Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-04-06
coNGREssIoNAL BELLIGERENcS

There has been no fatal duel among membeis Of
Congress since that between Mr. Chley and aNr
Graves in 1877. In sYSi2 occurred a dificultH be-
tween Mr.. Wise aud Mr. Slanly, which woudS,ro-
baby have producedaduel, but for the arrest oil 9th
parties and their beingbound over TO keepihe pice
The next serious difficulty was between Mr.. Ean,
CIV. Of Alabama, am Mr.. Clingman, Of North Far
DINA. MIR. Y. gave Mr. G. personal affaontEar-
ing the discussions on the annexation of. Texas,
and when appealed 10 for explanations madl the
pointed reply, "explanations elsewhere They
we're demanded elsewhere, and not bviHg salitfac-
tory, meeting aud exchange Of shots took pixie,
wilhoutdsmage TO either combatant T.
The next affair was that between Mr. Stanlyand
Mr.. Inge, Of Alabama, The latter gave the nsalt
refused to retract, was challenged and aecepteIt-
Afier an exchange Of shots, without execuiionss She
parties were satisfied . e
great acrimony Of manner in the Senate A ch.,I-
Ienge was giyen, but The difficulty was adjusted by
apologies and regrets
During the excitement which ended with the et,tn.
promise OF 1850, two personal affairs arose WINCH
nearly approached adue and produced 4 protoknd
sensation Inc first was that between Col. BissSll
Of Illinois, and Col. Jefferson Davis. Col BisseIl
had made one the most impressive speeches eEer
heard 10 the House on the sectional question. dir
ing which he denounced, with much severity. dr.
tain preIensIons advanced in behalf Of the MiSsys
sippl troops, in the battle OF Buena Vista. Col.
Davis then in the Senate, had commanded that rb .
inent in the battle. He demanded a relractiotf 81
the assertions of Col sBssell A CORRESPONDENT
ensued, which ended ID challenge and is accgn,-
ance- The weapons selected were muskets, aad
the light would certainly have taken place. had ns,t
The parties and their friends very OPPORTUNITY 5t-
covered that they were qua.relling about notEi9fg
at all 70
IN the spring OF 1850. Mr.. Duer Of New Ys,E
said he believed Mr.. Meade OF Virginia. wassa
disunionist. "lt is false" and eyou are a Ii5rS
were Immediately exchanged. Achallenee its.ae-
ceP'ance interpositon Of friends, reraclions. ana
reconciliation naturally followed
have omitted an occurrence between Mr. Ga,
and the late Vice President King, which nroduse1
the time wider and deeper sensation than F1v
Other Of the same nature which led 10 20 actasl
conflict At the extra session Of IS4l alter M.
great triumph ofihe Presidential election. Mr.. OBsy
saw that through the detection of Mr. Tyler. ske
iI1ns p triumph OF the previous year were likely
TO be sgatehed from the hands Of those who won +
and was somewhatles amiabe than was hahil.,ii
with HIN. In one Of his least complainant n,oads
Mr.. King had declared, in substance that s. =.
Blair was as much entitled 10 confidence and ~
speet as Mr.. Clay himself Mr. Clay indieusn,lv
false. Mr.. King quietly remarked. II have nam
ing 10 say and SAT down. The next day 4 cbats
lenge was given, the challenger being fffv-eidb,
and me challenged party .sxty-three years old u
The advanced age OF both parties should have besa
guarantees against any really hostile Intentions:
was arranged only with great dificolty.
Such il brief record OF congressional helliosr.
ency Tor The last ihrteeh years. II Is obyiou, bst
while the habit Of quarrelling remains. he prSc
ice or lighting is gStngs rather has gone out 81
gate. During that whole time but two have sDdsd
" actual resort TO The field Nobody had been ki:I
ed nobody winged, nobody hurt. In short. he enc
tom Il anaqnaied, and has become outlawed 20 la
The manners Of the age than in the statutes eft1
land The Praeties belongs 20 an cgs when person.
a proves was essential to success in the public
service, and was ties. Of fitness for leacsrship; a
Inc age Of ehivalry Ia. passed. and many neidsnsi
baroarous which in their day were proper I bJ nes
ee,sary = Wasliagtos CervssPondssfefEls PiiialiI
pAis An,sriosa. n