The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-11-21
From the N. Y Times of Monday.
How Gentlemen Settle their Quar-
refS I'm England. -

We find in our English exchanges the fol-
lowing correspondence between two members
of the English House of Commons:
HAMPTON CoURT, Saturday, Oct. ID, 1854
Sir: In reference to your letter of the 18th,
have carefully read over the report of my
speech at the anniversary meeting of the Hinch.
ford Agricultural and Conservative Club, as
published in the Essex Gazette, which have
just received.
have consulted friend on whose judg-
ment rely, and he considers that the language
to which you refer is unduly offensive, in which
opinion on reflection coincide. One word,
coward slipped out unintentionally. there:
fore retract it; and beg to express to you my
feeling Of regret that | should have been be-
trayed, in the warmth of the moment into
transgressing the fair bounds of courtesy.
Iremain your obedient humble servant,
WILLIAM BERRESFORD.
The Right Hon. Sir JAMES GRAHAM, Bart,
M. P.
ADMIRALTY, Saturday, Oct. ID, ls54.-Sir:
[ have received your note of this day, which
relates to an inquiry addressed by me to you
on the 18th instant.
am satisfied with the retraction Of the
most offensive word, which you say was unin-
tentonay used by yo'.; and, when gentle.
man expresses regret for having been betrayed
into the transgression of the fair bounds of
courtesy, can neither ask nor desire more.
Such is the opinion of the friend whom l
have consulted. :,..'
am, sir, your obedient servant,
.-s. J. X. G.. GRAHAM.
Right Hon. WILLIAM BERREsFoRD, NJ. P.
1t strikes US that this correspondence is high
ly creditable to both parties. One of them
found upon reflection that, in the heat Of de-
bate, he had transgressed the usual bounds Of
courtesy towards polticalopponent and had
used expressions which he had right to con;
slider personally offensive; and he is neither
afraid nor ashamed promptly to'retract them,
and to apologize for having used them. -ls
there net something in this proceeding which
commends it to admiration Doesit not mark
Mr.. Berrasford as in this matter more truly the
gentleman and man Of honor, than if he had
refused explanation, persisted in his offensive
remarks and offered to give satisfaction in the
form of duea And yet how many mem.
bers of our Congress would have acted, under
similar circumstances, in the same way 3.
There isundoubtedly very wide difference Of
opinion n regard to duelling in different sec.
tions of our country. At the North public
seutimelt condemns it as absurd and criminal
at wa as well with true honor as with chris
tian principle while at the South it is upheld
by public opinion. In this case, moreover, as
in many others, the South insists on forcing its
local hws and usages upon the North and a
Northern man must either conform to them, at
the sacrifice Of his own convictions and his
position at home, or be viified for refusing
This i, o dilemma in which no true gentleman
would ever wish to put another; and yet it is
one of f;equent occurrence among members Of
Congress at Washington.
We do not believe there can be donbt in
the mnds Of men of the incest sense of honor,
that tie course pursued by 81, James Graham
and Mr.. Berresford is worthy Of universal imi.
tation No gentleman will wantonly and pur-
posely insult another ;-and where it is done
uniptetionally, there certainly can be no loss
of dignity in a prompt and distinct retraction.
In many respects our progress out of barbar-
ism is painfully slow; but we trust the time is
not fa' distant when more just and rational
motions upon the subject Of personal honor
will g'vern public sentiment in all parts Of this
county.
TIL GREAT VALLEY OF The WEsT.-The
diferece of elevation of the valleys of the
Missouri and Mississippi has been determined.
The kvel of the Missouri at Council Bluffs is
one thousand and twenty feet above the Mex