The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-27
sPRAGUE VS.. ABBOTT.
Mutual Mrnth Snhsides aud Pence Ensu

Nfihth SuDSideS ana PenCe ElISucS.
Yesterday morning Senators Sumner and
Sherman called upon Senator Sprague in order
to suggest basis of settlement of the difficulty
existing between himself and Senator Abbott
The conversation resulted in Senator Poole join
ing the Senators above named, and producing
letter from Senator Abbott to Senator Sprague
of which the following is a copy
WASHINGTON, ID. c., April 26.--TO Hon. Will
liam Sprague-Sr:-On the 22d inst, in the
United States Senate, you uttered the following
language
'Mr. President:-In answer to the TRADE of the
Senator from Nevada, and the Senator from
North Carolina, | am reminded of little illus
tration. In my travels from the centre here into
the rural districts, through the woods and farms
OF the surrounding neighborhood chance at one
time brought me to farmhouse. | found, on
looking up, large mastitf and mongrel puppy
dog. The little dog moved on me with rapiditv
from behind, bit at my heels, and, frightened at
his temerity, ran bowling away, followed by his
larger companion. The Senate will observe that
the mongrel, whining puppy, encouraged by the
mastff, and emboldened to attack from the sha-
dow of his hacker, ran rapidly away, alarmed at
his temerity, while the Overgrown cur followed
closely after, both ears Topped. and tail between
his legs, to place of safety beside his menaced
companion"
The language has been understood as meant
in part to be applied to me. | am not aware
that gave any occasion in my remarks for you
to want to be offensive or insulting in reply.
therefore deem 1t proper to ask that you state
=
the above offensive language to myself | am,
sir. very respectfully, JOSEPH c. ABBOTT.
In reply to this communication of Senator
Abbott, Senator Sprague wrote a reply, which
was placed i'll the hands of Senator Sumner
who, together with Senators Sherman and Poole,
proceeded to the residence of Senator Abbott
with authority to deliver the letter upon Senator
Abbotts acceding to certain conditions in the
nature OF withdrawal of certain language ap-
piled to Senator Sprague, and involving reply
from Senator Abbott to the letter of Senator
Sprague which reply was to be satisfactory
both to Senators Sumner and Sherman, The
following reply was suggested by Senator Sum-
her, and accepted by Senator Abbott
WASHINGTON, ID. c., April &c, 1S69.-Hon. j.
{. Abbott, United States Senator:--Sir-I have
no hesitation in at once replying to your note of
this morning, just received, that the paragraph
of my speech referred to was written and in
manuscript some time before it was delivered in
the Senate, and before you participated in the
debate and therefore was not intended to apply
to you. Your obedient servant,
w. SPRAGUE.
The following letter. in response to the above,
closed the correspondence in a manner satisfac-
tory to all concerned
WASHINGTON. D. c., April 26, 1S69.-Hon
William Sprague-Sir:-I have pleasure in
acknowledging your letter of this date, which
shows teat / had misconceived your language
My allusion to You afterwards in the Senate was
founded on misconception, and | ask you to
consider it as unsad,
am, sir, very respectfully
JOSEPH G. ABBOTT
1t may be stated that, on Friday or Saturday
Senator Anthony called upon Senator Abbot
and begged him to desist from committing VIC
lence on Senator SRrague.