Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1858-07-31
The awin and Wilson Affair
WASHINGTON. June 81. 1858,

~ and Wilson, as given tNthe puOlc' mas s''
rise 10 much criticism upon the apparent
;, ridiculous position into which both ,hesH Sc
: tlemen have been placed ty their difficulty
!, the floor of the Senate. The published co
respondence does great injustice 70 the Cs
|, fomia Senator,
= The California appropriation bills had
4, been supported and voted for BY Mr.. Wilsol
, A bill regulating the pay Of surveyors 10 Cil
, iorna was under consideration, and Mr.. brt
deri:k stated on the floor Of the Senate 'h0
, labor and living were us cheap in Calliornl
as in the Atlantic States. This statement
though contpdicted by Mr.. Gwin was mad
the pretexi by Mr.. Wilson for 4 vio!ent iiInd'
against California, whbm ke represented n
y "haviny both arms in the Treasury" and en-
denvorlng 10 absorb the whole public revenue
Of the country. Mr.. Gwin asked il the Senn'
Tor from Massachusetts had not supported all
the appropriations for California Mr. Wilson
answered that he had, until new light was Civ
en- hun by Senator Borderck. Mr. Gwin re-
joined that such course was dcmagosNeism
Mr.. Wilson inquired il the remark was applied
to him, and Mr.. Gwn making no answer, Mr..
! Wilson snld he "woud sooner be charged
with demagosueism than stealing" Mr..
Gwin sprong 10 his feet ard asked il the Sen.
ator from Massachusetts, intended to apply
that cpithet TO him. Mr.. Wilson said he had
no explanation to make, whereupon MIR. Gwin
pronounced him "a liar, coward, and Sian.
dernus traducer Of character" Here ended
the affair on the floor of the Senate. Early
neg, morning, Mr.. Gwin, not receiving any
message from Mr. Wilson. selected Mr. Fitch,
Of Indiana, MS his friend, and despatched n
challenge, which Mr.. Wilson declined accept.
/ ing This closed the correspondence, and as
there had been no explanation or apology for
the language used by Mr. Wilson, we were on
! the eve of having another 'caning AFFAIR."
| Precaution had been used TO prevent n section
al bias be eing given to the difficulty, by the
selection of a Senator from free State 10 bear
the challenge | say we were about havln"
another leaning affair" when Senator Seward
as the friend of Mr.. Wilson, undertook to
bring about settlement bv an ample apology
from Mr.. Wilson. Mr.. Seward called upon
Mr.. Gwin and begged that he would suspend
any action until he (Mr. Seward) could make
an effort TO settle the difficulty amicably. Mr.
Gwin consented to grant two hours for the
purpose of receiving an apology from Mr.. Will
son. Mr.. Seward at once drew up the paper,
and its terms being satisfactory to Mr.. Gwln
and his friends, Mr.. Seward hurried on to pro-
cure Mr.. Wilson's signature. The latter ask
ed time to show it to some friends and,ihe en-
emies OF Mr.. Twin succeeueo III inuu'!'ug MI.
! Wilson to refuse his signature. Mr.. Seward
regretted the result but determined not TO
leave any effort unried to arrest street fight.
He sought Gen. Davis, from Mississippi, and
late Secretary of War, and begged him to see
Mr. Gwin; ard get him TO modify, il possible,
his demand for an apology. Gen Davis uni
derook the task, hut he first sought an inter
view with Mr. Wilson, to learn his views
Gen. Davis suggested the propriety of Mr..
Wilson fixing some hours between which he
would be upon the bank of the canal, and ready
to defend himself This could be done with
out..any formal challenge.
Mr. Wilson asked what would be the prob
able result CT such a meeting. "Thc dealt OF
one or both of the parties" responded Gen.
Davis. Mr. Wilson at once declined that mode
of settlement, and asked what MIR. Gwin pro-
posed doing. 81 doubt not" said Gen. Davis,
"he will attack you on sight, and in rencoun-
tire of the kind, he will have every advantage of
you accustomed as he has always been, TO the
hazards of a frontier life" Mr. Wilson then
expressed himself ready TO make any apology
which might.be agreed on by Mr.. Davis, Mr..
Seward and Mr. Critenden, and Immediately
addressed note to Mr. Gwin to that effect,
which is published with the correspondence
Mr.. Davis then held an interview with MT.
Gwin, and asked him if he was willing TO en-
trust his honor in his General Davs's) hands
Mr.. Gwin SAID he was, but that any settlement
contemplated, must be speedily made Gener-
al Davis said, "You know Wilson. will not
fight, and we must have no more Gaming at-
fairs Youi reputation for bravery is not IN!
volved that has been established on five diff
ferent occasions. You can afford to be gener-
ol<, and hope you will leave the whole set set
tlement to the persons indicated by Mr. WIZ
SON" Mr.. Gwin assented to the arrangement
and hence the adjustment as published IN
which Mr.. Wilson disavows applying the of'
fensve term to Mr.. Gwiu personality but only
intended il as referring to e&ravagant leS'sla-
tion for California Mr.. Wilson was father
unfortunate in the selection Of words TO express
the idea of "extravagant legislation the
history of the transaction shows that the Mas
sachusetts General won but few lauyels in the
quarrel which he provoked