The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-23

Political p4rtzE1s Occasionally prefer charges against
thr Aavsrsas . divert scrutiny from their own AssAi
able pOihs sreh strategy sometimes results In success
bal ofsa in defeat The pArSAns q the Fremont ticket
have ssOrtsa % charges and harsh ePths against their
AdysrsAEes upon subject where their candidate Is very
vulnerable They hare sought 10 tuFn the OOcurrsnes be-
tween Mszsrs Brooks aaa SQmasE political account
he untenabls ground that the democratic party Is
sponsibls for the acts q who goes with them pc
nroAIly. such position mAntAinAble, AL POliE
al parties might be crushed account Of the unjasth
able acts Of individuals in their respective ranks On the
other band parties Justly and properly held response
lie for their selection q candidates for high political posi-
lions for whom they solicit Let apply these PTn
cplss Mr. Sumner, in speech delivered in The Senate
applied spihe Of dparagement and severity TO the State
a South Carolina and Senator Butler when be absent
Mr. Brooks Of the HOUSE relative Of the absent senator
took offence at these remarks concerning his State and
relative sought out Mr.. Sumner and inflicted severe
blows upon him In . court Of justice Mr.. Brooks
admitted the sgaIty Of his act and made the reps-
ration required BY the minister Of justice atone
meat for the offence. All this purely personal
matter between the parties Mr.. sumner spoke upon
bis personal responsibility and Mr. Brooks resented it in
his individual capacity Neither acted for represented
political party II Mr. Sumner unTuly described South
Carolina her motives and acts the character qualihoA
tons and Intentions Of her senator would be unjust 10
hold Colonel Fremont responsible If Mr. Brooks acted
illegally violated the sancty Of the Senate chamber
sought wrougfally to control the freedom ef debate il is
equally unjust to hold Mr. Buchanan or the democratic
party accountable On both sides they personal ac
tor which the parties themselves solely responsible
Mr. Sumner has pretended that his structures Sen
stor Butler and South Carolina oecAoned by the
fact that he supported Colonel Fremont or tia, Mr.
Butler favored Mr. Buchanan for the presidency.
Mr. Brooks has placed his vindication upon the
ground that he and Mr.. Sumner differed upon political
subjects but upon the alleged insult to his State and elA
tive We appeal the principles Of justice which i'm
planted in the hearts Of al candid men, TO SAY whether
Fremont his party responsible for the speech Of Mr.
Sumner Mr. Buchanan his party for the Of Mr.
Brooks We oonhdent that the response viii be- that
whether their acts justified condemned and whether
they have acquired lost reputation BY what they
specyey did the whole is personal and that the political
parties which they belong should in way be pre-
JUDGED or benefited by the acts referred To-
have been forgotten that former occasions
eausc and remarks uttered in debate have led
acts Of violence and sometimes ereataang in death The
Ttupersons of John Randolph induced Henry Clay call
him 10 the field where shots designed take life
changed Ceys denunciabOu OF the venAiy Of the New
York Courier induced Webb TO challenge him for words
spoken in debate and his refusal TO admit that ne
spOnsibs TO him on that led Graves webbs
Ond to seek and take his life in duel Numerous other
due and personal encounters have occurred bat no
hss heretofore attempted hold presidential candidates
responsible for such Of third persons where they have
A.
caSoned them
twill be conceded that Mr.. Buchanan is entirely guilt
les Of all attempts personal aggrsssiOns disposition
participate in personal strife engage in political
abuse long life Of personal and professional kindness
and devotion 10 those duties which attach TO his
brotbsrnAn guarantees that be is advocate sup
porter Of personal violence remedy for political
He known be the persOna;on Of berAty Of opinions
and distinguished for gentleness and oourtesyuAles
which appropriately socOrd with the genius and policy Of
or instituons lie would suffer personal wrong
seek Justice through the agency Of personal violence
and wrong. OF by means prohibited BY Law.
The Republican party having sought to prejudice NJ
Buchanan Of The acts Of Mr. Brooks desire
CAL the attention Of aw-Abding Of their
candidate himself showing his begrent prOpensies and
bis willingness TO take human life for words which be
deemed offensive IndispuAbls facts place Col Frtmon,
Il position which friend Of peace and order posi-
bly, justify They show that be demanded this privilege Of
shooting At two men for words spoken intended to
bs personally offensive
On his tal before the courtArtisl who sdudged bis
dismissal from the service he attempted 70 prove that Col
ksson said 10 him None Of your insolenoe wiz put
yOa in irO1I From this IT Is clearly inrabls that Frt
mont bad used diSrsPectfu language to superior New
shele FOR these words be challenged Colonel Mason
mortal combat first requiring from his superior officer
aPoogy BY the following note
ECrDLD d Los ASGELOs April IL ls47
s1 have the honor to request, through nv friend
Esor r B. Reading who will hand you this nOts that 700
Apologize Cor the injurious language applied this day
VERY respectfully your obedient servant
dJOHN c FREMONT
Lieut. Col Mounted Rihemen
Col Dragons, Ci1dAd de los Angeles"
Col Mason replied - follows:
AxsElEs, April u, ls47
sR have lust received your note Of this evening and
Only repeat in writing what stated 70 yUu verbally
Yoa bet know whether you did not Your not disavov
nE lef me 10 infer that not mistaken with that
Impression upon ny mind, can say nothing until Il y
removed.
slam, respectfully, your obeaisnt s,rrnni
r B. MASON
Lent Col J. c. FEFrosT, Mounted Rihsren"
CrUDaD RI 70 Averlos, April IA, 1877
SlR An apology having been declined, Major Read
ng viii Arrange the necessary prslimnaries for meeting
rsquiring personal satisfaction
Vsry respectfully, your obedisut ssTvant