The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-04-11
nnEIINa AT WASHINGTON.

When a thing of this sort hero stands un-
liquidated for twenty-four hours, tho chances
are ten 10 one that there will bo no blood split
NOT Bit IL fact, despite the bloody de-
mands of the code of honor tho logic of Sir
John Falstaf. that satisfied honor will not cure
a rupturod windpipe, nor restore the brains to
n man who has had them blown out, is begin
ing TO hold a good footing even among the
Members of Congress at Washington.
A good many years ago, growing out of GER
tain offensive publications in tho Now York
Courier 8. Enquirer, there was duel between
two memSers of tho House. Mr.. Graves of
Kcntncky and Mr.. CilIey of Maine. at Bladcns-
burg. They FOUGHT with rifles, and Cilley was
killed Great was the excitement that ensued
Congress was shocked, and passed stringent
law against dueling making it penal offence
in this District. Since that time, though there
have been many affairs of honor hero, we be-
lcve that nobody has boon killed. There was
a quarrel between Gen. James Watson Webb
of New York, and Hon. Thomas +. Marshall
of Kentucky, on tho Bankrupt law of 1871.
and duel somewhere near New York. in
which Webb was wounded in the leg, and that
we think is the bloodiest Congressional affair
that has come off since the fatal Ciley duel.
Shortly after there was mortal offence
given in debate in the Senate by Mr. Clay of
Kentucky, to Mr.. King Of Alabama. King in
stantly challenged Clay, but tho warlke mis-
sve passed from the one to the other on the
floor of the Senate, and thus the police getting
wind of it, both parties were arrested on the
adjournment of the body taken to a magis-
trates Office and bound over to keep the peace.
And thcre was an affair of war between
Wiso of Virginia. and Stanley of North Carroll
ma, of the House High words bad passed be-
tween them in debate. and Wise had inflicted
blow or two with whip on the shoulders of
Stanley. as both were riding out on horseback
TO see horse race of three miles and repeat.
pony purse OF $500. The affair ended. how
ever without bloodshed, though the prelim-
nary steps were taken for "pistos and coffee. '
The next affair was between Garrett Davis
Of Kentucky, and Gen. Bayly Of Virginil.-|
This arose from the "lie direct in the House.
The arrangements were perfected for a beau
tiful fight. Davis escaped from tho city and
got off into Maryland, where he waited day
or two for the benefit of shot or two at his
frioud Bayly. But Bayly had been arrested
and bound over before he got out of town.
some of his friends having witnessed the scene
in the House, and having given instant iDfor-
nation to tho police Explanations followed
on the floor of the House, and the trouble thus
passed off in n Whit of smoke.
There was next moro lively and curions
affair between Mr.. Clingman, of North Carroll
ma and Yancev. of Alabama. sOme nine or ten
wears ago They succeeded in getting to the
"boody ground" of Bladensburg. They OK
changed shots. Clingman's ball striking the
ground near Yanccys feet, and Yancey's ball
passing considerably over the head of Cling
man, among tho Chinquaquin bushes in which
they bad taken their stand for their murderous
work. But the constabularv force had follow
4 II L. n Q L
and being informed of their whereabouts made
descent upon the scene. and dispersed the par
ties from the neutrality-suspicious., seconds, and
surgeon. Yanccy fled in one direction and
Clingman in another, over the cornields con-
tagious 10 Blaaensburg. the police after them,
but the honorable gentlemen were not cap
tured for it was said at the timo that never
was there such running seen any where pear
Bladcnsburg since the unfortunate battle with
tho British, of august 25, 1871 Messrs.
Clingman and Yancoy returned to the House,
where business was reconcied by mutual ex-
plantations in their behalf and according to
our recollection, an ample and satisfactory a
pology to the House.
The next declaration Of war between mem
bers of tho House was, we think, the affair be-
tween Mr. Duer. of New York, and Mr. Mead.
of Virginia. the former having in debate given
the latter the lie direct The rupture. howev-
er. was settled quietly through tho interven
ton of friends. and mutual retractions and OK
plantations. all of which were duly communica-
ted to the House. This excepting q number of
knock downs and fisticuffings in tho House. |
generally in the mids, of excitements of the
last night or two of tho session. is according to
our memory the last regular affair of honor of
the House down to this one between Messrs. |
Cutting and Breckenridge.
The last afftir of this code of honor in the
Senate was that interesting one between
Judge Butler, of South Carolina, and Colonel
Benton of Missouri. One Saturday night, tho
very last of tho long session of 1913. in the
consideration of the Oregon Territorial bill |
the debate became violent. from tho efforts Of
Southern Senators to tire out the bill. because
il embodied, in House amendment. the Will
mot provso. A few DAYS before, Col Benton
had given to correspondent of the New York
Herald, and had authorized him to publish, |
certain resolutions as ainst Gen. Kearney,
which Col. B. had submitted in executive ses-
sion. The resolutions were published in the |
Herald accordingly. Col. Benton standing ro
sponsble for tho violation Of the secresy Of
the Senate. On the Saturday night aforesaid. |
Judge Butler, with view TO stave off the Or |
egon bil holding the Herald in his hand, cal |
led the attention of the Senate to the pub
licaiion. saying that it reflected upon tho honor
of a member Of the Senate and moved an ex
ecu,ive session to inquire into the matter-
Col Benton fired up. and said tha if any Nom |
Der charged him with dshonor no would get |
the lie. and 81 will cram it down his throat sir.
I am a peaceable man sir; but when fight, /
fight for funeral. sir.
This was near midnight, and the Heraids cor |
respondent, judging from the movements of
Judge Butler. that a duel was Matching, began
to think of tho agency which he had had in
bringing about this fearful ultimatum. During
tho Sabbath many rumors were in circulation.
and on Monday morning, the 4eraids CORES
pondent. having good reason to believe that a
challenge had passed bet cen the parties, pro-
coeded to a magistrate. made his afiidavits, and
had the two venerable gentlemen arrested as
breach ofpeacc. Col. Benton
was found at his house. and brought over to
tho magistrates office; but protesting that te
contemplated no breach of peace, he appealed
from the magistrate to the Court hen in scss-
ion at the City Hall. The case was carried up
there, but the testimony of your correspondent
being insufficient TO convict him of any design