The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-04-23

some tlme peing engaged IN ngnterlng the schooner
The Rio Grande was very low, and the Grampus,
on her last trip, had to land her freight little be-
low Brownsville.
The Craige and Helper Array.
ANOTHER BORDER HUFFIAN AFFAIR IN WASHINGTON
LETTER HELPER
To THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING Posi-
In some of the city papers have noticed. copied
from the Washington Union, a gross msstatement
of the rencontre which took place in the hall of the
House OF Representatives, on Monday the 18th inst
between burton Craige, member of Congress from
North Carolina and myself and supposing that you
and your readers would have no objection to be in
possession of the facts of the case have concluded
to place them at your disposal. Burton Craige, who
stands fully six feet two inches in his boots, is,
suppose, about As years OF age and is, am sorry to
say, professional proslayery politician, with whom
have been well acquainted for the last twelve
years. Of him. as of most other individuals, il might
in truth be said that his sins of omission and com
mission have been sufficiently great but for the pre-
sent at least will make no disclosure of undeniable
facts-though many there be-that would seriously
compromit his personal character. Up to about the
period of the publication of my Impending Crisis"
Crage and myself had always been on good terms;
but since then he has, by underhand practices been
doing everything in bis power against meImanu-
featuring all sorts OF vile personalities and then,
coward like prevailing on some one else to give pub
licity to his dirty work.
On Monday last, about the middle of the day, just
after Congress had adjourned to afford the members
opportunity to attend the funeral of Col Benton
walked up to Craige's desk and found him writing.
Accusing him in very decided manner, inquired
whether he had not furnished the data on which Asa
Bggs q few days before, had made most wilfully
mean and malignant attack upon me in the United
States Senate. At first he denied having done So but
afterwards admitted, in substance, that he was the
guilty wretch; and then it was that / said to him,
the course he and other pro-slavery demagogues
were pursuing toward me was very contemplate
and very cowardly-which was, and is, simply
the truth. As l finished my remark. Craige,
who had been on his feet, facing me, from the
time first addressed him, made grab at my throat
with his left hand, and, making fist of his right
hand, drew it back as if he intended to strike me;
but H-as is very certain-such was his design,
gave him no time to carry it out; for, according to
the testimony of one of his own witnesses, in the
tenth part of second after he made the first demon
stratiOn of violence struck him such severe blow
in the face that it caused him to stagger backward,
and think he would have fallen to the floor had it
not been for the protection his desk afforded him.
then jerked him away from his own desk, and,
knocking him in the face with my fists, backed him
near the Speakers, where, just at time when was
giving him such beating as he deserved, we were
both seized by several members and separated. l
had already battered Cages face severely that it
was bleeding and he felt constrained to cry out for
knife, which, however, he did not get; and it is,
doubtless, well for him that he didn't, for had wea
pons, and would not have been slow to use them If
he had drawn either knife or pistol. OF all the
blows Craige aimed at me, not one of them took eff
feet. Indeed, though generally regarded as great
handled pugilist.
In refutation of certain pro-slavery insinuations
and halfway charges, will now briefly state few
plain facts It is not true that made the assault on
Craige Craige himself was the assailant 1t IS not
true that sat down behind Crage, or that was be-
hind him in any attitude whatever; stood up before
him, and had think, occupied at least five minutes
in telling him how mean he was ere q single blow
was struck. At no time did sit down in the hall.
! was alone when / went to the Capitol was nei
Their accompanied, preceded nor followed there by
either friend acquaintance. INDUCED in no threat
hotel until accosted traige, except to ask an un.
known gentleman at the door of the hall if that part
of the House at that particular time, was open to
strangers-and he said, Eyes, certainly; walk in"
Except Craige, saw in the House no one with whom
l was personally acquainted At the moment Craige
grasped at my throat, had my umbrella in one
hand and my gloves in the other but, instantane-
eusy dropping them both, struck him a stunning
blow on the right cheek, and thus, on that occasion,
completely frustrated his garroting propensity.
Threequarters of an hour after the fight, Kett,
young man from South Carolina, who has recently
ridicuously busy in Craige's behalf, said it should
be known whether had weapons or not; and so the
magistrate, having heard the law laid down, came
up and asked me II was armed. Yes" replied
and at his request handed him Colt and Bowie
which, however, he gave up to my order the next
morning.
Senator Hale and Judge Blair, two of natures
noblemen, neither of whom had ever the honor to
acted as my friends throughout the whole affair; and
but for their valuable services, for which beg TO
tender them my unfeigned gratitude, suppose the
border-ruffians Of Washington would have fined me
very heavily for successfully defending myself against
the violence Of overgrown slave driving garroter
Craige made the assault, lost some bad blood, and
got the whipping. paid the fine. $40; and so far
as this matter is concerned am perfectly satisfied.
HINTON Rowan HELPER.
No. 4 WALL srRKEr, NEW YORK, April II, 1868.
POSTSCRIPT
TUESDAY, April 20.
Since the above was written have received from
Washington letter advising me to reply to the one
sided statement of Wright, of Georgia, one of
Craiges cronies; but am perfectly content To let
the honorable Georgian and his statement pass for
Just what they worth; will, however take this
cious and deplorabc fact, namely, that most OF the
proslavery politicians and newspapers, particularly
the scurrilous sheets Of Washington, among which
the Union and the Star are the most notorious are
utterly unworthy either the confidence or the res
pect Of even moderately decent people.
From the letter to which alude make the fol-
lowing extract relating the thrashing of Crage-
CAS- you will readily perceive, it Is the policy of
the prosavery party 10 suppress and hush up this
affair and TO allow nothing but Misrepresentation TO
go out to the world, especially to the South, con-
corning IT,"
In conclusion. Mr.. Editor, will simply remark
and in making the remark trust am actuated by
q due sense Of my responsibility TO my God and my
country-that although have long been aware OF
the inhuman ana uemOralzlng influences OF slavery,
yet have never. until within the past week. been
30 thoroughly convinced of the imperative duty that
devoves on every good citizen of the country 10
his utmost endeavors, not only 70 keep the diaboli
cal institution out of the States, but Also far
in his power lies, TO wage fierce and exterminat
ing warfare against it in the old States. The
of white men at the South, to say nothing OF the
negroes are in danger of a form of despotism more
CALLING and oppressive than that which weighs hea-
West upon the people Of any portion Of Europe
III. r. III.
Latter from Governor Robinson. or X ansns.