The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-04-12
Congressional Bslligerency.

Congressional Belligerency.
There has been no fatal duel among
m .mbers OF Congress since that between
Mr.. Cilley and Mr.. Graves, in 1887. In
1912 occurred difficulty between Mr.
Wise and Mr.. Stanley, which would prob
ably have produced a duel, but for the ar
rest of both parties and their being bound
over to keep the peace. The next serious
difficulty was between Mr.. Yancy. Of Ala
bama, and Mr.. Clingman. Of North Caro-.
lima. Mr.. Y. gave Mr.. C. personal af-
front during the discussion OF the annexa.
lion OF Texas, and when appealed to for
explanations, made the pointed reply. 'ex-
plantations elsewhere They were de.
manded elsewhere, and not being salts.
factory, meeting and exchange Of shots
took place, without damage TO either COM
batant.
The next affair was that between Mr..
Stanley and Mr.. Inge, OF Alabama. The
latter gave the insult, refused to retract,
was challenged, and accepted. Afer an
exchange of shots, without execution, the
parties were satisfied
Probably, the next affair in the order Of
time was the personal quarrel between Mr..
Benton and Mr.. Butler, in which. after the
'lie' was given with great acrimony OF
manner in the Senate. challenge was
given, but the difficulty was adjusted by
apologies and regrets.
During the excitement which ended with
the compromise Of 1850, two personal al
fairs arose which nearly approached a
duel. and produced profound sensation
The first was that between COL Bissell. oi
Illinois, and Col. Jefferson Davis. Col
Bissell had made one Of the most impres
sive speeches ever heard in the House on
the sectional question, during which he
denounced. with much severity, certain
pretentions advanced in behalf Of tho Mis-.
sissippi troops, in the battle Of Buena Vista
COL Davis, then in the Senate, had com
manded that regiment in the battle. He
demanded retraction Of the assertions o
Col. Bissell. correspondence ensued
which ended in challenge and its accep
tance. The Weapons selected were mus
ke,s, and the fight would certainly have
taken place, had not the parties and thel
friends, very opportunely. discovered thai
they were quarreling about nothing at all
In the spring OF 1850, MIR. Dusr. o
New York, said he believed Mr.. Meade
of Virginia, was disunionist. 81, il
false," and "you are liar," were i'm
medately exchanged. challenge, it
acceptance. interposition Of friends, re
fractions. and reconciliation aturally fol
lowed.
/ have omitted an occurrence between
i Mr. Clay and the late Vice Presiden
King. which produced at the time wide
and deeper sensation than any other c
the same nature which led to no actua
conflict. At the extra session OF l841
after the great triumph of the Presidents
election, Mr.. Clay saw that through tn
detection OF Mr.. Tyler, the fruits Of tr
umph Of the previous year were likely I
be snatched from the hands Of those VIII
won it, and was somewhat less amiabl
than was habitual with him. In ons {
his least complaisant moods, Mr.. Kin
had declared. in substance. that F.
Blair was as much entitled to confdenc
and respect as Mr.. Clay himself. NJ
: Clay indignantly denied il. and. | thinl
pronounced:,he assertion false. Mr.. Kin
} quietly remarked. Il have nothing to say
and sat down. The next day challeng
was given. the challenger being fifty y-eigl
, and the challenged party sixty three yea,
old. The advanced age of both parti,
E should have been guarantee again
e any really hostile intentions; but the
: were entertained, and the disagreeme
4 was arranged only with great difficulty.
D Such is brief record Of congression
II belligerency for the last thirteen year
S II is obvious that. while the habit OF qua
: rellng remains, the practice Of fightil
: is going, or rather has gone out Of dal
n During that whole time but two have end
!, in actual resort TO the field. Nobody h
d been killed, nobody winged. nobody hu
Il In short the custom is antiquated. al
e has become outlawed no less in the ma
!, ners Of the age than in the statutes OF {,
e land. The practice belongs to an a
d when personal prowess was essential
" success in the public service, and was
d test OF fitness for leadership. The age
d chivalry has passed. and many incidel
le Of the system are looked upon as ride
/. lous and barbarous, which in their
d were proper and necessary Washingt
Ig Correspondent Of the Philadelphia Am
ID ican. - -