American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-10-28
FIfE CANVASS IN ILLlNOls.
Letters OF John J.. CrIttenden AM
Henry A. Wise,

Aetters OF John J. CrIttenden and
Henry A. Wise.
Judge DTcKEY, aud old line Whig, favor
able TO the election of DouGLAs, made
speech'a few days since at Decatur, Iii
nois, in which he related that, in April,
he was at Washington. snd while there
hal conversation with Seu,tor CRIrrES-
bES. The substance of which is contained
10 the following letter from that gentle
msr: Cincinnati Commercial
FRAXRToRr. August |, 1858.
Mf DEAR SR;--I received. some days
ago, your letter OF the l9,h OF last month,
in which you state the substance of n con-
versIion between us, in relation to Judge
Doug las, as said to have taken place in
April Last. at the city of Washington. You
ask il your stitement OF it is corrett, and
for my PERMISSION 10 you TO speak Of it.
pgiyTSly or pu' licly. as occasion may
piompi you.
remember we'll the conversation to
which you allu lie. and the.suhstance Of It.
ltoccurret at Washington during the last
session cf Congress. and most probably in
Aftil. though | cannot say that remtm
bar tie month. Your statement of Il at
conversation. with very sight exceptions
corresponds with ny recollection of it. AS
yUu State in your letter. did in that con
versation speak Of Senator Dou tlaa in high
and warm ltrms said. in substance that
rIIs PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS LITTLE KNEW HOW
MUCH THEY REALLY OWED HIM that he had
hal the courage and the patriotism 10 take
ao elevated, just, and independent position
on the Lscompton question, nj the sacrifice
of interesting social relations, as well as o.
old parity ties and associations, and in de
ti'ncs OF the power and patronage Of an
angIy Admin 'straiion: supported by a
dominant party. and disbursing revenue
OF some $50, 900 year; that, for this
noble conduct. lie ha been almost over,
whelmed with denunci4tion; that the at
tacks made upon him in the debates Of the
Senate were fr quont, psrsc nal, and fierce;
that, throughout the almost entire sessio
he must have felt tho consciousness that
lie was in daily danger of being assailrd
IN debate as TO force him into alterations
and quarrels that might in their conse-
quences involve the loss Of lis honor oil
tho hazard Of his life. That. notwitbstand
ing all this, he had kept his course steadily
aud firmly; and that, throughout the whole
struggle. he hal borne himself CALAMITY
Taat there WIS., as seemed to me, a hero
ism in his course that deserved appro oa.
lion, ifnot applause.
In the above statement | have rather
Confined myself TO those particulars of on1
conversation suggested by your letter, thar
attempted TO detail the Whole Of that con
versaion, which embraced much more, bu
the above statement contains, as well as
racollect, the substance Of our conversation
,iind whatever else was said in accordanc,
with II. This conversation " ith you. sir
formed bat part Of many other converse
tiJns OF a like character, which had c,
The same subject, duriu! tn. last session q
CJngress. In these conversations | die
among other things. express my high opln
ion and appreciation Of the conduct {
Judge Douglis on the Lecompton dues
ton. expressed it irequontl9, ire
aud openly. and mas careless WHO mi Il
hear or repent it. Under these circun
stances, | do not feel that it wOuld BEcoM
aE to object, or that have ANY RIGHT
object to your speaking of our CONVEX
sation, when have myself so frpqueull
and so publicly declared the whole sub
stance of il.
have thus answered your letter, as
felt myself bound in duty to do. mu,
al ]. however, that do not wish to be n
oilicions intermeddler in your election, {
even TO appear TO bo SO. and | Therefore rt
quest and hops that whenever you hay
olcNSion to speak Of cur conversation I
Washington, or Of this letter, you would d
me tho justice to explain, and to acquit m
of any such voluntary mod ling. or OF tn
presumption of seeking to o5irule myspl
or my ssnti neuts upon the attention Of tn
people Of Illinois. lam. with great respec
yours. &C., JJ. CRIrTENDEN.
l., LYLE DIcKEY, Esq.