Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-10-02
From the Green Mountain Argus.

MIR. Editor "A friend has called nv
attention to an editorial article in your last
paper, In which it is asserted-for what
purpose l have not yet learned--that a
southern member of'Congress had insult
ed me by splitting in my face. without my
resistance or resentment. deem it prop-t
er 10 correct the misrepresentation for two
reasons. There ale those who are dis
posed to make the supposed fact that was
thus insuIled, without resistance, a matter
of reproach, while there are others who
have made il the occasion of high COM
incubation. | deserve neither the praise |
nor the censure.
1t is not true that was thus insulted. |
A southern member, who had made
wanton personal attack upon me. on the
floor, in debate, and 10 whom | had re-
pied with some severity, having armed
himself with dirk and pistols, met me on
the day following, as | was going into the
house, and spit al me, at the same moment
retiring ten or fifteen feet and putting his
hand on his dirk. Instead Of following
and classifying him, l deliberately walk
ed into the house.
Ii was evident, from subsequent disclos-
ures, that it was his intention 10 provoke
me to attack him, and then take my life,
as he had prepared himself with the means
OF doing. If be had, rs il is asserted,
spit in ing face and stood his ground, |
should probably have so far forget myself
as to have struck him and involved N.Y.
self in the glory of fight. But he did
not succeed in his attempt, and did not,
therefore, provoke me TO folly.
These are the facts. In stating them,
| take the occasion to add. that | should
have esteemed it among the most truly
| honorable and praiseworthy acts of my
! life, TO have treated just such an insult as
you suppose aoas offered me, precisely as
did the abortive and cowardly attempt
which was made to ofrtr it. | might, in
deed, follow up, and attempt to chaslise a
man who should thus insult me, and meet
with the applause, perhaps of large por-
ton Of the community. But wha. would
that applause be worth to me, while |
should feel the oppressive consciousness
Of having laid aside the profession make
OF supreme regard to the injunc,ions, and
the example, of Him, who when he was
reviled, reviled not again, and when ne
suffered, threatened Dot2 How can
make pretensions of living under the con-
trolling influence Of Christian Principle,
while | suffer an insult TO fill me with
rage, and drive me 10 violence-in other
words, while | cherish the false honor
which gives efficacy TO the duelling code.
and has drenched the world in blood p
When | am prepared 10 abandon nv
Christian profession, and expunge from
the code OF Christian morals lis chief gIo-
ry-forbearance under iniuries-lhen,
and not till then, shall | be ready 10 do
what am. unjuslIy, both commended and
reproached for not doing, in The case to
which you have referred
WILLIAM SLADE.
August Both, 1889.
The foregoing is copied into the Telegraph for
two reasons.
l. 10 correct an erroneous impression in relation
to the facts in the case-so far as they had in any
shape and by any means cone to the knowledge of
the readers Of the Telegraph The erroneous
statements were circulated in the papers before nv
connection with the Telegraph
2. am happy to let il be known thar YIN
Shades sentiments are on the side of peace
will only add that hope he may never fall in
to such temptation as he fears he should not have
had sufficient strength to resist; bat that If he
should yet be so tempted, he may have strength
to carry his principles fully into practice.
( |