The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-10-23
CUMMING AND McDuFFIE.

CUMMING AND NcDU FIFE.
Conduct OF GEoneE McDurFis, Esq. in
relation to an intended meeting be-
tween himself and Col. Winiam Cum.
ming with some illustrative referen
ces TO former affair between the same
parties. Ccnciuded.J
The reasons assigned for refusing post
|ponement are not less contemplate, than
the refusal was base. Mr.. M'Duhy it
appears was unwilling to subject his
friends to inconvenience, by detention
OF twenty four hours yet on Sunday, he
had offered to make an appointment in
Tennessee, the nearest border of whicl
was seventy miles distant, and attainabIe
only by one Of the worst roads in the u
MON. From intelligence procured on the
spot, IL was evident that under ordi
nary circumstances, his friends, arler a
meeting in that state, could not have re-
turned TO s. Carolina, before the evening
ofthe 9th while by the delay demanded,
they would not have been detained beyond
the morning Of the 9Th. So much in
| mere argument, for what could in itself
be more impairment, than TO set the con-
! uenience of his friends in competition
with the grave considerations urged by his
antagonist! He pretended, that there
would be less danger of interruption, on
the day appointed, than on the next
Such was not the state Of the case unless
he had done something to produce it,
The lapse Of one day could have made no
material difference, and if any, would
rather have diminished, than increased
| the probabilities ofinterruption Besides
he was expressly TOLD, THAT we did not con-
| slider him responsible for the acts of third
persons tina, ifthe inhabitants INSTRUCTED
our meeting on the fifth, times and places
| ,nough wouldstill remain f., the satisiac,
ton demanded. Will Mr.. M'Duffie have
| the goodness TO reconcile his argument
on this head, with the general declaration
IN his address 4to the public" of having
Perceived unqucstionable Information,
| that no efforts would be made to prevent
the meeting at the place originally desig
mated 20 Col. Montgomery's note of
the Il ST OF Sept. clearly exposes the shall
low bubble OF a presumption, that the
parties were prepared the time original
Iy appointed. MIR. M'Duffie's reasoning
on that point would have been precisely
| as valid if had broken an arm or leg
IN Sunday since all previous presump-
tons would Just as much have re-
manned in that event, as after the actual
| occurrences, which were not less notori
GUS TO him than myself In his las: com
nunication we were informed, that 1t he
thought 1t necessary, be might urge on
his side stronger reason than any, which
could be possibly advanced on mine. -
This is amusing enough lie had alrea.
10y stopped from tho sublime dignity OF his
sunques,ionabIe righl'' so far az 10 adduce
larguments, and those of fimsiest texture:
if he had better, why were they not pro-
duced? file would have preserved more
consistency by assigning no reasons at all
than by commencing a discussion, and
then declaring that he would prosecute Il
no further, though his strongest arsumen
was still in reserve. Such conduct only
evinces the infatuation of that petty craft
which turns so often in its flight, as M
longer to perceive when it crosses its OWL
track.
But it seems that assuming lofty tone
(, he would not be "forced from the posi-
ton" he had assumed-instead of homes,
!. " running, he fancied he should be abb
to strut out OF Danger. He violates hi
engagements in the grossest manner, re
fuses any decentralization, and when hi
paltry sophisms are refuted, will not pre-
iuce his strong reason because he deem
1t unnecessary. This is what he calls
Northumberland to be forced from h
position. Yes ! his position was that Of
D cowardIy quibbler, and he zuas determil
: ed neither to be forced nor persuade
3 from it. IF there had been one princip
;s OF honor or courage in his bosom, it mu
have been awakened by the last comm
a nication OF col. Montgomery. We
- not then think so meanly of him, as
suppose it would be Intellectual. pa
-, -, ticuarly request the reader to exami
at that note, and if after perusing it, he c
at acauit Mr.. McDuffie, have nothing Fl
thcr to say.
me Had suffered imputatioDs so CALI
Tor as those which were cast upon my q
;agonist, and couDtenanced at least by I
~ deniable facts, | should have made a
rn- sacrifice rather than run the risk of /
ngg ing an opportunity to yindicate my CT
tn. racer. But the world has not den
ion me the possession of so common quaI
de as personal hrmDess--no person has {
ni' putcd my courage but MIR. McDu
,ro' himseli,wliois evidently a very great C
,sss noisscur and high authority in such III
Of tiers. My object was not 10 gain repr
8 tion hat tn chastise q vulgar insoie,