The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-01-13
WHAT WAS IT THEN?

pressed.
WHAT WAS IT THEN?
Mr.. Sherman said from motives OF
delicacy he should have abstained from
taking any part in this discussion, but for
the fact that gentlemen on the other side
took the ground that this was personal
controversy between two citizens. He
knew it would surprise General Sherman
to learn that 1t was supposed he had any
personal controversy with Mr.. Davis, for
he stated he did not know him. He
simply, in view OF certain historical facts,
characterized Mr.. Davis as q conspirator
and traitor. This was no more per-
sonal controversy than It would be q per.
sonal controversy with the descendants OF
Aaron Burr to apply similar epithets to
their ancestor. II the facts disclosed by
General Sherman that members Of this
Senate met in private room and sent
three OF their number mot two as errone-
ously stated by Mr.. Hawley), viz: Messrs.
Siidell, Mallory and Davis to make arrange
ments for the establishment. OF Confed-
eracy whilst other Senators remained here
TO carry on legislation-if that was not a
conspiracy, in the name OF God what was
lit?
Ic (sherman) had seen the original OF
Mr.. Stephens letter to Herschei v. John
son, and knew it TO be Mr.. Stephens
handwriting. That letter sustained Gen.
eral Sherman's assertions as to Mr.. Davis
change OF mind in regard to State rights as
did the secret message OF Mr.. Davis to the
Confederate Congress now for the first
time published.
Mr.. Lamar said the issue between these
two distinguished men, Mr.. Davis and
Gen. Sherman, was not the issue stated by
the Senatorirom Ohio. The issue was this:
Gen. Sherman, led away by his feelings,
stated he had seen letter from Jefferson
Davis to Il Senator now on this floor, as
serting that ii q certain State should secede
from the Confederacy he would put that
down by military force. That statement
was false and this was the issue. He con-
cluded by saying that no man in his pres
ence should call Mr.. Davis traitor with
out his stern and emphatic denial.
uAwLEY's REMARKS.
Mr.. Hawley did not coincide with the
view that by passing the resolution the Sem
ate would be taking sides in a private
quarrel. Personally, however, he did not
hesitate TO say that in the controversy be-
tween Jefferson Davis and General Sher-
man he lIawley) was on General sller-
man side aii the time. lie believed Gen.
eral Sherman was on the right side, per-
sonally politically and military, in the
war for the Union.
Mr.. Harris inquired what good would
be accomplished by. merely printing the
paper feferred to in the resolution.
aIr. Hawley said in reply there was q
matter in 1t that in his mind established
beyond controversy the fact that before
the war there had been a conspiracy in
Washington, by which certain Senators
had decided upon a Confederate govern
ment. They had appointed q committee
OF Senators to 60 South to attend the pre-.
lliminary steps for its formation and agreed
| that others should remain here TO prevent
such legislation as might interfere with
the success Of the conspiracy. The mat
ter under consideration was no more q
personal quarrel than the four years war
Tor the Union had been personal quar-
rel"
Mr.. Vest said Gen. Sherman had stated
he would make his reply to Davis through
the War Department, OF course, there
fore, the paper was in part personal con-
troversy.
Mr.. vEsr's FINE RHETORIC.
Mr.. Vest said the Senator from Kansas
(Ingalls) could indulge in no debate with
out becoming personal; that Senator was
verbal horror, and an oral terror. One Of
the ottenses known to the old common
law was that Of being a common seold,
the punishment for which was ducking.
He Vest would not, however, prescribe
such punishment for the Senator from
| Kansas. In the Confederate States, Mr..
Vest continued were dead soldiers who
fought for the Confederacy and those who
fought for the Union, who sleep side by
side, having illustrated with matchless
deeds OF yalor and heroism both sections,
Above them might be put the ancient
epitaph
Their swords are rust,
Thclr souls with God. we trust,
and with that there should be an end Of
the acrimonious ulhCukslOn OI tHe ISSUES
Involved in that terrible conflict. But the
Senator from Kansas sought TO impute TO
the Senators disloyalty to the oath they
had taken to the Constitution OF the
United States. The Senator bad said that
he (Vest) had been in the habit Of allud.
ling in spirit Of boastfumess to the fact
that he had been member oil the Conted-
crate Senate. It was not true. The rec
ords would show he had made such allus-
lions upon only two occasions, once in his
eulosy upon Senator Hill, with whom he
had served in the Confederate Senate, and
again to-day In order TO answer the full
share Of responsibility which was sought
| In certain quarters To be put upon Davis.
The Senator from Kansas had said that
he (Yest) was never accredited 10 the
Confederate Senate. He Vest had re.
ceived his credentials from Governor OF
the State OF Missouri, elected by major
| ity Of So, 900 in time Of peace, and his
election was by o Legislature elected in
time OF peace. He, would say tothe Sena.
tor from Kansas that his Vests creden-
a ~ HnsfnJn.nkn Gnaaka alu0