National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-02-13
THE CORRECT VERSION.
An Explanation from Hon. Alex.
ander n. Stephens.
What Really Occurred In the Committee.
Room - Subsequent Correspond dence-
An Apologize Letter from Senator
GOrdon-Mr. stephens Accepts
the Apology, but Denies
the Provocation.
The Gordon-stophens Emouto.
TO The Editor of The National Republican:


To The Editor of The National Republican:
SIR: notice in the Star of Wednesday the
following statement:
THE GoRpoN.STEPHENs DIFFIcutTY.-The heated
discussion between Senator Gordon and Repro
sentative A. II. Stephens which took place before
the Senate Census Committee a few DAYS ago has
led to correspondence between the gentlemen,
but not Of bellgercnt or unfricndly tone. Mr..
stephens gave out to newspapers the statement
that General Gordon shook his fist In his (StO.
phensl face md threatened to hold him person
ally responsible for some ut,crances. \ Sdr re.
porter to-day made inquiries among those who
were present at the discussion, including members
OF the committee, rs to what really occurred be-
tween MGssrs Gordon and stephens These
which was described as follows: Mr.. stephens said
he had heard that Gordon wanted cx xMarshal
Smythe appointed supervisor, and that was his
motive for fighting Simmons Finally when
Stephens had persisted In his refusal to give his
authority for this, and after General Gordon had
PRONOUNCED IL untrue the latter said 10 stephens:
by refusing to give your author you make your
self responsible Tor what have assured you was Il
alsehOod," words to that effect. The discussion
was all excited one, aud cxasperating things wero
said on both sides, but tho several gentlemen who
were present assured the star reporter that General
Gordon made no sort Of personal demonstration
against Mr.. Stephens Senator Gordon Yesterday
addressed II note to Mr. stephens, disciaiming an Y
Intention of being personally offensive and saving
that he only meant to advise Mr. Stephens that by
concealing the author of slundcr he made himself
morally responsible, etc.
Please allow ME to say that 1t is utterly un.
true that gave out to any newspapers the
statement that General Gordon shook his fist
in my face, or that l ever said one word to
anybody about what occurred at the meeting
of the Senate Census Committee, on last Fri.
day, between General Gordon aud myself out
side of tho persons present on that occasion
until / saw what purported to be very full
report of the discussion before that committee
in tho Baltimore San of last Saturday. The
persons present were four members of the SEN
ate Committee, Senators Gordon aud Hill, of
Georgia, with Representative Hammond and
myself. The doors were closed aud all others
excluded. / considered the meeting entirely
private. l had no idea that any publicity
would ever be given to anything said there,
and, therefore, said nothing myself to anybody
about it, except to some of those present. To
my utter surprise, however, l saw the report
referred to In the Baltimore SIN the next day,
which was altogether one-sided and, consd-
cred, very unjust to myself.
Immediately wrote to the Augusta (Ga
Eceaing Ne,CS, over my own hand, and gave
corrected version of several parts of that re-
port. portion of that letter to the Eseaiag
News l wish you to publish. 1t is in these
words:
.. During the whole meeting, which lasted over
two hours witnessed no excitement or ill-temper
on the pnrt OF any one, except General Gordon.
Alter stating very clearly and briefly my views
upon the objections to the confirmation Of Mr. Sim
mons General Gordon replied in Il manner and
tone which exhibited quite as much ill-tcmpcr us
bad manners. In my reply to him, which was not
nt all IN the tone and manner exhibited by him,
but without the least personal feeling, he inter
rupted me IN the course of my remarks by some
matters which led to the alteration stated in the
dspntch This. as set forth in the dispatch is not
correct. In one OF his interruptions he said In u
blustetlng manner, that he had heard that had
said something about him, which deem II un.
necessary here TO repeat. | replied in the most
courteous and good humorcd manner;
"(,lnarul | A. hpupl ynra IA i'm,
the nomination Of Major Smythe."
This was only Intended us an Offset TO what he
said lie had heard.
1t was then he arose with a good deal of excite
ment and demanded the name of my informant
replied that this is not the OCCASION or time TO
answer that question: we can talk over these mat
terS elsewhere"
General Gordon replied. mo, 1t is best to settle
II right here where the statement is made"
said: This Is not the place for settling any
matters of this sort You suid that you had heart
of something had said about you in this matter.
and replied 10y stating what had heard about
you" considered this barely rs an olIict to what
he had said without intending anything discour
toous either in tone or manner
General Gordon then said, under great excite
ment: Then pronounce II an infamous, informal
fllsehood from whoever it may come and shall
hold you personally responsible for it,"
To this replied in the same manner and tone
had observed through the whole discussion, Gen
erGl hold myself responsible 10 You tor the truth
of what have assertcd-th0t H. what have heard
of your position in this matter but this Is no tinu
or place to handy words about it. We can settle
this elsewhere" then went on with my address TO
the committee without further interruption ana
concluded In urging that the Objectionable words
in Mr. simmons letter OF application about cor.
rupt secession traitors" was not intended by him
to apply 10 secessioniSs generally but 10 those who
had denounced and cursed him tor giving Hayes
and Wheeler tickets 10 cOlored voters ~ the last
election, and that no such insult to the Southern
people generally was intended, ns has been argued
by General Gordon. Upon all matters pertaining
TO the discussion referred to, lorboar saying any.
thing at present
This is a correct version, as l understand it,
as to some matters referred TO in the Sidr.
Yours, most respectfully,
ALEXANDER II. STEPHENS
AIR lnRnnN no ,In srLan.I.Aru