Waterbury Democrat., 1902-05-09
FROM GRAVE TO GAY
Bitter Philippine Discussion
 Takes an Amusing Turn :.
DOILIVER AND CARMACK HAVE A TILT
1esxfor Vest Makes an Important Contribution to American Hts- tory-statehood Debate In
 the House.

WASHINGTON, May 9.-Discussion of the PhilippiSe bill in the senate, while it scarcely abated in bitterness, took an amusing phase. In a breezy speech MT. Deliver Qa) made such a good natured and yet such sarcastic arraignment of MT. Carmack Tenn.) that senators and occupants of the thronged galleries were conyulsed with laughter. While seemingly considera ble temper was aroused by the debate, good feeling was shown by the active participants in the war of words, Mir. Deliver and Mr. Carmack, who cordial ly shook hands and laughed over the encounter
 Mir. Burton (Kan) concluded the speech which he began Wednesday. He referred as instances of atrocious cruelty to the battle of Wounded Knee, to the Mountain Meadow massacre and to the massacre of Union soldiers at Fort Pillow and contended that the action of the American troops in the Philippines was in most instances en- tirelg within the regulations of civ ilized warfare.
 In response to some statements made  (Mo.) delivered forceful and effective speech and made historical contribu- ton with reference to the Hampton Roads conference between President Linccln and Confederate leaders.
 MT. Vest said, "I am today the only surviving member of the twenty-six gentlemen who acted as Confederate senator's"
 Mir. Vest then stated that what did happen at Hampton Roads beyond question was this: That when the president and Secretary Seward met the commissioners of the Confederacy MT. Lincoln, addressing himself to MT. Hunter, whom he knew well, said:
 ''In the first place, gentlemen, I de- sire to know what are your powers government" avoiding, said MT Vest, as Mir. Hunter told him himself, the words Confederate States"
 MT. Hunter, to whom the inquiry was addressed, said, MT. President, we are instructed to consider no propo- sition that does not involve the inde- pendence of the Confederate States of America"
 Then" said MT. Lincoln, "the inter- view had as well terminate now, for I must say to you, gentlemen, frankly and honestly, that nothing will be ac- cepted from the government at Rich mond except absolute and uncondition- al surrender"
 Mir Vest said that this terminated the interview, and as the Confederate commissioners retired President Lin- coin, addressing Mfr Stephens, who was the last to go out said:
 Stephens, you are making a great mistake. Your government is a fail- ure, and when the crash comes, as it soon must come, there will be chaos and disasters which we cannot now foresee which must come to your peo- ple."
 "This, account of that interview" continued Mr. Vest, substantially and almost word for word as I have given it, came to me from MT. Stephens and Mir. Hunter"
 MT. Vest said that he considered it his duty to make this statement in or der that history may not be falsified; in order that the men who were said to have refused this offer at the hands of President Lincoln should not be made to sin in their graves, adding:
 For if they had refused what was said to have been rendered to them by the president they would have been ac- cessories to the murder of every man who fell from that time in defense of the Confederate cause, and they should have given the lie to the intentions which they professed when they risk ed everything, everything that is held dear among men, in defense of the Confederate cause"
 The bill to place three new stars in the American flag had the right of way again in the house. General debate. the feature of which was an extended speech by Mir. Grosvenor (O) in oppo- sition to the measure, was closed at 8 p'clock.