Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-05-15
Senator Burton Concludes His
Speech Begun Wednesday.
SENATOR VEST MAKES A STATEMENT


Knee, to the Mountain Meadow mas
sacre and to the massacre of unior
soldiers at Fort Pillow, and contend
ed that the action of the American
troops in the Philippines was, in most
instances, entirely within the regula'
tons Of civilized warfare.
Senator Vest, Of Missouri, called
attention to the statement of Sena.
tor Tillman, made Wednesday, that
at the historic conference in Hamp-
ton roads in 1864 between President
Lincoln, William H. Seward, secre-
tary of state; Alexander II. Stephens,
vice president Of the confederate
states; r. M. T. Hunter, former
United States senator, and John A.
Campbell, formerly justice Of the
United States supreme court, Presi-
dent Lincoln wrote upon a piece Of
paper: Save the union" then hand
ing 1t to Stephens, said: "Alexan-
der, take this paper and fill up for
yourselves the conditions Of peace
between the two countries"
Senator Vest said the story had
been denied by John H. Reagan, Of
Texas, who was the last surviving
member Of the confederate cabinet.
He knew personally, said Senator
Vest, without having been present at
that celebrated interview, that the
incident was without the slightest
foundation. III true" he said, 1T
would place the government and off,
GERS OF the confederate states in the
category Of criminals, because 1t Of
fered the confederacy all that II ever
demanded in the widest hope Of the
most extreme partisans Of that cause
II they would only return to the
union"
Senator Vest then stated that what
did happen at Hampton roads be-
yond question was this: That when
the president and Secretary Seward
met the commissioners Of the con-
federacy, Mr.. Lincoln, addressing
to- Mr.. Hunter, whom he
knew well, said I'm the first place,
gentlemen, I desire to know what
are your powers and instructions
from the Richmond government"
avoiding said Senator Vest, as Mr..
Hunter told him himself, the words
confederate states.'
Mr.. Hunter, to whom the inquiry
was addressed, said: "Mr. President,
we are instructed to consider no |
that does not involve the
Independence of the confederate
states of America
"Then,' said Mr.. Lincoln, "the in.
ferview had as well terminate now,
for | must say to you, gentlemen,
frankly and honestly, that nothing
will be accepted from the govern.
nent at Richmond except absolute
md unconditional surrender"
Senator Vest said that this termi-
lated the interview and as the con-
ederate commissioners retired Presi-
lent Lincoln, addressing Stephens,
Who was the last to 90 out, said:
Stephens, you are making a great
mistake. Your government is fail.
ire and. when the crash comes. as IL
oon must come, there will be chaos
nd disasters which we cannot now
oresee which must come to your
'eople."
"Thls account of that interview"
ontinued Senator Vest, "substan-
Tally and almost word for word as
have given 1t, came to me from
ir. Stephens and Mr.. Hunter
Senator Vest said that he consid.
red 1t his duty to make this state
,ent in order that history may not
e falsified.
The discussion Of the Philippine
III then was resumed and Senator :
armack, Of Tennessee, delivered a
,athing denunciation Of the conduct
military operations in the Philip
ines and denounced Gen. Smith,
him as "scoundrer and
who had dishonored the
merican army and had done moth
e but butcher whole people.
In a sarcastic response Senator
oliver, Of Iowa, scorchingly ar
'igned Senator Carmack, incidental
reading an editorial from the
emphis Commercial Appeal critics.
e the Tennessee senator's attitude
the Philippine question. Senator
srmack's reply was Of such ma n
ire as to cause him TO be called to 7
der for statement rejecting upon
'nator Dolliver, but the incident :
,dcd in good feeling. y
The bill to place three new stars a
the American flag had the right a
way again yesterday In the house. p
sneral debate, the feature Of which n
as an extended speech by Mr.. Gros- a
nor, Of Ohio, in opposition to the y
easure, was closed at three o'clock !,
ID the bill was then read for amend :
emit under the fve-mnute rule. An a
nendment offered by Mr.. McRae, to \
nsolidate the territories Of Okla |,