The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-02-08
Mr.. Greedy on his Assault
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, Il

w bdils ASvN'
have heard since came here good
deal Of the personal violence TO which was
exposed, but only one man has offered TO
attack me till to-day, and he was 50 drunk
that he made poor fist of it. In fact, |
do not remember that any man ever serious
ly attacked me till now.
was converting with two gentleman on
my way down from the Capital after the ad-
iournment of the House this afternoon,
when stranger requested u word with me.
I stopped, and my friends went on. The
stranger. who appeared in the prime OF life,
six feet high, and who must weigh over two
hundred thus began
"ls your name Grceley?"
"Yes."
Are you non-combatant?"
"That is according to circumstances.
The words were hardly out OF my mouth,
when he struck me stunning blow on the
right side of my head, and followed il by
two or three more, Us rapidly as possible
My hands were still in my great coat peck
cts, for had no idea that he was about to
strike. lie staggered me against the fence
Of the walk from the Capitol to the Avenue,
but did not get me down. In'lliod as soon
rs possible, and saw him standing several
feet from me, with several persons standing
or rushing IN between us. | asked, "Who
is this man, "don't know him." and
understood him 10 answer, with an impre-
cation, +" You'll know me hereaiter,' when
he turned, and went down toward the street.
No one answered my inquiry directly, but
some friends soon came up, who told me that
my aSSailant was Albert Rust, vi. e., from
Arkansas. lie gave no hint of any cause or
pretext he may have had for this assault,
but must infer that il is 10 be found in my
structures in Mondays Tribune Cetter Of
Thursday evening TASTY ON his attempt to
drive Mr.. Banks out of the field as candi-
date forSpeaker by passing a resolution in
yiting all the present candidates to with
draw. thought that mean trick, and
said so most decidedly; certainly think no
better Of il, now that have made the ac-
auaintancc of its author.
The bully turned and walked down along I;
| followed, eonyersing with two friends
Crossing Four-and-a-half street, they dropp-
III behind TO speak 20 acquaintance, and l.,
walking along toward the National Hotel,
soon found myself in.the midst Of a huddle
of strangers. One of these turned short
upon me-l saw it was my former assaiant
and said, /" Do you know me now?"-I
answered, +" Yes; you are Rust OF Arkan-
as." lie said something of what he would
do if | were combatant, and i replied that
| claimed no exemption ON that account
He now drew heavy cane, which L had
=. -. L., anI str,,ck m prattx- haayy
blow ut my head, which l caught on my
left arm, with no other damage than arath.
or severe bruise. lie was trying to strike
again, and was endcayoring To close with
him. when several persons rushed between
and Separated US. | did not strike him at
all, nor lay finger on him butt certainly
would have beena pleasure to me, had |
been able, to perform the public duty of
knocking him down. | cannot mistake
the movement Of his hand on the Avenue,
and am sure il must have been toward pis-
tol in his belt. And the crowd which sur
rounded Us was nearly all Southern, as he
doubtless knew before he renewed his attack
ON me.
presume this is not the last outrage to
which am to be subjected. came here
with clear understanding that Il was ahout
an even chance whether l should or should
not be allowed to 20 home alive; for my
business here is To unmask hypocrisy, defeat
treachcry and rebuko meannss, and these
arc not dainty employments even in smooth
CT times than ours. But | shall stay here
just 50 long as think proper, using great
plainness OF speech, but endcayoring TO treat
all men justly and faithfully. | may often
Judge harshly, and even be mistaken us to
hcts, but shall always be ready to correct
my mistakes and to amend my Judgements.
Ishall carry no weapons and engage in no
brawls; but IL rufhans wayhy and assail
me shall certainly not run, and, so far as
able, l shall defend myself.--Nae York
Tribune. H.G.