Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-22

flight, for it was plain that the solve branch"
would not be accepted on any terms. Staff
officers about the President share his feelings
IN the matter, and one of them, Gen. Bah
cock, is reported to have gone so far as to
declare it he were not officially connected
with the executive, he would subject Sumner
to personal violence. This whole matter
creates a great deal of talk among those who
have been aware of its extent and nature.
Mr.. Sumner then said IF there was any
reason to believe this statement would bt
confined to the newspaper in " hich find it,
do no; know that I-should call attention to
it, but was apprised last evening that Il
statement of this character would be made by
elegraph, and was asked to give some sane
ton to it, | replied at once that nobod,
would have authority from me, nor would !
say word on the subject to anybody, ana
last evening and the evening before | wa
approached in the same way, and ZACH tim'
gave the same answer. l now find thu
stateme mt published, and as have reason to be-
lieve it is communicated extensively over th'
country, deem it my duty SO far as am con
cerned TO set the statement right. In tn,
fiits place, there is allegation that Mr.. Sum.
ner has attacked the President in executiv,
sessions of the Senate. appeal TO my asso
ciatcs in this chamber, one and ALL ! APP
and ask him to say to the President simply
what he said to me personally yesterday, witt
regard to this allegation. l have never
al uded to the President in executive session.
except in the most respectful kindness, and
challenge anybody 10 say to the contrary. ]
have criticized acts Of his as a Senator was
obliged 10 do If. So much for that. Then
comes generality. to which will not allude.
simply on account of its vagueness. Ipro-
coed to the next point. (keading.) "fh'
President added that on some of these occa-
siOns Mr.. Sumner had attributed dishones,
motives to him." Never. | challenge every
citizen of this republic from one end OF tn,
country to the other, wherever have been.
| challenge every Senator to testify on that
point. | know too well his position and my
own to make any such impeachments then.
as to what l have said to the President going
back to this allegation which is so vague. ]
have summoned one witness, the SenatoL
from Indiana, Mr.. Morton. l now summon
two others, and hope my voice will reach
them wherever they may be. One is the
Secretary of State and the othca the Secre-
rary of the Treasury, both members Of tn,
Cabinet, and have this to say-that hav.
written to the Secretary of State words Of tn,
President, and of his acts, as strong at leass
as any have ever expressed in the mos,
private intercourse, anu diii lilCIlLcu W
think stronger, have said in society, in the
presence of the Secretary of the Treasury,
hard things of the President. and he know
whether they could in any way justify this
imputation. | do not seek in any way to IN
volve these distinguished friends, but sum
mon them to tell the President what have
said of him.
The Senate proceeded with the regular
order of business. ..
House..
Mr.. Jones, of Kentucky, rising 10 personal
explanation, replied to articles in yesterdays
New York Times commenting unfavorably on
resolution and preamhle referring to am
nesty, which he offered last Monday. He de-
clared that he had always opposed secession.
and that preamble to his resolution had mere
ly aimed at stating clearly and succinctly a
historical fact He had offered the resolu-
ton on his own responsibility and without
consultation; but had no idea that it could BE-
construed in any way injurious to the cause
OF universal amnesty, Of which he was in IA
yor, and which he hoped the present Congress
would enact a law.
Resolutions were adopted instructing the
Committee on Ways and Means to inquire
into the expectancy of repeating all laws au-
thorizing or compelling the use of meters in
distileries and refundiDg sums heretofore
paid for them.
House adjourned.