly the entire democracy of Illinois had
taken stand against the Lecompton Consti-
tuition long before Congress convened-that
they looked upon it as q great wrong and
violation of selfgovernment, and that Meth
er Judge Douglas nor any body else could,
would, or ought to be sustained by the peo-
pie of Illinois, if be supported it. If be
had ever been understood to say anything
else, be had been wholly misunderstood.
Mr.. SMITH, Of Virginia, said it would be
recollected that on yesterday he had referred
to the gentleman of the Illinois delegation
the successor of the gallant Richardson. lie
alluded to Mr.. Morris, who said, in free
conversations on public questions-and he
repeated it now with more distinctness than
then-that after this Congress had been in
session, the Illinois delegation ct the meet
ing of Congress held conference upon the
policy that certain distinguished Senator
in other words, Judge Douglas-should pur-
sue upon the Lecompton Constitution, and
with reference to securing his reelection to
the Senate of the United States. He had
said this in conversation on various coca
sions, and it was the result of distinct re-
collection. He adverted to it yesterday and
he repeated il to-day as recollection OF his,
emphatical, clear and distinct and when 1t
was told to him he believed it. The gentle
man had also Informed him that the Illinois
delegation at the Cincinnati Convention had
recommended various appointments to the
President, md that these Recommendations
had been disregarded, and that that was one
of the grievances on the par! Of the delega-
ton. lie would ask the gentleman from
Kentucky if be had not had similar con-
versatioD.
Mr.. BURNETT, of Kentucky, supposed he
was the gentleman referred to. He did not
feel at liberty, placed in the position he was,
to give the conversation, unless Mr.. Morris
consented.
MIR. MORRIS inquired of Mr.. Smith where
the conversation had taken place.
MIR. Smith replied that if be had represen-
ted the gentleman truly, it did not matter
where the conversation occurred; II falsely,
he should be exposed, and the place was OF
no consequence. lie would answer, how
ever, after they got more facts out.
MIR. MORRIS continued. If be ever had q
conversation with the gentleman it was some
time 10 December last 10 his private room at
the United States Hotel, in the presence Of
his family. He invited him there in social
way, to enter into conversation with the
view of finding out whether some plan could
not be devised by which the Kansas cues
ton could be settled without the division Of
the Democratic party. One object OF the
conversation came up incidentally, that Of
introducing an old Virginia soldier.lriend,
who came here to get 6 pension. In that
conversation he had stated that the dcnocfa'
CIV of Illinois, before the meeting OF Con-
gress, with scarcely an exception, had taken
their position in opposition to the Lacompton
Constitution, and that neither Judge Douglas,
nor any other man, could be returned to the
Senate if be favored measure OF that char
ac,er. He also recollected stating that
Southern gentlemen ought to have had some
charity for their position. Lie had not con-
yersed with Senator Douglas on the SUBJECT
until after bis arrival in Washington, and
did not know what his private opinions were:
He had taken his position at home, and had
EXPRESSED his views freely and unreservedly.
lie recollected stating iurther--and be ap-
pretended that out of this had grown the
whole trouble-of having conversation
with the gentleman from Kentucky. How
ever that gentleman had understood him, be
had distinct recollection in regard to 1t OF
stating that when, after their arrival here,
and after stating that Judge Douglas would
take a position antagonistic to the Lecomp-
ton Constitution, the question occurred as to
the time when he should make bis speech
That conversation, however, took place be-
tween Judge Douglas, Col. Richardson and
bimself, at Browns Hotel, where Col. Rich
ardsop, was stopping. He remarked to
Judge Douglas that. if he had made up his
mind to oppose the Lecompton Constitution,
in his Judgment, he should avail himself OF
the earliest opportunity to deliver his views;
for, on the 2lst of December, the vote was
to be taken on the adoption of the constltn-
ton, and if he had not defined his position
preyious to that, bis motives might be called
in question. So far as be was Informed,
this was the only conversation that had ta'
ken place between them, and IN that opinion
the rest of the delegation participated
Why he should come to the gentleman from
Virginia and state that their course was
taken solely with the view OF returning
Judge Douglas to the Senate, be was en-
tirelv at a loss to determine, as be was that
eentleman's warm personal friend lie
again repeated that if the gentleman from
Virginia or the gentleman iFcn hentucky
had understood him otherwise they had en-
tirely Inexperienced what be said. lie
might have said and doubtless cid say that
Illinois had not been very well provided Tor IN
appointments, but not that the delegates 10
the Cincinnati Convention bad made certain
recommendations to the President, How
could thew have made those recommendations
when that convention was held before Mr.
Buchanan was elected2 No recommendation
had been made, and the gentleman had mis-,
apprehended him. lie might have saia and
doubtless did say, that the delegates 10 Con:
Jol,ratao IN the CINCINNATI