The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-09

Washington, May S.-Discussion of the Philippine bill in the Senate today. while 1t scarcely abated in bitterness. took on an amusing phase. Ii breezy speech MT. Deliver Qowa) made such good natured and yet such sarcastic arraign- ment of Mir. carmack (Tenn.) that Sena- tors and occupants of the thronged gal leries were convulsed with laughter. While seemingly considerable temper was aroused by the debate, good Afeeling was shown by the active participants in the war of words-Mr. Deliver and Mir. Car laughed over the encounter.
 Mir. Burton (Kas.) concluded the speech which he began yesterday. He referred as instances. of atrocious cruelty to the battle of Wounded Knee, and to the Mountain Meadow massacre.
 In response to some statements made yesterday by MT. Tiliman, Mir. Vest (Mo) delivered forceful and effective speech and made historical contribution with reference to the Hampton Roads confer ence between President Lincoln and Con- federate leaders.
 MT. Carmack delivered d scathing de nunciation of the conduct, of military operations in the Philippines and denounc- ed General Smith. branding him as a .'scoundrel" and murderer" who had dishonored the American army and had done nothing but butcher a whole people. In a sarcastic response, MT. Deliver of Iowa scorchingly arraigned Mir. Carmack, incidentally reading an editorial from the Memphis Commercial-Appeal criticizing the Tennessee Senator's attitude on the Philippines question. Mir. Carmack's reply was of such a nature as to cause him to be called to order for statement refecting upon MT. Deliver. but the inci- dent ended in good feeling.
 MT. Vest Speaks.
 Mr. Vest (Mo.) called attention to the statement of MT. Tillman, made yesterday that at the historic conference in Hamp- ton Roads in 1864 between President Lin- coln. William H. Seward. Secretary Of State; Alexander II. Stephens. Vice. President of the Confederate States: R. M Hunter, former United States Senator and John A.. Campbell, formerly Justice of the United States Supreme Court. President Lincoln wrote upon a piece of paper. Save the Union then handing it to Stephens, said .'AIex. take this paper and fill up for yourselves the conditions of peace between the two countries"
 MT. Vest said the story had been denied by John H. Reagan of Texas, who was the last surviving member of the Con- federate cabinet. He knew personally, said MT. Vest. without having been pre- sent at that interview, that the incident was without the slightest foundation. "lf true" said he fit would place the gov- ernment and officers of the Confederate States in the category of criminals. be- cause 1t offered the Confederacy all that it ever demanded in. the widest hope of the most extreme partisans of that cause if they would only return to the Union.
 "If true 1t would mean that the Con- federates could have placed on that sheet of paper the perpetual establishment Of slavery and the right of secession, the most extreme demand that had ever taken locality even in the dream of any Confederate"
 From the lips of Stephens and Hunter had come to him, he said. the. details or what took place. Upon the return of the Commissioners of the Confederacy, he heard their official report as MT. Reagan heard 1t, he being member of the cabinet and the speaker member of the Con- federate Senate. "I am today the only surviving member of the twenty-six gem tlemen who acted as Confederate Sena- tors" he said.
 What Did. Happen.
 Mir Vest then stated that what did hap pen at Hampton Roads beyond question was this: That when the President ana Secretary Seward met the commissioners of the Confederacy. MT. Lincoln. address ing himself to Mr. Hunter whom he knew well, said: "In the first place gentlemen, I desire to know what are your powers and instructions from the Richmond Gov ernment' avording said MT. Vest. as Mir Hunter told himself. the words Con federate States" Mir, Hunter said: MT President, we are instructed to consider no proposition that does not involve the Independence of the Confederate States or America"
 "Then." said Mir Lincoln. "the inter view had as well terminate now, for I must say to you gentlemen. frankly and honestly that nothing will be accepted from the government at Richmond ex- cept absolute and unconditional sur render"
 Mir. Vest said that this terminated the interview and as the Confederate com misioners retired President Lincoln ao- dressing Stephens. who was the last 10 go out. said: stephens. you are making a great mistake. Your government is a failure and when the crash comes. as IL soon must come. there will be chaos ana disasters which we cannot now foresee which must come to your people
 This account of that interview con tinued Mir. Vest, substantially and almost word for word, as I have given it. came to me from MT. Stephens and MT. Hunter MT. Vest said that he considered 1t his duty to make this statement in order that history may not be falsifed: in order that the men who were said to have refused this offer at the hands of Presi- dent Lincoln should not be made to sir fin their graves. adding: For if they had refused what was said to have been rendered to them by the President. they would have been accessories to the mur- der of every man who fell from that time fin defense of the Confederate cause and they should have given the lie to the in' tentions which they professed when they risked everything. everything that Is held dear amongst men in defense of the Confederate cause.
 "It may be but very short time until I shall join the twenty-five colleagues I had in the Confederate Senate and ] did not want this statement to go into the record of this country without my statement of these facts and my solemn denial that here is a shadow of truth In this assertion which has been going the rounds of the newspapers of the country for the last few years
 Philippine Bill Resumed.
 The discussion of the Philippine bill then was resumed. and MT. carmach GSenn.l replying to MT. Burton. made a