Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-05
CONGRESSIONAL BEILIaERENcY.

There has been no fatal duel among men,
bers of Congress since that between Mr.. Cilley
and Mr.. Graves, in 1897. In 1912 occurred q
difficulty between Mr. Wise and MIR. Stanly,
which would probably have produced duel,
but for the arrest of both parties, and their be-
ing bound over to keep the peace. The next
serious difficulty was between Mr. Yancey, of
Alabama, and Mr.. Clingman, Of North Caro-
lima. Mr.. Y. gave Mr.. G. a PERSONAL affront
during the discussions on the annexation of
Texas, and when appealed to for explanations
made the pointed reply, explanations else
where They were demanded elsewhere, and
not being satisfactory . meeting and exchange
of shots took place, without damage to either
combatant.
The next affair was that between MIR. Stanly
and Mr.. Inge, of Alabama. The latter gave
the insult, refused to retract, was challenged,
and accepted. After an exchange Of fhots,
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, afler the g lie was
given with great acrimony of manner in the
Senate, . challenge was given, but tho difficult
ty was adjusted by apologies and regrets
During the excitement which ended with the
Compromise Of 1850, two personal affairs arose,
which nearly approached duel, and produced
profound sensation. The first was that be-
tween Col Bisscll Of Illinois, and Col Jefferson
DAVIS Col Bissell had made one Of the most
impressive speeches ever heard in the House on
the sectional question, during which he de-
nounccd, with much severity, certain preten.
sions advanced in behalf Of the mississippi
troops In the battle Of Bnena VISTA Col. Da-
Wis, then in tho Senate, had commanded that
regiment in the battle. He demanded retrac-
nC tkn If al
pondcnce cnsucd, which ended in challenge
and its acceptance The weapons eclected
were musket- and the fight would have GER
tainly taken place. had not the parties and
their friends very opportunely discovered that
they were quarrclling about nothing ut all
I. In the spring ~ 1850, Mr.. Duer. Of New
York, said he believed Mr. Meade of Virginia,
was n disunionist 1T IL false, and 9yon are
a liarr were immcdiats ly exchanged chal-
lenge, its acceptance intcrposiiion of iriends
retractions, and rcconciliatons naturally iol-
lowed
have omitted an occurrence between Mr..
Clay and the late Vice President King, which
produced Mt the time wider and deeper aen-
sation than any other Of the same nature which
led 10 no actual conflict. At the extra session
Of is41, after tho great triumph Of the Presi-
Dental election, Mr.. Clay saw that, through
tho detection Of Mr. Tyler, tho fruits Of tri-
umph of the previous year were likely to be
snatched from the hands OF thore who won IL,
aud was somewhat less amiable than was ha-
bitual with him. In one OF his least complai-
SAINT moods, Mr. King had declared, in sub
stance, that T. P. Blair was AZ much entitled
to confidence and respect M Mr. Clay himself
Mr.. Clay Indignantly denied il, and, think,
pronounced the assertion false. Mr. King qui-
city remarked, al have nothing 10 say, and
sat down. The next day challenge was
given, the challenger being fifty-eight and tho
challenged party sixty-three years old. Tho
advanced age Of both parties should have been
a guarantee against any really hostile inten-
tons but they werc entertained, and the die
agreement was arranged only with great diff
Guilty.
Such is a brief record Of Congressional bel
ligerency Cor the last thirteen years. II Is OBJ
vious that, while the habit oil qnarrelng re-
mains, tho practice Of fighting is going or
rather has gone out Of date. During that
whole time, but two have ended in actual re-
sort 10 the field Nobody has been killed, mo-
body winged, nobody hurt. In short, the GUS
tom is antiquated, and has become outawcd
no less in the manners Of the age than in tho
statutes Of the land The practice belongs to
an age when personal prowees was essential
10 success in tho public service, and was q test
of fitness for leadership. The age Of chivairy
has passed, and many incidents Of the system
are looked upon as ridiculous and barbarone,
which in their day we're proper and necessa-
ry.-- Washington Correspondence 81 ne Ph"o-
deiphia Ameriean.