The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-04-01
A Duel.
1t appears by dispatch published below,

1t appears by Dispatch published below,
that two very prominent Locofoco members
of Congress, have taken the old barbarian
method of settling their personal difficulties,
BY an appeal to arms. We think Congress
should keep big kettle of boiling water on
the continual bubble, and in every case IN
which members feel like resorting to pistols,
make them plunge in their arms, and deter
mine by the effect upon flesh, the respective
guilt of the two parties; or that the members
themselves should have their champions, to
edo battle" for the truth and honor oftheir
principals. AS it is now, two of these fellows
occasionally lose several days Of precious
time in lodging the marshal, running TO dis
tant parts Of the country on railroad cars,
and with the aid of afew friends, wasting
good powder. They are generally "shot in
the neck" like Breckenridge, come home
very gravely, get tight again on the congrat.
ulations of friends, see their names in the
newspapers, and sink down again into their
seats and obscurity with honor perfectly
satisfied. The constituents of such Repre-
sentatives should never let them see the in
side Of the national legislative halls again.
But here is dispatch about the latest duel:
WASHINGTON, March 90.
The city was thrown into great excitement
this morning by the report of duel between
Messrs. Cutting and Breckenridge, which was
increased by all sorts of exaggerated rumors,
the most prominent ofwhich was, that Mr.
Breckenridge was shot in the neck. From
the most reliable sources we gather informa-
ton indicating that the meeting did take
place early this morning at Bladensburg, and
that the shots were exchanged, is not denied.
But friend Of Mr. Breckenridge denies en-
phatically that the latter is wounded, and
that any damage done to either party more,
he will not say. All circumstances corrob-
crate rumor thai fighting has taken place
Mr.. Cutting left the city yesterday afternoon
in the half past O'Clock train, and Mr.. Breck-
inridge followed in the train at o'clock
This led to the impression that the duel was
to take place near Baltimore. MIR. Cutting
left the train at Bladensburg, but Mr.. Breck-
inrdge being in the express train, was car
ried to the junction and was obliged to return,
which he did in time to secure the meeting at
the place designated. Neither ofthem are
in the House. The affair has been so deli.
cately arranged, that. nothing can be known
beyond personal friends of the parties. But
there can be no doubt that either were hurt,
and that the unpleasant difficulty will be ami
cably arranged. The challenge was written
by Mr.. Cutting on Monday, a short time after
adjournment OF the House, and made known
to Mr.. Breckenridge about III O'Clock at night
Yesterday the friends were busy in making
arrangements for the meeting of this MORN
ing. The public were under the impression
that efforts were making to settle the difficult
ty, and no apprehensions were felt that the
encounter would take place 80 soon. co.
The Marshal of the District and the Attor-
ney General are on the alert. The parties
will be prevented from meeting again, even
If friends fail to satisfactorily arrange the
matter. The afternoon may disclose more.