The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-10-20
Origin of the Duel Between Broderick
and Terry.

OAAeAH VI tne Duel between OIOOcTIck
and Terry.
Below we give the origin of the late
duel between Senator Broderick and
Judge Terry. 1t is from the San Fran
cisco Bulletin, q bitter Administration
paper:
"David 8. Terry was candidate for
denomination before the Lecompton
State Convention I; he failed to receive
the requisite vote, and w. w. Cope
was chosen in his stead. After the
nomination was complete, several per.
sons were called on for speeches, and
among others, Judge Terry, who made
a brief speech, pledging himself to the
support of the ticket, eulogizing the
party, and using the following language
which excited considerable anger
among those who belonged to the
Anti Lecompton party.
"' Who are our opponents Pa par
ty based on no principle, except the
abuse of one section of the country
and the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of another ;
having no existence in fifteen States of
the Confederacy. What other Pa
miserable remnant of faction sailing
under false colors, trying TO obtain
votes under false pretenses, (applause)
and they have no distinction, and are
entitled to none. They are the follow
ers of one man; the personal chattels
Of single individual, whom they are
ashamed Of (Great applause.)
"They belong, heart and soul, body
and breeches, to Broderick daughter
and applause,) and they are yet
ashamed to acknowledge their. master,
and calling themselves, forsooth, Doug
las Democrats, when it is known, as
well to them as to us, that the gallant
Senator from Illinois, whose voice has
always been heard in advocacy of Dem
ocratic principles; has no feeling in
common with them. Perhaps, MIR.
President, and gentlemen, am mis-
taken in denying their right to claim
Douglas as their leader; perhaps they
do sail under the flag Of Douglas (; but
it is the banner of the Black Douglas,
whose name is Frederick and not
Stephen (great applause
"A day or two subsequent to the
above speech, Mr.. Broderick, while at
breakfast at the International Hotel
happened to be seated near David w.
Perley, a devoted friend of Judge Ter
ry. Broderick. from reading a report
of the speech, broke out in violent
language, which was deemed grossly
insulting towards Judge Terry, deliv-
cred with bitter emphasis, and directly
addressed to Mr. Perley, who soon in
terfered in defense of his absent friend.
An alteration between him and Brod-
erick followed, which soon took such a
personal turn that Perley withdrew
from the table, and subsequently sent
Mr.. Broderics, challenge to mortal
combat, which as is well known, was
declined. and intiination givoc that such
matters would be attended to after the
canvass. On the election day, Terry,
in company with Perley, left Sacrament
to for San Francisco, the Judge having
first resigned his Office. 1t was known
on the boat going down that Terry in
tended to challenge Broderick. Arriv-
ing at San Francisco with his physi
clan, DIR. Aylett, of Stockton, he sent
Broderick peremtory challenge.
Broderick through his friends desired
to know what particular offence he had
given, to which answer was returned
that it had no direct reference to the
Perley matter, but to language used
about that time by Broderick, express
ing regret that the Vigilance Commit
tee had not hung the Judge, to which
Broderick replied, that while be spoke
this in moment of excitement, such
were not his sentiments; he did moi
wish to have that body hang any man.
and that he was willing to acknowledge
this publicly, but as it was occasioned
by what Judge Terry had said to Brod
erick at the Convention, Terry should
also withdraw his remarks on that oc
casion; this he peremptorily refused t.
do /; hence, there was no course but t.
fight. A meeting was arranged for th'
18th, and reports of every variety wer'
current on that day. A warrant wa
sworn out by Mark Brulnmugin, banker
charging the parties with intent to figh
with deadly weapons. The warran
was placed in the hands of Chief o
Police Burke, who secured its endorse
ment by the Justice of the first town
ship in San Matteo county, thus acquir
ing the power to arrest the duelists il
either county.
All the vehicles in the city had beer
engaged the previous day, and the off
GERS had some difficulty in procuring
oonveyances T; finally, by following thu
gunsmith who carried the pistols with
which the duel was to be fought, they
came upon the parties at Davis Rancl
in SIM Matteo county. They ha,
chosen beautiful valley, surrounded
by high hills, and were about to tax
their positions, Broderick having tn
choice of ground.
The police at once arrested the prin
eipals, and took them in seperate con
veyances before Judge Coon. Afte
two hours discussion, the complainant
were dismissed, and the defendant
discharged; they hmm ediately left tow
and passed the night in seaport local.
ties, preparing for the inevitable even
of the morrow.
Meantime the city was greatly excl