The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-04
SENATOR'S GWIN AND WILSON.

The New York Evening Post has copied letter
to the st. Louis Republican in reference to the late
dispute in the United States Senate between Sena-
tors Gwin and Wilson, and has made that letter the
subject of editorial comment, with the evident de-
sire to relieve Senator Wilson from the disgraceful
imputatons to which he has made himself liable,
both as United States senator and as gentleman.
We publish both the letter and the Posts article in
another column 1t may be very natural that the Post
should seek to defend the republican senator, and
should feel sore that 50 prominent member of tho
republican party should have placed himself in so
unenviablc position but we must be excused if
we express the opinion that the Post would have
acted much friendly part towards Mr. vii.
son had it "overlooked'' the entire affair, and not
rcopeued a discussion which no one can have so
much reason to regret the senator from Massa-
chusetts
The Post insinuates that the communication to the
st. Louis Republican was prompted more or less
directly by Senator winhimself" The falsehood Of
this insinuaon is apparent to all those who IA
miliar with the facts of the case and the character
and reputation Of the honorable senator from Calor
MIA There are several statements in the letter with
regard to what occurred in the Senate which are err.
roneous, and prove, conchsively, that the writer
was not prompted" either directly or indirectly,
by Senator Gwin or by any of his friends. For ex-
ample the writer says that Senator Gwin asked if
Mr.. Wilson had not supported all the appropriations
for California. No such question was ever asked by
Senator Gwin. There are many other minor points
in the letter which equally enormously stated
We have refrained from commenting on the facts
of this transaction because it was the evident desire
of the entire Senate that it should be consigned to
oblivion; not because any exception was taken to
the conduct of Senator Gwin--which, we believe
that we are warranted in stating, was as completely
approved by every member of the Senate without
distinction of party, that Of Mr.. Wilson was EN-
phaticaly condemned--but because the members of
that body unwilling that the disgrace of Scna-
tor Wilson should receive any further publicity For
this reason the entire proceedings in the Senate in
reference to the dispute have been excluded from
the Congressional Globe
The Post further insinuates that there was some
doubt to whether Senator Gwin intended to pros
ecute the matter to personal combat. Everybody
here knows that this insinuaon is most malignant
aIsehood and that were it not for the interference
OF Senator Seward through Senator Davis the col
lison would have been inevitable. The high, chiv-
alric reputation of Senator'S Davis and Gwin are
sufficient guarantee that the would not advise
nor the other agree to any departure from the
which Senator Gwin had resolved to pursue which
could be considered, IN the most minute particular
derogatory to his honor and position; and we can
state further that were IL not for Senator Daviss
nterpostion, no means Of settlement would have