The New York herald., 1876-09-18

history has ever produced, supported favored IT,
"chemc Of dsunion and treason, indeed! So lar nom
looking tending dlsunion. Its object was to con-
ciliate the opposing sections and interests and pro-
mote perpetual and harmonious Union OF coequai
States. The sum and substance of Mr.. Toombs ana
my offence, according to. Mr.. Hnmlin was not our op
position to the admission of California FREQ Ssate'
but our urging upon General Taylor that line OF policy
which would not only secure this but might also
pacify the country and strengthen the Union. II we
''disunionsts," according to Mr.. Hamlin, then
were all the supporters OF the Omnibus bill" ike wise
disunonists These supporters, Is we'll known, con-
stued majority OF both houses Of Congress- nciud-
ing the purest statesmen and brightest lights OF the
Republic. Nay more IT, for in this matter
traitors, thon overwhelming majority Of
the people of tho United States also traitors
those of wenty-sc States of the Union voted In
1852 for Pierce for President who fully and cordially
indorsed these 'compromse measures" which con-
stituted the ''Omnibus BILL, while General Scott biz
opponent, who refused to indorso them, received
tho votes Of four States only Tho vote IN
the Electoral Colleges stood:-For Pierce and the
compromise measures, 254 and for Scott AZ only.
General Taylor If he had lived would most assuredy
have had big well as horrible job on his hands
too, in hanging such q host of 'traitors."
Mr. Hamlin certainly did not we'll consider his leteI
!
impeach either his veracity orintegrity, but doei
seem to me that his memory must be At fault. 1t IL
hardly possible or probable that General Taylor
could acted and spoken as he represents him. II
is, indeed almost Incredible that General Taylor
should have characterized the 'compromse measures"
OF 1850 as ''schcmo OF disunion and treason"
But the most extraordinary part OF Mr.. Weeds last
communication Is that which he links his inter.
view with General Taylor with that Of Mr.. Hamlin
HIS words follows
81 found the President, Senator Hamln left him,
walking excitedly the After inquiring
whether had met the - traitors, he related with
much feeling and in strong language what had just oc-
cured He said that they had endeavorod to intimi-
date him in tho discharge OF his duty by threats OF
disunion, and that had told them that if they at
tempted carry threats into execution he would
personally take charge OF the army, and that tho
leadcrs taken in rebellion would be hung with less
hesitation he hung spies and traitors Mexico"
Now, without assuming to assa Mr.. Weeds veracity
do most respectfully submit to him. we'll as tho public,
whether, In of numerous contcmporaneous facts,
it is probable that General Taylor could havo cx-
press ed himself to Mr.. Weed he is here represented
to have DONE II General Taylor related TO him whas
had occurred at tho interview, stated by Mr.. Ham,
lin had Mr. Toombs and urged any dsunion scheme
except the support of the Omnibus BILL tho 'com
promise measures as they wcro generally calleds
And is at all probable that he would have character
zed traitors for doing just what tho nobe band
of patriots have just referred doingf Most
men who talk writc loosely often utterly upset
In their creations fancy by single little fact 1t
Oliver Wendell Holmes, believe, who beautifully
illustrates the mshap disaster which often attends
the most brilliant con versations In this way. Tho
gorgeous bubble, with It's rainbow tints, is burst
by the simple touch Of the point Of
o fact. Now, Mr.. Weed In this statement certainly
overdid the matter Ho says that General Taylor in
formet him shat he had told them (MessrR Toombs
and Stephcns) that if they attempted to carry their
threats into execution he mould personally take
naand Of the army, and that the leaders taken IN
rebellion ,oo,d be hung soith less hestoion than he
hung spies and traitors in Merico This is certainly
highly wrought patriotic sentimont but tho gorgeous
bubble Is hero produced cannot stand the touch
single notorious fact historical In Its charac
ter-and that is, that General Taylor in his whole
campaign In Mexico never ordered the shedding O.
human blood except In tho heat Of battle This was
stated by Mr. Critcnden In a campaign speech in 1s4e
delivered at Pittsburg, Pa General Humphrey Marehal
who colonel OF regiment in his command and
who present. thus spoke on tho same subject In
campaign speech the samo yoar:-1His (Goncral Tay-
lor's conduct in sparing the descrters who cap
turcd at Bucna Vista exhibited at tho Same time in Q
remarkable manner his benov0cncC and his judgment
Don't shoot thcm,' said he; tho worst punishment
will inct is to return thcm tho Mexican army"
But, put the matter beyond all dispute letter
written by General Taylor, at Baton Rouge La, Auguss
8, 1s4s, which extensively published during tho
Presidential campaign, in which he distinctly said -
ssNot a drop of American blood shed by my ordcp
whilc in Mexico, that OF Mexican, except in the
heat OF battle" What Is to be thought of Mr. Weed'a
in view of this facts Is il at all probable
that General Taylor in short tme after this SOL
emn declaration shoud have untruthfuly boasted
of how he had hanged spies and traitors In Mexicof
/ repeat do not assail Mr.. Weeds veracity.
but do to question the accuracy Of bis NOM
ory On this point the public must judge for them
selves
said in tho outset of this controversy that should
not be led into discussion with Mr. Weed of any
questions except those growing out Of the distinct aud
isolated issue mado with him. Ho has In all his COM
muncatons, from the first, endeavored wander and
to draw into otncr and cxtraneous mattera !
thom fully my work upon tho war; and having now,
think, most clearly and completely shown his utter
failure sustain the correctness Of that statement IN
his "Unwrttcn Chapter Of History" against which
protested have nothing further add upon the sub.
jcct Tho controversy here, therefore. ends on my
part unless he shall essay to bring other proofs sus
tain his sidc OF the issue made.
Thanking you, Mr.. Editor, for tho use Of your
OF history and without feeling Of III will even
uncharita0encss toward any one, rcmain yours most
respectfully. ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.