Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-08-11
TO THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI.


The joint canvass between Senator Foote and my
| self terminated yesterday abruptly. in Sledgeville
Parola comfy.
| 1t is due to you that the causes which brought
| about this event, should be made public
| embarked in the canvass under agreement, in
writing, proposed by the friends of Senator Foote,
and accepted by me, hat during canvass, moth.
ing OF personal character would be introduced by
either party, but that the should be confined
to the political issues between u.s. before the people,
TO the observance OF which understanding friends
mutually pledged themselves
AT our first and second appointments, declared
expressly, that | would neither introduce personal
matter, nor assall my opponents motives, nor even
allade to his political acts, not connected with the
present issues before the country, unless compelled
DO SO, by the course OF my opponent. On my part,
nave, SO lar as was permitted, concerned to the
agreement, and adhered to the course proposed-but
regret to say, that my opponent has habltuay dis
regarded the terms Of the debate, and frequently used
even irritating and inf 4mmatory language. AHGre-
NADIA, he startled the audience with the declaration
that his life had been endangered five or six times
during this canvass, and that he expected be
sassinaed, but that in such event, the blood of an
Union man would cry to Heaven for vengeance Ii
is true, h. said that he did not any prominent
man of the state rights party of such intention, but
by this language he left mxrderous imputation upon
his opposers generally As the proceeded,
he became more personal had, upon several occa-
slons, alluded to the btrary and alarming powers
asseIted by !1e present administration. instanced
the threat of President Fillmore to use the military
force of the United States against Texas and cited
The lndlgnity lately offered to Mississippi urging
The arrest and removal OF the governor of the State
to New Orleans for trial. groundIess charge thus
virtually snspending the executive powers of the
In the debate at Pamela, Gen. Foote, in answer to
this point of my argument, defended the conduct of
the President, and although he disavowed the inten-
ton OF lmputlng to me any guilt yet he ntmated that
there was cause for suspicion in the alleged fact that
some arms belonging to the State of Mississippi had
been carried off be used in the Cuban exped tlon
In my reply said the charge orlnsinuaton, coming
from whatever source 1t might that had been either
instrumental in, or cognzant of the removal, or alb
sracton OF any OF the public arms from the State,
was false and scdnddtous.
With this sup osed further allusion to the subject
would end; but, on the next day at Sledgeve, Sena
tor Forte, IN the same unqualified manner. repeated
the lnslnuatlon. Determined to repel in manner
which could not be misunderstood, such indirect as
sauits upon my character, my reJoinder deliber
ately pronounced the nslnuaon as false and coward
ty, scdmddlons and ungentlemanly Upon some inqui
rles by him OF what l meant, ! repeated the same
language. He then inquired whether intended to
insult him-I said would answer that question out
side the crowd.
Standing upon the ground, with a table and my pa
pers before me, then turned 10 the audience, and
believed that furtherjoint debate between would
be injurious to the public morals, and therefore de-
clared our joint appointments terminated from that
day While thus speaking. was several times inter
rupted by Senator Foote, and length heard his
near me on my right exclalm yon are lar, and
turning towards him, saw him advancing and aim
Ing Rfars olqw at me- which slightly srazed my
out OF the reach of my arm, and | sprang towards
him number of gentlemen rushed in and protected
him from merlted chastisement, but not unril had
dealt him blow with my fist, and with my foot, the
force of both weakened by the effort of persons pre-
sent to hold me back. This scene occurred in the
presence of large and respectful audience of ladies'
and gentlemen.
While feel mortified in hav ng been an unwilling
participation In scene SO dsrepnable to a canvass
for high and dignled office, feel assured hat
will be justified by intelligent public in having used
the strongest language to repel an lnsdous attack
upon my character repeated for the second or third
time. shall make no comments upon this affair,
being content to leave it to the Judgment of an inteli-
]. A. QUITMAN.