North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-08-16
brief, manly, and decided:
TO THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI.


characteristic. brief, manly, and decided:
TO THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI.
HERNANDo, July 18th, 1851.
The joint canvass between Senator Foote and my
self terminated yesterday abruptly, in Sledgeville
| Panolo county.
1t is due you that the causes which brought about
this event should be made public.
embarked in the canvass under an agreement, in
writing, proposed by the friends of Senator Foote and
accepted by me. d" that, during canvass, nothing
off personal character would be introduced by either
party, but that the should be confined to the
political issues between before the people, to the
observance of which understanding friends mutu-
| ally pledged themselves.
At our first and second appointments, declared
expressly, that would neither introduce personal
matter, assail my opponents motives, nor even
aude to his political acts, not connected with the
present issues before the country unless compelled
to do so by the course of my opponent. On my part
have, so far as was permitted. conformed to the
agreement and adhered TO the course Proposed-6ut
regret to say, that my opponent has habituay dsre-
garded the terms of the debate and frequently used
even irritating and infamatory language. At Gren-
ada he startled the audience with the declaration that
his life had been endangered five six times during
this canvass and that he expected be assassnaed,
but that, in such event, the blood of Union man
would cry to Heaven for vengeance. 1t is true, he
said, that he did not any prominent man OF
the State Rights party of such intention but by this
language he left murderous mputation upon his OPP
Posers generally. AS the proceeded, he be-
came more personal. had, upon several occasions,
by the present administration. l nstanced the threat
of President Fillmore, to use the military force of the
United States against Texas; and 1 cited the indig-
nifty lately offered to Mississippi, in urging the arrest
and removal of the Governor of the State to New Or
leans, for trial groundless charge, thus virtually
suspending the executive powers of the State govern
ment.
In the debate at Pamela, Gen. Foote, in answer to
this point of my argument, defended the conduct Of
the President, and althou gh he dsavowed the inten-
ton of mputing any guilt, yet he intmated
fherpJ in he all fact
that some arms belonging to the State of Mississippi
had been carried off to be used in the Cuban eXpe-
dition.
In my reply said that the charge or insinuation,
coming from whatever it might, that had been
either instrumental in, cognZant of the removal,
abstraction of any of the public arms from the
State, was false and scanda!Ous.
With this supposed further alluson to the subject
would end but, the next day at Sledgeville SEN
ator Foote, in the same unqualified manner, repeated
the nsinuation. Determined TO repel in a manner
which could not be misunderstood, such indirect
saults upon my character in my rejoinder deliber-
aely pronounced the insinuation false and cOUard
iy, scanda!Ous and ungentlemaniy. Upon some in
quries made by him of what meant, repeated the
same language. He then inquired whether inten-
ded to insult him-I said l would answer that ques-
ton outside the crowd.
Standing upon the ground, with table and my pa
pers before me, 1 then turned to the audience and
proceeding to say that under the circumstances,
believed that further joint debate between would
be injurious to the public morals, and therefore de-
ciared our JOINT appointments terminated from that
day. While thus speaking several times in
terruped by Senator Foote, and at length heard his
voice my right excaim you are a liar, and
turning towards him,I him advancing and aiming
blow at me, which slightly grazed my person. Be-
fore could turn upon him, he quickly glided back
out of the reach of my arm, and as sprang towards
him number of gentlemen rushed in and protected
him from merited chastisement, but not until had
dealt him blow with my fist, and one with my foot,
the force of both weakened by the effort of persons
present to hold me back. This scene occurred in
the presence of large and respectful audience of la
dies and gentlemen.
While feel mortified in having been even an I'M
willing participation in scene disreputable to a
for high and dignifed office, feel assured
that will be justified by intelligent public, in
having used the strongest language to repel an ins
cond or third time. l shall make no comments upon
this affair." being content to leave it the judgment
of an intelligent and high-mnded community.
]. A. QUITMAN.