Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-08-14
TO the People OF Mississippi.

The Joint canvass between Senator
Foote and myself terminated yesterday
abruptly, in Sledgeville Pamela county.
1t is due to you that the causes which
brought about this event, should be made
public.
| embarked in the canvass under an a.
greement in writing proposed by the
friends of Senator Footc, and accepted by
me, "that during our canvass, nothing Of a
personal character would be introduced by
either party, but that the canvass should
be confined to the political issues between
us, before the people, " to the observance Of
which und Outstanding our friends mutually
pledged themselves.
At our first and second appointments,
declared expressly, that would neither
introduce personal matter, nor assail my
opponents motives, nor even allude to his
political acts, not connected with the pres
cnt issues before the country, unless com
PEELED to do so, by the course Of my OPP
ponent. On my part, | have, SO far as |
was permitted conforrned to the agree
ment, and adhered to the course proposed
but | regret TO say, that my opponent
has habituaIly disregarded the terms of
the debate, and frequently used even irri-
tating and imAammatory language. AT
Grenada he startled the audience with the
declaration that his life had been cndan-
gered FIVE or six times during this canvass,
and that he expected to be assassinated,
but that in such event, the blood of an
Union man would cry to heaven for ven
geance. 1t is true, he said, that he did
not accuse any prominent man fthe State
rights party of such intention, but by this
language he left murderousimputations up.
on his opposers generally. As the can
vass proceeded, he became more personal
| had, upon several occasions alluded to
the arbitrary and alarming powers asser-
ted by the present administration. | in
stanced the threat Of President Fillmore,
to use the military force of the United
States against Texas al d cited the ndig-
nifty lately offered to Mississippi, in urging
the arrest and removal of the governor Of
the State to New Orleans for trial, on
groundless charge, thus virtually suspend
ing the executive powers of the State gov
ernment.
In the debate at Pamela, Gen Foote, in
answer to this point Of my argument, de.
Tended the conduct of the President, and
although he disavowed the intention of
imputing to me any guilt, yet he minated
that there was cause for suspicion in the
alledged fact that some arms belonging to
the State of Mississippi had been carried
off to be used in the Cuban expedition.
In my reply, | said the charge and in
situation, coming from whatever source
it might, that had been either instrument
tai in, or cognlzant Of the removal, or alb
straction of any Of the public arms from
the State, was false and Scaadaious.
With this, l supposed further illusions
TO the subject would end; but on the next
day at Sledgeville, Senator Foote, in the
same unqualified manner, repeated the in
situation. Determined to repel in man.
ner, which could not be misunderstood,
such indirect assaults upon my character,
my rejoinder deliberately pronounced
the insinuation as fuse and coaeardly,
scandaious and ungentlemanly. Upon
some inquiries by him of what l meant,
repeated the same language. He then in
CURED whether intended to insult him
| said | would answer that question out
side the crowd
Standing upon the ground, with table
and my papers before me, then turned
to the audience, and was proceeding to
say that, under the circumstances, / be-
lleved that further joint debate between us
would be injurious to the public morals,
and therefore | declared our joint appoint
ments terminated from that day. While
thus speaking, | was several times inter-
rupted by Senator Foote, and at length
heard his voicenear me, on my right cx-
clam you are a liar, and turning towards
HIM, saw him advancing and aiming u
blow at me, which slightly grazed my
person. Before could turn upon him, he
quickly glided out Of the reach Of nv
arm, and as | sprang towards him nun
Der Of gentlemen rushed in and protected
him from mcriicd chastisement, but not un-
I'll | had dealt him blow with my fist, and
one with my foot, the force of both weak
ened by the effort Of persons present to
hold me back. Ids scene occurred in the
presume VI idfSe anu iSspeclaDie audi
ence ofladies and gentlemen.
While / feel mortified in having been an
unwilling participator in scene SO disrcp-
utable to canvass for high and digniEed
Office, feel assured that will be justified
by an intelligentpublic in having used the
strongest language to rcpel an insidious at
tack upon my character, repeated for the
second or third time. shall make no
comments upon this affair, being content to
leave it to the judgement ofan intelligent
md tro,l, ,c,,J.l