Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-02-12
The Gordon-Stephens Difficulty.
NOTE FROM MIR. STEPHENS.
WASHINGTON, D. c., 18th Feb'y, !

WASHINGTON, D. c., 18th Feb'y, 1850.
Editors Of The Ndr:-I notice In your paper OF
yesterday the following statement:
The GORDON STEPHENS DIFFICULTY. The
heated discussion between Senator Gordon and
BEFORE the Senate census eommttee few days
has led to correspondence between the gentlemen,
81 e to the
that General Gordon shook his fist IN his (Ste-
porter to-day made inquiries among those who
of the committee, as to what really occurred be-
tween Messrs. Gordon and Stephens These
li Which was ID described as follows Mr. Stephens said
he had heard that Gordon wanted ex- Marshal M
hsd his refaa b lis aahory for
trne tie er sad to stephens refusing to
give your author you make yourself responsible for
to that effect The Iii. crssion was an excited one
and exasreratins things we're said on both sides,
but the several gen lemen who were present assured
The STAR reporter that Gen Gordon m made d no sort sort
OF personal demonstration against Mr. stephens
Senator Gordon yesterday addressed note to Mr..
Stephens, dsclaiming any intention OF being per-
ase Mr. tat by eeesae he hop
Of q SANDER he made himself morally responsible.
Please allow me to say that it is utterly untrue
that gave out to any newspapers the state
ment that General Gordon shook his fist in my
face. or that / ever said one word to anybody
ABOUT what occurred at the meeting OF the SEN
ate census committee on last Friday, between
General Gordon and myself outside of the per-
sons present on that occasion, until saw what
purported to be very 1ull report of the discus
sion before that committee in the Baltimore
SuI1 of last Saturday. The persons present were
four members OF the Senate committee, Senators
Gordon and Hill, of Georgia, with Representa-
tive Hammond and myself The doors were
closed and all others excluded. l considered the
meeting entirely private ! had no idea that any
publicity would ever be given to anything said
there, and, therefore, said nothing myself to
anybody about il, except to some OF those pres
ent. TO my utter surprise, however. saw the
report referred to in the Baltimore sun the next
day which was altogether one-sfded, and l con-
siGered very unjust to myself.
l Immediately wrote to the Augusta Ga.)
Ece'tt'g Netcs, over my own hand, and gave
\ portion OF that letter to the Ece'eidg Ne,os
wish yout publish. 1t is In these words:
2. During the whole meeting, which lasted over
two hours, witnessed no excitement or i'll temner
on the part of any one, except Gen. Gordon. After
stating very clearly and briefly my views upon the
objections to the confirmation of Mr., Simmons.
General Gordon replied in manner and tone which
exhibited quite as much III temper as bad manners.
In my reply to him, which was not at all in the tone
least personal feeling, he Interrupted me in the
course Of my remarks by some matters which led
set forth in the Dispatch is not correct In one of
his his interruptions he said, in clustering manner,
him, which deem it unnecessary here to repeat.
replied in the most courteous and good-humored
General. I have heard that you were favoring
the nomination of Major Smythe."
This was only intended as an offset to what he
said he had heard.
1t was, then he arose with good deal of excite
ment and demanded the name of my informant.
replied that this is not the occasion time to
answer that question; we can talk over these mat
tiers elsewhere.'s
General Gordon replied: "No; it is best to settle
it rig ht here where the statement is made.'',.
l said, This is not the place for settling any
matters of this sort. You said that you had heard
of something said about you in this matter, and
replied by stating what had heard about YOU" l
considered this barely as an Offset to what he had
said, without intending anything discorteous either
in tone or manner.
General Gordon then said, under great excite
ment: "Then pronounce it an infamous infer
nal falsehood from whoever it may come and
shall hold you personally responsible for it.
To this replied in the same manner and tone
had obse rved through the whole discussion. "Gen-
eral, hold myself responsible to you for the truth
of what have asserted-that is, what have heard
Of your position in this matter but this is time
this elsewhere" then went on with my address to
the committee without further interruption, and
concluded in urging that the Objectionable words in
Mr. simmons letter of application about corrupt
to secessionists generally, but to those who had
denounced and cursed him for giving Hayes and
Wheeler tickets to coored voters at the last election
and that such insult to the southern people gem
orally was intended, as has been argued by Gen,
Gordon. Upon all other matters pertaining to the
present.
This Is correct version, as / understand it, as
to some matters referred to in your issue of
yesterday.
Please publish the above and very much
obltge.
Yours, most respectfully,
ALEXANDER Fl. STEPHENS.