The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1856-05-15

Il
fis IN the extreme-- worse even than posi-
! Itive cowardice'; and as every candidate for
popular favor had prepared himself. well. by
long practice, 70 use the last great argument,
which closed all discussion and silenced the
most stubborn obieetor, very few meetings
Occurred where The spectators were not gra-
titled by Witnessing the slaughter Of one or
both of the ambitions rivals.
AS may be easily imagined, the post Of
an editor was most perilous of all others !;
and hence the opposing factions respectively
selected The entire coips to manage their
Journals from the most desperate adventures
that could be mustered, and paid them ac-
cordingg TO do their own lighting and that of
all their synonymous correspondents. In
some instances, thousands OF dollars were
expended as mere premiums, besides the of.
Ter OF enormous salaries, to secure the pen
and pistol OF the most notorious duelists in
the Southwest. 1 would specify one man,
an ex-senator, who owed his rise to this
Very circumstances.
However. leaving these vague geperalities,
slle following brief sketch of striking and real
particulars will afford tolefabie conception
OF .,ne stern TRIALS OF editorial hte:
Eariy ~ the month OF ply, 1880, lsreal
" ooos'' 'he proprietor OF the Arkaasas Dem.
ocrat was seated IN his sanctuin busilv em
ployed IN the manufacture OF written SLAM
der for his weekly paper. A single glance
at his person was truly enough to make an
ordinary beholder treinble with apprehen
sion; for you might search the world over
without finding his superior in physical pow
rand agility. In the pride OF youth and
robust health, he seemed a mighty mass of
iron bones and elastic sinews- strong as the
mythic Milo when he rent the ancient oaks.
LIS hands looked like sledge hammers, and
iis3 countenance bore the impress Of reck-
less bravery sort of mute defiance and
challenge to all the heroes of the human
race, Hiseyes were ofa peculiar tiut--that
iierce. reddisllsyellow Which resembles the
iris OF The eagle-of all colors considered the
sign OF the most dangerous character.
Indeed, he had acquired his title to be
pinceft oretnost IN the highest class of the
hgiting cliyalry by daring feats performed
IN all the principa. cities of the South, from
Charleston to New Orleans, Nevertheless,
hc had more sense than to rely for impnnity
on the terror which his name so irresistiby
inspired. liis Office was an armory. A huge
and double -barrelled shot gun hung alta short
distance above his head, and half dozen
ioated pistols lay beside him on the table,
whilst the silver hilt of dagger poeped
from behertir tisv vest. lie was ready for
sn.,neaia1e oatt'e, whoever might be the as
sa'a,it. suddenly footsteps resonEded on
me moor peihnd nun, and a stout, dark fea-
,u.eu s'''''i' oi tniauie age, Win long lowing
mar oitaven iiue, ana flashing black eyes,
rushed INTO the room IN state OF wild and
Almost frenzied excitement, and threw him
SCI, I'M ,h,o "a. a sea'.
j.. Inc editor, at iirst anticipating hostile
VISIT cooked a revolver, but instantly per-
ceising ms mistake, deposited the weapon
at MS elbow, eSclafaing as he did So what
now E''ls "has,ohf Is there new tenn
pes. brewing ~ the poiiticai atmosphere r
1ust iooR mere . eJacuiated the other
Wiz an iniuriate gesture, ponting 20 a col
umh OF ina Arkansas Wing, which he teld
up, with the NIX Eot yet dry on the paper.
WoSds snaiclied the article from the nm
gers OF ms friend. and devouring the cor
tents with rapid glance, uttered mslcdic-
,ion too horribic 70 record, while bis. very
lips turned white With rage and disappoint-
inent
rs not that loo bad 2" vociferated Whar-
tons ciinch,ng tue interrogatory with a still
more dreadful oath. "WhO could have ex-