The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-07-24
HON. H. b. CRANSTON.
From the Providence Courier.

TON, the Journal goes on to make out state
ment Of supposed facts connected with the Cil
Icy duel, the appointment Of an investigating
committee, and the vote Of Mr.. Cranston OF
the affair between Messrs. Wise and Ghelson
But all this has nothing TO do with the point a
issue- We care not who was most to blame
Ii is sufficient for us to know that the due
was a murderous deed, a pdlpdbe rotation Q
the lars of God in which all concerned wer'
10 blame. We care not how many wings o.
how many any thing else voted for or agaIns
an investigation. We say, no one who albion
the murderous crime Of duelling should have
voted against il; and it is because Mr.. Grams
ton did so vote, that are opposed TO him
This is the ground We assumed at the time. II
is the ground we now occupy. And the Jour
nal, in all il has said has not yet come in con
tact with the question at all. Ithas merely at
tempted to stave it off by taking up wrong IS
ue, and now brings forward letter from Mr.
Cranston written few weeks after the duel to
friend in this city, as finishing stroke TO the
controversy. We will take look at that.
The following is that portion OF the letter
published ia the Journal:
HOUSE OF REP, WAsmISGroN, ID. G. !
April Sd, 1888. )
b. CRANsroN, Esq.
And now for my vote
in relation to the duel. was opposed to in
yestigaton, because in the first place, all the
circumstances were known to us, and thought
no good would come fom il, and the House
was in such a state of excitement, that IL iDves-
tigation was proper, 1t were better to postpone
il for week, to give time for the passions Of
members TO subside.
And it was known to the friends Of Mr. Gil
ley that this duel was TO take place indeed IT
was known 20 the whole House at ~ O'Clock
IN Safurdav HAITI they were poinp mt. and no
measures were taken TO prevent il, and pending
the correspondence, Mr.. Cilley, in company
with some members Of Congress, was PRACTICES
ing with the rife, and the challenge was not
accepted ill Mr.. CiIley's accuracy as marks
man was ascertained.
And heard one of his friends say, on Sat
urday that Mr. CilIey was the best rifle shot
in the country; that at eighty yards he hit
eleven times within space which could he
covered by mans hand.
This fact was circulated through the House,
and no measures taken to prevent the she'd
ding Of blood all this shows plainly enough
that Mr.. Cilley was sacrificed in the hopes Of
killing Mr.. Graves.
Again, at the same time, both Houses Of
Congress voted Mr.. Cilley the honors Of pub
lie funeral, and that the members 20 into
mourning for thirty days; all the Departments
Of the Government (except the Supreme Court,
which refused) attended him to the grave, and
yet they all knew that he had attempted to kill
Mr.. Graves, and in that attempt was killed
himself.
IL the law was to be vindicated, he who died
in violation Of the law, should not have been
buried as though he had been public bene-
factor.
lido not say these honors should not have
been paid TO him, but do say, that having been
r,ai1
censure on the other party.
| know that many voted for the investig igation,
because they thought it proper, and know
that il was voted for by others from fear of pub
lie sentiment and know that it was voted for
by many from party motircs yes, many of
those members who uniformly oppose all inter
ference on the part Of the House to prevent
duelling, we're on this occasion the most clam
erous for Investigation.
am now. and always have been, ready to 90
FAR as he who would go farthest TO prevent
and punish duelling, but after paying the high
est honors to one party concerned in duel, ]
never will join any set Of men, 20 persecute and
hunt down the other party.
la great haste, and with great respect,
| am, dear sir,
Very truly yours.
II. b. CRANSTON.
As to how well Mr.. Cilley could shoot witt,
rife, how often he could hit, whether he was
killed in attempting to kill Mr. Graves, or not,
or whether honors were or were not paid TO
him after his death, those have nothing to do |
with the question. All this is precisely what a |
surviving duellist would say in justification of
himself, and amounts only to saying, my dead
antagonist, had as fair an opportunity to kill me,
as had to kill him, and as he has been honor.
cd after death, so consequently we violated no
laws in fighting. Is not this singular way TO
shuttle of the responsibility Of holding up to
the community. IN its true colors, n 'palpable'
and bloody violation of the laws of God y
But, we had forgotten-Mr. Cranstnn has not
said he so considered duclling; aud what we
have alluded to above, is merely apologetical.
But all the circumstances were known to
us'-says Mr.. G. aud the House was in a
state of excitement What thenl IL. all the
circumstances we're known to the House, there
was 50 much the better opportunity for an in
vestisation; and as TO the excitement, there
could have been no better or surcr method to
abate IL, than to give the business into the
hands Of a committee, as the event proved and
thus to take it out Of the House, TO give time
for the passions Of the members TO subsidc.'
This. Mr.. Cranston refused to do and the
only reason we could ever see for this refusal
which has any forcs. vas. that Mr.. Cilley had
fair chance according to the laws Of duelns,
aud that il was not the business Of Others TO in
tcrfere. We regret to add, that the foregoing
letter fully sustans that conviction in our mind
The most singular reason, after all. offered
by Mr.. Cranston in justification of his vote, is,
after paying the highest honors TO one party
concerned in duel, never will join any set
Of men 10 persecute and hunt down the other
party Indeed and this is principle is il -
Because, from mistaken sympathy, or from
some other motive equally incorrect, high hon. ..
ers are paid TO the dead duclist this so far dis
robes the act Of the murderous survivor of the
character Of crime, that Mr.. Cranston is per-
fectly willing to let him depart in peace. Pray,
can the Journal tell US in what part Of the laws
OF God II finds this admirable specimen of eth
nCef Than tf .ob IL 4