Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-10-25
Ma: THURSDAY, OCTOBER %, 1860

touching the questions of submission
and non-subh.ission OF the Con
stitution.
The Convention first met early in
September. 1857. and having elected
officers and appointed committees.
adjourned to the latter part of October
1t was given out that the object was
TO wait the result Of tie Territorial
elections. which were To take place
ca ly in October, and to shape he
conduct of the Convention accordingly,
bnt the main purpose Of the recess was
to allow time TO ascertain the views
of Democrats holding Influential
places in the councils of the country.
When the reassemhlage took place.
and the subject of the disposition OF
the Constitution, intermediatcly
between the Convention and Congress
came up. it was fonnd that the body
was divided into three parties: one in
favor of sending tho instrument direct
to Congress; the second in favor of
submission of the whole instrument
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 en'ire submission. 1t
was very naturally surposed that they
represented the views or wishes of the
Administration. The partial sub
mission party was led by General
Calhoun. the President Of the Con-
vention. reported to be favorite OF
Mr.. Douglas. possessed of his conf
dence and in correspondence with him.
and the scheme was generally known
as the Douglas plan"
Alter n protraetcd and acrimonious
debate, the question was put on the
5th or 9th of November. and the nom
submissionists triumphed by one or
two votes. BY extraordinary cxertions
reconsideration was had on the ,th,
tho day Of final adjournment. and the
plan OF submission. through which
the Constitution went before Congress,
was carried by bare majority.
On the evening OF the day on which
thn non -snbmissionists were vic
torious. Gen. Calhoun requested me to
enacavor to secure for his side a
member. since dead. Mr. Swift. OF
Jefferson county. who hal previously.
voted against submission, and over
whom it was supposed that | could
exercise some influence. In the
course Of our conversation Gen. Cal.
houn informed nc that he had in his
possession letter from Mr.. Douglas.
eitAcr suggesting the project of partial
submission. or giving assurance of his
support to it, DO not recollcct
which.
Since the death of Gen. Calhoun. |
have had several conversations with
Mr. Oliver Diefendorf, his brother in.
law-who maintained with him and
his family all til. intimacy such n
relationship bespeaks-on the subject
OF that letter. aud upon every occasion
Mr. Diclcnlorf referred to the letter a.
being among the papers of the
deceased. in the possession OF his
family. have more than once cx-
pressed my surprise that q man oil
spirit, aS supposed Gen. Calhoun to
have been. should have silently sub
mitted to the gross iniigniiy put
upon him in the Senate by Mr.
Douglas, and Dir. Dielendorf 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 private
AMI would have submitted TO anything
rather than violate that privacy.
Ii a formal investigation of this
affair should hc determined upon.
petmit me TO suggest that you address
every member OF tho Convention. and
particularly those who voted with
Gen Calhoun on tho subrsission
Issue.
wo III also indicate. for your con
sileration. the propli,ty Of communi-
eating with Col. Andrew j. lsacks. OF
this city. Though not member OF
the Convention. he was present during
the whole struggle on submission: ho
zcalou,ly labored with Gen. Calhoun
Tor the form adopted. anil, like him.
was an ardent friend of Mr.. Douglas
putatively representing his views.
Having thus laid bcfoie son all the
knowledge l have in this connection,
| remain.
Iour obeiient servant.
DAylEL ScuLLy.
Louis Barnes. E-q. Presilen, oI
the Democratic Asso .iation OF L,av