Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-10-24
REPLY OF DANIEL scULLY.

REFILL VI DANIEL CNILL1
LEAvEywoRTn, Aug. 81, 1860.
Sir In reply to your note of yesterday,
cheerfully lay before you such informa-
tion as possess pertinent to the inquiry
you propose
l was an officer of the Lecompion Con-
vention-from my position, necessarily, a
watchful observer of its proceedings and |
became somewhat conversant with the in
fluences brought to bear to sway its de-
examinations touching the questions of sub
Ii ission and non-submissiOn Of the Con-
stitution.
The Convention first met early in Sep
tember. 1857, and having elected officers
and appointed commit ees, adjourned to the
latter part of October. 1t was given out
that the object was to await the result of
the Territorial elections which were to
take place early in October, and to shape
the conduct of the onvention accordingly,
but the main purpose of the recess was to
allow time to ascertain the views of Dem
ocrats holding influential places in the
councils of the country.
When the reassemblage took place, and
the subject of the disposition of the on
stitution, iutermediately between the Con-
vention and Congress cane up. it was
found that the body was divided into
three parties; one in favor of sending the
instrument direct to Congress: the second
in favor of submission ofthe whole instru-
ment to the people; and the third in favor
OF submitting the slavery clause only.
1t was understood that Governor Walker
and Secretary Stanton were in favor of an
entire submission. 1t was very naturally
supposed that they represented the views
or wishes of the Administration. The
partial submission party was led by Gen
er Calhoun, the President of the Conveu-
ton, reported to be favOIite of MIR. Doug
las. possessed of his confidence and in cor
respOndence with him, and the scheme was
generally known as the douglas plan
After protracted and acrimonious de-
bate, the question was put on the 9th or 9th
of November. and the ncn-submissionists
triumphed by one or two votes. BY ex-
traoruinary ezertiOns a reconsidera-
tion was had on the 9TH. the day of
final adjournment. and the plan of submis-
sion. through which the Constitution went
before Congress, was carried by bare
majoiity.
On the evening Of the day on which the
noD- -su6missionists were victorious, Gen.
al.oun requested me to endeavor to Sc
cure fol his side member, since dead, Mr..
Swift of Jefferson county, who had previ-
Uusly voted against submission, and over
whom it was supposed could exercise
some influence. In the course of our con-
versation. Gen. alhoun informed me that
he had in his possession letter from Mr.
Douglas, either suggesting the project of
partial submission, or giving assurance of
his support to it. | do not recollect which.
Since the death OF Gen. alhoun, have
had several conversations with Mr. Oliver
Diefendorf. his brother-in-law-whc main
tanned with him and his family all the in
timacy such a relationship bespeaks-on
the subject of that letter, and upon every
occasion Mr.. Dietendorf referred to the let
ter as being among the papers of the de-
ceased. III the possession OF his family. |
have more than once expressed my surprise
that a man of spirit, as | supposed Gen.
4 alhoun to have been, should have silent
ly submitted TO the gross indignity put up
on him i'll the Senate by Mr.. Douglas, and
Mr.. Diefendorf has challenged my respect
for the deceased by answering that very
few knew the nice sense of honor he had;
that he considered the correspondence pri-
vate, aud would have submitted to any,
thing rather than violate that privacy.
If formal investigation of this affIir
should be determined upon. permit ne to
suggest that you address every member of
the onvention. and particularly those
who voted with Gen. Calhoun OH the sub
mission issue.
L would also indicate. for your consider
alton. the propriety OF communicating with
Col. Andrew j. Isacks of this city Though
not member of tie Convention, he was
present during the whole struggle on sub
mission; he zealously labOred with Gen.
alhoun for the form adopted, a2d, like
him. was an ardent friend of Mr.. Douglas
putatiyely representing his views
Having thus laid before you all the
knowledge l have in this connection, l re-
main, Your obedient servant,
DANIEL ScULLY.
Louis Burnes. ESD, President of the
Democratic Association of LcavenwOrth.