Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-04-28
A Breach OF the Peace.

4 political discussion came off at Dudley Hal
in this city Thursday night, between A. Judso,
Crane, esqr., of the city Of Richmond and Hon
Shelton +. Leake, of Madison county. before N
immense asscmblege of the people. 1t has bee,
our fortune to have witnessed and written
many encounters on the field Of political warfare.
but never before. one more exciting 10 behold,o.
difficult to describe. Each party occupied the
stand two hours, but by arrangement most
disadvantageous TO Mr.. Crane, which Mr.. Leake's
friends could not be induced TO modify, the whole
of tho latter gentleman's time in reply, while
Mr. Crane was allowed but half an hour of reply.
Mr.. G's first speech, of an hour and half,
mastery and brilliant defence of the new party,
its aims, principles the character of its organi-
cation and the necessity for It's existence. In the
prog .sss Of his argument, and Ia illustrate his
positions, he referred. much too often for that
gentleman ; comfort, To the pubic life Of his an.
tagnnis,, and TO The history Of the party with
which lie is associated, fastening upon it, tie
dominant power in the government the respon-
sihlity for all the evils and disasters ,hat have
bofaen.nr may yet menace. the pence and pros
peritv Of the conntry--and sscribing 10 both the
old parties, in their present conditon,an utter and
hopeless impotency to protect the South in the
enjoyment of its constitutional rights, md pre-
serve republican nationality from the pollu
ting and destroying touch of political and rcli
gious fanaiiosm. But we shull not attolnpt IL
give even his positions. They were not only lm-
pregnabe, but unassailablc and unassailcd--
while every blow at his opponents cleft like the
battle axe of old Cnur- de leon. and every shot
- A.. E. Al
he poured his Strengthening fire into the helpless
and sinking craft of anti Americansm, the sym.
patty of the audience would react, AS the heart
of the civilized world reyolted from the massacre
of Sinope. As we have already minated, the
ordinary language of description will convey no
adequate idea of this encounter Excepting the
argument of Mr.. Cranes first speech. il was
more n set-to than debate-more n milling.
match than discussion. The yernaculnr Of the
prize.ring furnishes the most appropriate terms
for description. Mr. Crane put in his ticks with
q scientific force and dexterity that would have
delighted the pious and pugllistic soul of Friar
Tuck. 1t was the famous fight, set To logic with
variations of nyeotive, Of Tom Tyer aud Nor
risey, over again-except that Crane got Leake's
head "in chancery" at every "round." After the
first passes, he had it all his own way When time
was called, Leake came up to the scratch "grog.
gy," with "a mouse" in each "peeper' and the
"claret" streaming from his mug" He struck
out lndly-missng his aim and exposing
himself at every wild blow. We could not
but admire the tender hear,edness of that
good fellow "Sam." Often, and implorngy hn
called ort TO his own champion, "Lct him off :"
Spare him = That will debut all in vain
Never was an unlucky combatant cruelty pun
meled, pounded. and battered. We read frequent
ly, now a,days of political stumpers being skin.
ned, and sometimes of their being swallowed
whole and kicking. We have mildly headed this
faithful narrative "A BREACH OF THE PEACE
on it was the worst breach of the kind. that ever
Our zorrowiug and fearful eyes bohcld. II was
riot aud evolution; ii WIS murder and mob law
it was some fierce minion of IIerod among the
innocent two year old of Bethlehem; it was some
ferocious soldier of the Vatican pursuing helpless
and flying women on Bartholomew 5 day; it was
Jack Hays shooting Greasers, and Kit Carson
despatching Indians; it was Capt. Jonathan r.
Davis of Alabama set upon by thirteen Mexican
robbers and staying the whole of them; it was old
Minot':.at the siege of Corinth,and Davy Crockett
al the Alamo. But we can't 20 on Images
of conflict and carnage ,licken upon us; ogre
like spectres, with phantom children by the
heels, stalk before US, and our trembling
spirit seeks shelter from the sight. 1t NAV
be satisfactory TO tho friends of Mr.. Crane
at distance, to know that be MAS kept carefully
concealed from the police, until lie could be CON
veyed out of their reach. The flegmentarv re-
mains Of Mr.. Leake wo understand, are to ho
escorted this morning up to Bethel, where it is
expected Mr.. Bryce will pronounce funeral
Grafton over them.
L. S.-Just as we were going TO press we
learned that the fragments of Mr. Leake, like
those of ajonted. or rather dsjointed snake, had
come together again, and tina, he is at the time of
this present writing holding forth to audience
in the Masonic Hall. Mr.. Crane may make
himself easy. He has no blood on his hands, af-
ter all, and we take back what we have said
about murder and funeral.