The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-26
Col. Mcclure Interviewed.
Col. Forney Asked to Testify.
senator Wilson ForGetful Of His Promise to
Give the Whole Truth-McClure Explains
the Resignation Correspondence-It
was nm After-Thousht tn Break
the Fall-Cameron's Wit
nesses Reviewed.


testimony Of Senators Cameron, Chandler, Wade,
and Ramsey, and Of Chief Justice Chase, to shield
Cameron from the charge OF dismissal from the war
Department. AS this part OF the article makes
direct issue between Senator Wilson and Colonel
Mcclure, our reporter called upon the latter this
morning and after the usual greetings the follow
ing conversation substantially transpred:-
Reporter-Have you seen Senator Wilson's article
In the Atlantic for October?
McClure-Yes noticed it In Colonel Forney's
paper few days ago. Had Colonel Forney been at
home it certainly would not have been published
without an editorial correction, for he knows that
Cameron was forced into the Lincoln Cabinet by
mean bargain that fraud upon Mr.. Lincoln;
and he knows, also, that Cameron was forced out of
the Cabinet by the unanimous demand of loyal Con-
gressmen, of loyal financial men, Of loyal people
indeed, everybody but contractors and plunderers
and Colonel Forney knows, also, exactly how Came
ron retired, and how Lincoln, in his unbounded
kindness and charity, agreed to allow correspond
ence to be manufactured after Camerons removal
but antedated to break his fall before an indignant
nation upon whose blood and sacrifices he was
speculating
Rep-Would Colonel Forney have corrected the
statement OF Senator Wilson, if he had been home
do you suppose?
McC-I can't say that he would have done so;
but as he knows the truth, and common justice to
his readers and to himself requires that i should be
told under the circumstances would not be so un-
charitable as to assume that Colonel Forney would
not have vindicated his manhood by vindicating
the truth Of history.
Rep.-Is not Colonel Forney now Cameron's
friend?
McC.-Not at ALL nor is Cameron his friend.
Forney can never respect the man who debauched
Lebo, Maneer, and Wagonseller from him in 1851 and
defeated him for Senator; nor for debauchlng the
Republican Legislature OF 1867, and he supposes,
defeating him again, although Forney really had
nobody for him at that time but himself, and he
f7nnier ful will ha for do
claring ON the floor of the Senate that Forney
defaulter, when Cameron knew that he was not one.
Do not apprehend that Forney will ever be Came
rons friend. He may profess to be so, and may dine
Cameron and wine him. and 6atter him in his news
papers; but Forney deceives neither himself nor
Cameron. Both perfectly understand that there is
sincerity In it, and they will soon break up again,
whenever one or the other can find more profitable
associations and each will truthfully eXclaim 'poor
devil" to the other, as Of old.
Rep.-But you expect Colonel Forney to state
the facts relative to Camerons removal from the
Cabinet?
McC.-Perhaps not now; but 1t is only question
OF time. 1t will come in flaming capitals and
double-leaded articles byand-by It's Of little con-
sequence when it comes; the country can wait for
that testimony, for in the meantime others as well
advised will speak, and the truth will not be en-
dangered. / have written Colonel Forney on the
subject, and will probably hear from him shortly.
Rep.-Wil you allow ne to see the letter you adj
dressed to him?
McC-Not now 1t may be necessary to publish
it some time but not yet.
Rep.-How do you explain Senator Wilson's
course?
McC.-Oh! it's not much out of the natural course
OF things these days. Senator Wilson wants to do
as nearly right he dare but he has his share of
inhrmtes His passion is the Vice. Presidency, and
he is simply bidding through Cameron for the Penn
sylvania delegation. In Washington, Cameron has
power, because Grant, in forgetfulness of himself,
has surrendered the patronage OF the State to him.
Washington is the last place to learn the will of the
people, and Wilson is deceived by Cameron's preten-
sions of popular power into the belief that he is
conrting the man who can give him the State. He
will be wiser before long, but it's his funeral
and he has a right to have it his own way.
Rer.-Did you expect such article from Mr.
Wilson?
McC.-On the contrary, ! had Mr. Wilson'S as
surance, after the appearance OF his first article
some months ago, that If he FELT called upon to refer
to the Cameron matter again, he would state the
fact that Lncolns letter, delivered to Cameron by
Chase, notifying him OF the appointment of Stanton
regarded by Chase as Objectionable offensive
in Tone and that the letter subsequently published
as from Lincoln to Cameron was not the original
letter on that subject Wilson assured me that
Chase had admitted to him. after the publication OF
his first article, that the letter to Cameron was
modified and he did not pretend that there had been
any letter of resignation from Cameron at the time
tlldSe utllNeTeu tIJeT COuleSS JndJ Was
greatly surprised to find Mr.. Wilson entirely for
getful OF his new information, which he admitted
when conferred with bin on the subject, and still
more surprised to find him entirely forgetful of his
voluntary pledge to me TO state the whole truth,
should he write again on the subject.
Rep.-Did you not see the letter from Lincoln
delivered to Cameron by Chase?
McC.-I did / saw it and read it carefully In
Camerons presence and Cameron was most violent
in his denunciation of Lincoln for removing him
without notice At the same time it was suggested
10 Cameron that Lincoln could be induced to allow
him to antedate kind letter OF resignation and
write kind acceptance Of it, thus giving his re-
moVa the appearance OF a voluntary resignation
The proposed arrangement was agreed upon, was
carried out, and the correspondence was thus manu-
featured after Camerons dismissal. Lincoln always
dealt humaney with crushed cuprits, and there was
no reason why he should make Cameron an eXcep
tion TO the rule OF his life.
Rep.-What have you to say about the testimony
Wilson gives TO support Cameron?
McC.-It don't need much explanation. The
first letter is Cameron's. No rogue ever drew the
halter on himself That testimony needs neither
explanation refutation. Chandler doubtless wrote
his letter in "the hole in the wall" He evidently
meant 10 make 1t satisfactory to Cameron, but from
some cause he oblivious, and he blundered upon
fearful truth "Before Cameron resigned" says
Chandler, 'he invited me to breakfast at his house,
TO meet Edwin M. Stanton, whom had then never
met, and told me that the gentleman was to meet
had been nominated for Secretary OF War at his
quest.n III Cameron had Stanton nominated before
he resigned, am at loss to know just when he did
resign What / charge is that Cameron resigned
after he was removed, ana Chandler unwttingly
confirms it, Wade is old and petulent, and has been
Inudded by three defeats in one year; for Senator
or President and for Vice President apd ne con-