The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-05-13
Nulltlra(.
Vhe ChIValry aad the law,

The "chivalry" arc showing Us a new
phase Of their character. Last year, and
in fact in all time past, they figured as
the lighting men Of the federal capital-
the "bloods" of the metropoii8-who
avenged all insults at the swords pcint
or the pistols mouth. They absolutely
howled for battle. The Northern men
were sneered at daily for their pusillan-
unity and unwilliugness to engage in pu-
gilistic and other encounters. The relig-
/ ious, moral, intellectual and muscular SD
periority were all ca the sunny side OF
the Potomac.
! This year, somehow, the tables seem to
be turned In the recent Homoric COM
bat in the House of Representatives,
Keitt, as the representative OF the Pal
metto chivalry, went into action with his
recent impotuosity, but, on being knock
ed down for his pains BY the unchivairic
Grow, of Pennsylvania, seems to have
suddenly subsidized into devoted peace
maker aud asserter of the authority Of the
law. If he had been annointed by Car
dinal, the effect could not have been
more marked.
The good work seems to be progress
ing. y Mr.. Helper, of North Carolina,
has apostatized from the faith OF his ia
theirs, and refuses any longer to believe
in the righteousness aud prOtitableness OF
slavery. He published a book sometime
last year, In which he declared it to be
his opinion that "a crisis WAS impending
over che sunny South, iii consequence o.
its devoted attachment to the peculiar
institution, and, moreover, supported his
opinion by number OF arguments to
which, for long time, the South has not
pretended to have any better reply than
assault and battery and banishmen,. Mr..
Helper was, however, not within reach
Of this sort of logic when his book ap-
peared; so, as the next best thing, they
charged him with theft and enbazzle-
charges which he rofuted, and
which were, last winter, Withdrawn by
their promulgators in this city. His
work was large y quoted BY Senator VIII
son, of Massachusetts, in the recent de-
bates on Kansas; and in reply Senator
Biggs, as usual, had nothing better to al
lege than the old accusation ot swindling,
directed against the author. Helper
forthwith proceeded to tie u rejoiuder,
telling Mr.. Craige, Bigg : informant, that
in circulating such story, he had com
mitted cowardly act. Craige tnereup-
on committed an assault, but Helper, it
appears, is the better pugillSt of the two,
aud although Craige measures seven feet,
or thereabouts. he was "punishing' him
severely when the combatantS were sep
arated.
The claw" now intervenes; Helper is
brought up before "Justice' Arnold !;
Craige, whose countenance doubtless bore
marks of the strife, declines to appear !;
but the wrongs of the chivalry must be
fedressed, their broken noses and black
eyes atoned for, and Justice Arnold, there
fore, in spite of the fact that no one ap-
peared to prosecute, sentenced the delin-
quent to find bail in the sum of one thou
sand dollars to keep the peace. The best
remains to be told. The soberly, orderly,
discreet, fastidious, gentlemanly Keitt, Of
South Carolina, suddenly conceived,
while Mr.. Helper was in custody, the
horrible thought that he probably carried
weapons about with him, and at his sug-
gestion he was disarmed of a bowlc-krite
and revolver. He was then arrested
second time, and fined twenty dollars for
carrying concealed weapons.
In view Of the violence and crime
which have so long been permitted to 60
unpunished in Washington, these prompt
and vigorous peace measures are highly
encouraging, though it must be confessed
that the satisfaction We take in recount
ing then would be somewhat increased
| if the person who was arrested and iuo-
ished had been the man who committed
the assault, instead of the man who was
assaulted. The fact that it was Mr..
Craige who struck the first blow was
swovn to by Mr. Campbell, Of 0aio, and
testified to by Mr.. Wright, Of Georgia; IA