Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-26
For the Inquirer.


time been subjected 10 course of most abusive az
saut through the editorial columns OF the Richmond
Whig-irom reseptIng or replying to which, his Off
cial position, if nothing ese has necessarily preclu.
ded him. As for myself have been restrained from
resentment, by my athers assurance, as we'll as by
that of other frieuds that the character and reputa
ton Of the editor of the Wing were not auch as to
permit my taking any notice whatever of his Con
duct.
have, until yesterday, acted on the advice TINS
received. But the coursr oil conduct pursued by
Mr.. Ridgway has been continuously offensive to
my feelings, that / have ct last determined without
consultation with any one, to punish insults more
painful TO me than they had been applied directly
to myself. This determination on my part has ro
suited in breach of the pence, and | feel bound to
refer the community in which this has occur.
red 10 thase facts which will serve, trust AZ CON-
p!ete viudicaton OF the step which have taken.
| add the following statement of what occurred
yesterday between Mr.. Ridgway aud myself:
On Thursdsy afternoon. my attention was called to
an article 6f an insulting nature in the Wing Of that
morning thrn determined to resent Mr.. Ridgwsy =
conduct. On Friday At about one o'clock, =. NJ, |
went to tho Wing office, with an ordinary walking
stick in my hand, bnt carrying with ms no other
weapon Whatever. On the first aoor Of the Whig
building, enquired for Mr. Rdgway, and was told
that would find him two flights of stairs above
Reaching the third story. | entered q room where
three or fonr psrsons were at work. Here was in.
formed that Mr. Riigways office was the second
room from that which had entered. Passing through
the Intermediate ronG, knocked al MIR. Ridgway 8
door. He was alone within aLd bade me enter. |
entered, closed the door. and enqnired whether was
addressing Mr.. Ridgway Il had no previous nc.
quannrce with him,-none even by sght.j He az.
sentsd by a nod | then announced my name, and
said II have come sir TO inform you that your inso
lsnce towards my father. has become insupportabe.
He made no reply, but srose from his seat and evi.
IDENTIFY attempted to srizs a stick etandng near him
ngans. the wall. Before he reached tbs etck, i
i'm hp
shoulder with my cane, seized his cravst with
my left hand and dragged him to the middle
Of the room, where ] struck him few slight
blows over the head, and severe blows
over the back and shoulder. had not strck.
IN him more than about ak or eight blows
before he succeeded in catching my stick with
both hands. still held the stick with one hand and
his cravat with the other, and in ths portion strug
gled with him, endssvorng to throw him off his feet
In the struggle, | forced him roughly against the
door, also against stove near the door, but not
believe, infictng on him any severe pain, after hs
had seized my stick. During the struggle he called
loudly aud repeatedly for assistance, repeating a
name which do not remember. II may have been
"Grams." Finally, three or four men II think not
more than three) entered the room. One OF these
caught me by the arms and pulled my LETT hand from
Mr.. Ridgway's throat. Another stepped between
Mr.. Ridgway and myself; but | was permitted 70
hold my cane with my right hand Mr.. Ridgway still
holding the same with one or both hands. The man
swered, "Mske him, then, let 60 my stick" Mr.
Ridgway still held the stick with his lett
hand, and seized another stick with his
righ, hand. No person had hold Of him at
the time, and he made gesture as II to STRIKE
ct me with the stick held iu his right hand. then
ead "gsntie,neir don't let him strike ne while an
held. II am to be held, IL, him be held too" Tbs
man standing next him Immediately answered, "he
shall not strike you, sir" and seized MIR. kidsway's
arm Mr.. Rdgway then released his hold on my
STICK saying, II will not ltrks him." and adding, 81
will settls this in another way" or words Of similar
import He also exclaimed, ito come in upon me iD
this way" The man who held me, then released
me. and said, "you had better leave now. SIR" an
swered, II will leave and Immediately retired from
the room.
During the whole time, MIR. Rdgway did not strike
ma, and received no scratch nor bruise in any man
ner. During the struegle, he seemed much frighten
ed, and made no effort except To seize and hold my
stick, and to call for assistance Some OF the blows
which | struck must have been severe. BY these
blows, several inches were broken of the end OF my
stick, and The larger fragment remaining in my hand
was much splintered.
The persons who nterfered TO separate Mr.. Ridg
way and myself, did 30 without unnecessary violence
towards either OF u.s. aud behaved in every way fair
ly and respectfully towards each
Such are the facts as they occurred. have stated
them without addition omission, as faithfully a.
memory serves me, and with the assistance OF notes
prepared Immediately after the occurrence.
Mr.. Rdgway's statement, contained in the !" Wing
of this morning, emhodes assertions which be must
know to he false. Before assaulting him did an
nounce TO him my name. did not mutter" the
words which | addressed to hm-but pronounced
them distinctly. He did not Offer me q seat. lie
asked me no question whatever. Nor did he utter a
word in my pTeIence until h3 called aloud for assist
auce. He did not striks me-not blow did re
ceive from hn. He was attempting to seize his
cane when dragged him from H. He cid rot tell
me- at any time, to leave the room. When he seized
his stick to strike with il, was held by both arms
I did not ask him not to strike. simply appealed
to the bystander not To permit hun to strike NE while
was held. He did not say that he would not strike
until after hs arm had been arrested.
His assertion that Was, or appeared to be- into1l
Gated, is q pa,fable fasehood. With reference 10
each of these lsrticulsrs Mr.. Ridgway has been
guilty Of u false statement wilfully made.
For his insoleIce TO my father, / have secured a
Just retribu!ion.
have disgracsd Mr.. Rdgway by the application
OF severe Gaming, which hs had not the courage 10
return with single blow. He has disgraced himself
by the manner in which he provoked my resentment
by calling for assistance against single adveraary
his inseril rim sZe and weght-by cowardly attempt
10 strike ms white | was hed-aud by seeking to
screen his cnwarcce under series OF willing ialse-
hoods
have acted in this matter without consultation
with any one, without informing any one ot my III
tended action anc contrary to advice previously re-
ceivsd from my father and out. mutual friends. but
thrust that the community, OF which am member
will consider my c,nduct justifabe, when viewed 10
connection with h, circumstances which occasloned
il. ". JENSiNHS :" iSI'
RIcHMoSD, SATURDAY, January 23d, 1858.
Since writing tho above, have received from Mr..
Rdowsy the following letter, marked al" In reply
wrote the letter marked 49," in answer to which
received from him the letter marked "3.' submit
'"'' "''f'0O' ''' '' o. JENNINGS WISE.
January cath, 1858.