The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-30
THE DOUGLAS AND FITCH DIFFICULTY.
SENATOR nOUGIAs To SENATOR FITCH.

THE DOUGLAS AND FITCH DIFFICULTY.
SENATOR DOUGLAS TO SENATOR FITCH.
WASHINGTON, Jan. II, 1859
SR-To-day in secret session Of the Senate you offered
me afront wanton, unprovoked and nnjustihabe,
that obliged TO infer must have been the impulse
Of momentary passion and not Of deliberate premedita
ton This note is written for the purpose of a0rding you
opportunity Of saying whether not my conclusion is
correct and further Of a0ordDg you opportunity Of
retractng the offensive language which you thus gratui
Hon GRAHAM N Flrcm f' S. A. DOUGLAS.
SENATOR FITCHs REPLY.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %, 1850.
sIR-Your note of yesterday handed TO me this
morning. In reply, have to say that you yesterday
made charge that the lately appointed federal officers
in Illinois were corrupt dishonest men-or words to
that effect You knew my to be of those officers,
and you could expect to hear such charge with
out prompt denial OF its truth pronounced to be- to
your knowledge, untrue You subsequently go modified
it to satisfy that you excepted my son from the
general charge, although you did not name him. and
made no further issue with you on that subject When
statements which had not made, requested that in
quoting me you would do SO truthfnly These remarks
were certainly not deliberately premeditaed but they
tary passion" The first prompted by determine
ton TO defend the honor and character of son. dear
to me as own against an attack general In its terms
necessarily to include him; and the second was the
ercse of my right to rectfy Misrepresentation Of my
remarks. g. N. FITCH.
SENATOR DOUGLAS TO SENATOR FITCH AGAIN.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22-9M Z. M.
SIR-Your note of this date has just been placed in my
hands admit without hesitation, your right and duty
to do justice to the reputation OF your At the
time maintain my right, in the discharge Of my duty
Senator to comment freely and fully on the character of
Executive appointments especially in my State.
deny, however, that my general remarks in relation to
the list of Illinois appointees confirmed by the Senate
during my Absence could be fairly interpreted TO embrace
your SON. when you seemed so TO construe them, /
promptly replied that what had said of the Illinois ap
pontmenss was true general rule but that there
exceptions among whom recognized some Of my
friends Abiding particularly to your son, added that
had nothing to say regard to the merits of his appoint
ment choosing to leave that question where placed by
remarks to the Senate during the last session. your
presence at the time of his confirmation. You admit
that you understood this explanation exempt your
from the application OF my general remarks, and yet you
have failed to withdraw the offensive language; but
the contrary at subsequent stage Of the debate, when
ressy declared that you had nothing to retrac thus ap
pearing in my apprehension to rearm the Objectionable
words
AS to the other ground of offence admitted in your re-
ply to my note, have to say that did not understand
you to assume to correct me in quotation Of your Ian
guage unconscious of making any such citation
but to repeat the original offence another form; other
wise would have made proper response the instant
This explanation, which is due aketo both, the
points presented in your reply, affords you another OPP
portunty Of withdrawing the offensive words which you
Hon. GRAHAM N FITCH s. A. DOUGLAS.
SENATOR FITCH's SECOND REPLY.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %, 1859
sIR-Your note of last evening was handed me at
twelve O'Clock H. to day. Your explanation in regard to
my son being explicit, have hesitation in saying
that you had excepted him from your CHARGE not
made II general, would not have deemed myself war
ranted in repeng II in the words of which you complain
offensive, and which, in consequence Of your expan
lion, now withdraw. am also informed by your note
hat If you had not been mistaken in relation to my
marks on the subject Of your misrepresentation Of my
sentiments, you would at the instant have made proper
response. This likewise enables me 10 say that, in my
closing remarks explanatory TO the Senate Of share in
exciting debate upon subject not relevant TO anything
before that body and the responsibility for the introduce
ton Of which rested solely with you, should have with
drawn as now do tho second offensive remarks, If you
had made the satisfactory explanation then you have
now made. e. N. FITCH.
Hon. s A. DOUGLAS
SENATOR DOUGLAS TO SENATOR FITCH ONCE MORE.
WASHINGTON Jan. "a, 1850
SrR-Your note OF yesterday has been received and
while accept your withdrawal of the words to which
have taken exception owe it TO myself protest against
the idea to entertain that note of Saturday
intended precedent and inducing condition Of the
redress which solicited instead Of being, certainly
designed IL, merely responsive TO the specifications in
your reply to my first communication.
In regard 10 the introduction and relevancy Of the mat
ter the debate out Of which this difficulty arose.
not think that proper subject Of discussion in the pre-.
sent correspondence. S. A. DOUGLAS.
Hon. GRAHAM N. FITCH.
SENATOR FITCH's THIRD REPLY.
WASHINGTON, Jan. "a, 1859.
Sia-Your note Of to-day was received at liz A. "
II not for TO judge the motives which dictated yours
OF the 22d. only say that my answer was pre-.
plantations disavowed, my withdrawal must likewise
be dsavowed. G. N. FITCH
Hon. S. A. DOUGLAS.
SENATOR DOUGLAS LAST NOTE.
WARRINGTON, Jan. "a, 1859.
SIR am averse to prolongng this controversy after
gaming the substance Of my demand; but cannot
without responding to last note by saying that is
mmateria to me upon what you predicate your with
drawal, since have guarded against msapprehension
OF my position S. A. DOUGLAS.
Hon. GRAHAM n. FITCH.