Weekly Clarksville chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 185?-1857, 1857-06-19
THE RENCoUNTER AT FAYETTE.
WILLIE

WILDE.
The difficulty which occurred at Fay
etteville, between Messrs. HARRIS and
HATToN. originated substantially as fol-
lows: Col Hatton was within five or six
minutes of the conclusion of his rejoinder,
that being the last speech Of the day He
was discussing with some vehemence, and
great force, the doctrine that foreigners
should be allowed to vote as soon as they
were landed upon our shores, without infor-
nation, without qualifications of any sort,
without naturalization, and without sim
gle correct notion of the theory and prin-
ciples of our government; and denounced
it as doctrine most odious and danger
Gus, and with much animation exclaimed
that such "doctrine was most infamous and
smelt to high heaven" At this point
Gen. Harris rose Gas he had done once or
twice before) and made some remark which
we did not hear; when Mr.. Hatton turned
to Gen. Harris an asked, if by these in
terruptions, he meant or expected to in
timidate him (Hatton) ito which Gen.
Harris replied in the negative. Mr.. Hat
ton then said if they wore for explanation
he would hear them. Gen. Harris then
asked Mr.. Hatton if the words used we're
intended to apply to him personally. (This
we learn, was the question propounded by
Gen. Harris.) Mr., Hatton repeated that
the "doctrine was infamous and smelt to
high heaven" This was spoken as if in
an unfinished sentence, and about this in
slant Gen. Harris gave him push which
precipitated him off the platform in front,
and Immediately followed him to the ground.
The parties were then out of our sight, and
we did not see them again until they were
entirely separated. We may state upon
the authority of others, who saw the strug-
gle that, as soon as the parties touched the
ground Mr.. Hatton turned Gen. Harris,
and had evidently the advantage, when
they were separated. Gen. Harris bore
some slight marks Of the rcncounter upon
his face; but we do not remember to have
seen any thing of the sort upon Mr.. Hat
ton. This, in brief, is the substance of
what occurred. We were on the outskirts
of the crowd, and could not near distinctly
what Gen. Harris said. We think we
heard all that Mr.. Hatton said, as his voice
was at the speaking pitch. After the ex-
element consequent upon the assault had
somewhat subsidized, Mr.. Hatton with the
most perfect GOODNESS assembled the stand,
and concluded his speech Gas we have else
where stated during which he received q
most silent and attentive hearing.
Our impression is clear that the purport
of Mr.. Hatton's remarks was as to the doc
trine, and had no personal reference what
ever, and that, to say the very least, Gen
Harris acted very precipitately; and Who'll.
! ly without sufficient cause. We are infor.
med that Mr.. Hatton has used precisely
the same ideas, and frequently the same
words in his previous discussion, and had
no dream of giving personal affront to his
competitor. We know that the attack was
entirely unexpected by Mr.. Hatton. There
were some circumstances attending the
discussion, not under the control of Mr.
Hatton, however, that probably contribu.
ted to excite Gen. Harris, to which we will
hereafter refer lift shall be necessary. What
ever may be the result of the difficulty, OIL
whatever other construction may be given
to the occurrence or the facts attending it
we feel confident no blame, whatever, car
attach to Mr.. Hatton.-Pahiot.