Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-03-11


aTuAr Fienr.'-Up TO this tirnc We hesc re-
Trained from any remark concerning ths unloFtu-
nate difficulty which occurred between ny. Bsin-
bridge Of the Council, and Gen. Van Ansrcrp oftlle
Reporter at Iowa City, about ten days before the
close Of the late session Of the Lcgslature, from
conviction that no good could result even from the
most correct and minute description Of the rencontr,
to say nothing Of the danger of doing injustice to the
parties by the most impartial notice OF IT. Further
more standing in the relation ola friend to each, we
have been anxious to see the matter dropped, that
friendship might the easier be produced between the
parties. The latter hope has vanished Shortly a.
ter its occurrence, correspondent OF the Hawkeyc
attempted description Oft and soon alter the at-
iournent Of the Legislature, the editor OF the Stand
ard, who had remained mute on the subject for one
week. did the same, both Of which statements were
oncsidcd, and calculated, far as believed to convey
the impression that Gen. Van Antwerp had, after re-
cciving sound drubbing, rctreaied, leaving Mr.
Bai..briJgc OIL the ground. These statements lave
been reiterated by these prints, and gained adj
li,onal circulation through the columns OF The
Davenport Gazette paper whose editor, we believe
has been seduced from path which it would be his
pleasure to follow but for the impression that his ed
ucation has heretofore kept him in sphere above
that which is acceptable 10 majority OF party upon
whose friendship and support he must rely for future
success This latter paper, after feasting upon the
fabricaons Of its unworthy coadutors, eagerly sezes
the statements of renegade Democrat concerning
the matter and gives publicity to them, which, if we
are correctly informed, arc far from the truth.
TO correct these statements, is the only reason
why we have spoken on the subject at all. So far as
the particulars have come to our knowledge, they
as follows:
Some two or three weeks before the close OF the
session, the Reporter, in remarking upon the debate
in the Council upon a proposition to compel the
Miners Bank of dubuque to resume specie payments,
gave the substance of the remarks made by some OF
the members, rejecting upon the political honesty OF
Mr. s. and expressed little Or no confidence in the
sincerity of his professions of devotion to the prncl
pies Of the Democratic party, and otherwise alluded
to his political in terms not very credltable to
his standing in political point of view. Mr.. Balm
bridge, ever since our acquaintance with him, has
protested to belong to the Democratic party, and
therefore felt injured with the use of his name. he
was the more sensitive upon the point, and his pas
sions the more readily excited because he was no,
the Council prior to its organization. Upon the ap
pcarance of the article (o:hcrs little similar having
before appeared in that paper) he expressed his dis
satisfaction with it, and expressed determination 10
give the writer an expression of his views upon tina,
matter. AT the next meeting with Gen. Van Ant
wcrp, he called his attention to it, using rough Ian
g,mge. 1t being in the Hall leading to the Council
Chamber, Gen. Van Antwerp proposed that they
walk into an adjoining room. where ti" .."''ll Inc
less liable to interruption from persons passing and
rcpassng. In this room it agreed that no cause
existed for difference that should sever friendship,
but they could not agree as to who should make the
first explanation, each contendng that properly be-
lengcd to the other While matters were thus stu.
ated they were interrupted by the entrance of some
gentlemen, when they walked into the Hail. After
| Gen V. A. cnquired Of him what he intended to DO
TO which he replied in substance that he should moi
retract the abusive language used until rctracton
| was made in the Reporter, upon which Gen. V. A.
replied that then it remained for him to retor in the
same language. Mr.. b. turning round and gaining
the head Of the stairs threatened personal chasse.
ment if the Reporter again used his name with dis
respect. The Gen. told him that perhaps it would be
as well TO do it then, whereupon Mr.. B. raised his
cane and directed blow at his head. which was re-
ceived on the arm. With the other hand Gen. V.
A. was cndcavoring to draw pistol from Ills pocket
which Mr. B. perccivng, let go the cane, (which had
been grapped with Gen. V. AS other handy and
applying both hands to the pistol, wrcstcd from him,
and walked into the Sccretarys Office, leaving his
cane in the hands Of Gen. Van Antwerp, who, short
ly afterward handed it to some gentlemen present.
This we believe to be the true statement, which will
be seen to vary far from that made by tho Standard
Hawkeye, SSc. They have aimed to cast stigma
upon Gen. Van Antwerp because Mr. Banbridgc
got his pistol in the conflict but never have thew said
word about Gen. Van Antwerp getting his cane
They have also stated that he got his face scratch
ed in the conflict but this is not the fact. IN the
scnfio his cheek was slightly bruised, but no other
injury was done him. But suppose he had got in;u.
red in the conflict does it show want of courage
On the first morning that he was able to leave his
room after being confined by sickness, he went nm
accompanied to place where he must encounter
Mr. B, and after angry words had passed, he walked
with him into private ROOM
We cannot believe that Nj. cambridge has or will
sanction the statements put in circulation by the