The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-23

an objection 70 the admission Of California On account
Of her anti-savery constitution
IT. alter laying mo such interview OF Msssn
Toombs. ClInpman and mvseli ever took place with
General Taylor" Mr. Stephens had informed u what
the Of that interview really Was any reilly from
me would have been unnecessary. might fairly
assume that Mr. Stephens intended to say that atths
time referred TO those three gentlemen did not have
an interview with General Taylor But prefer. in
stead OF questioning Mr.. stephens veracty. 70 as
sumo that he did not feel called upon tell the whole
truth
In turning out Of Pennsylvania avenue on the 90
cason referred 20 met Messrs Toombs Stephens and
Chrgman coming from the White House knew
those gentlemen rs whC members OF Congress, had
met them frequently at Washington and el-ewhere
and with Mr.. cingman my relations were intimate
They passed me with simple uod OF recognition On
my way up stairs met the Hon. Mr. HanIin, who
stopped long enough 70 say that l should 1nd the
President much excited General Taylor when en-.
tered hts room, walking rapidly to and fro. After
nquring whcther mad met tho three gentlemen named
he proceeded, in excited manner and IN strong
language to relate what had passed between them and
himself They came, he said, 10 talk with him about
his policy upon The pending snvery questions and upoI
being informed that he would approve any constitu-
tional bill that Congress might pass, and exc
dissolution OF the Union; in reply TO which
he formed them that II IL became y in exc
cutting the laws he would take command Of tho army
himself and that II they were taken In rebellion
against the Union he would hang them with less 70
uctance than ne had hung desercrs and spies 10
Mexico When the President grew more calm he TOOK
his seat and remarked that tho ultra members OF Con-
gress from Southern States presumed upon his &C.
quiescence IN their views account Of MS being
Southern man aud STAKEHOLDER; that before he had
been placed position that made IL his duty 10 ex-
anime both sdos OF the question he had entertained
expressed views differing widely from his then sem
tments. Relying on the assurances OF distinguished
Southern statesmen that the North aggressive
and that the compromisers OF tho const ution were
IN danger he had written letter to his son-in-law,
jefferson Davis saying that no ready 10 stand With
the South maintaining all the guarantees Of the con-
stilution but that. It had bcrome his duty to
look carefully into the merits Of the controversy he
had satisfied himself that the exacons and purposes
OF the south aggressive and dangerous He added
that he regarded Jefferson Davis the chicf conspi
rator in the scheme which had been Enumerated by
Messrs. Toombs Stephens and Clingman.
Vice President Wilson, IN The second volume OF his
"kise and Fall OF the Slave Power in America page
259 gives following a Mr. Hanlin's statement Of
MS interview with the President on the occasion re-
ierr ed to-
.Mr Hamln, then democratic Senator from Maine,
states that, making business call upon the President
be met Toomns. stephens and Clingman just retiring
IRON interview On entering the Presidenrs room
he found him walking door, greatly excited and In.
dignanL He told Mr. Hamln that the men who had
just retired had been making demands concerning tho
policy OF his adm nstraiion accompanied with intima
tons that the South would mol submit unless they
were acceded He accompanied this statement with
the declaration that there were any such tre ason lbe
demonstrations on the part oil the Southern leaders
people he would put 1t down oy the Who'll, power
OF the government, II he obliged put him.
self at the head Of tho army 10 do II"
The fact OF an interview between Messrs. Toombs,
Stephens and Chngman with the President at the time
referred 10 being now established 'by the mouth Of
two Witnesses" is II incumbent upon Mr Stephens,
who volunteers to say that mo such interview ev~r
took place." to inform the readers o. tho HRRAtD n
an explanatory letter what the and chArne.
ter Of that interview? M nv
Mr.. Stephens it will be seen. gives apparent con.s
diction to my statements BY saying, II do
know that and my colleague Mr. Toombs, favored
the admission of California free State under her
then constitution during The whole Of that stormy
session.. Now let see by reference 10 the debates
how far Mr. Stephens rs sustained IN his avermenL
The session OF ls4o and 1850, from its commence.
ment until the death OF General Taylor in july.
one OF unprecedented excitement. An Issue bel ween
free soil and slavery extension was made upon the
question Of choosing Speaker, resulting In dvson
among the wig members, i've sousnern whlss
Insing te vote Tor Mr. wiutarop snuSlng the stormy
<1haaes o. thag session Mr. stephens etains hal his
Sogue, Mr. ToomUs. and himset sssvyreu tine adj
Of California with o rec constitution How
Var T. neertion is sustained by tho record Will b.
seen by tn following cxtracls:-
Mr. Ioo,ubs said -l do not hesitate TO avow before
this House and the country and in tue presence Of
living Cod that By your legislation you drive
from the Territories and to abolish slavery in thu
district am for disunioa (; and u my physical cour
age be equal to the OF my convictions Of
rights and duty Will devote all and ali have "a
lis contamination"
The Hon. E. D. Baker, OF Illinois, replied to Mr.
Toombs: -"lt mournul spectacle to a true minded
when threats OF dsunion fierce and BITTER draw
forth shots Of applause triumphant II disunton
were glory. 10 the name Of the men Of the North,
so rudcy attacked, and speak ng what know 10 be
their sentiments, say that dissolution Of this Union
is, DO, shall be impossible long American
heart beats American bosom or tho Almighty
sends HIS wisdom and his goodnsss guide and bless
Us"
To this the Hon. Alexander Stephens responded
~ Tell that gentleman, whether he believes It or not
and whether the people believe It not that day
In which aggression Is consumma,ed any orton OF
the country this Union IS solved He closed by
indorsing fully and unequvocally the speech Of
Toombs a4N
Twelve years atterward, whlo Mr.. Stephens was in
open rebellion. as Vice President OF q Southern Con-
fcderacy General Baker vnlicated tho patriotic sen
he had avowed In Congress by the sacrifice OF
his Lie at Balls Bluff
might now saIey leave the readers OF the HERALD
decide The ,csion OF veraciy Mr. Stephen
and myself, having proved by Senator Hamlin the
truth OF my statement relating TO stormy interview
between Mcssrs. Toombs, Stephens, Cllngman and
General Taylor. and having also shown by quotations
from the Congressional Record that both Mr. stephens
and Mr. roombs during the session Congress referee
to. vehemen.y threatened dissolution Of the Union.
But will deal less dangerously with Mr. Stephen
than he has With mo. The political storm subsidized
with the death OF General Taylor. Vice President
E.ll. 49,