Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-04-18

The Pryor and Potter correspondence. has
come to hand, and confirms the first report.
Pryor requested Potter to name a place out
side the District where there might be
further correspondence This was to avoid |
the legal penalties of the District. Potter |
replied that ''the Constitution of Wisconsin |
allowed him no escape hom the consequences
of such correspondence as Pryor seemed TO
contemplate, wherever it might be con-
Quoted, and concluded, ~ therefore inform
you that such further correspondence as you
may wish to make, may be delivered to my
friend Colonel F. W. Lander"
This promptncss on the part of Potter, and
his appointing a friend to conduct the cor
respondence, known fighting man, too,
seemed incredible TO Pryor. He seemed an
unbelieving Thomas, unwilling to credit the
evidence of his senses. This answer was de-
livered to Pryor's second at midnight of the
llth. At halfpast one P. NJ, of the 18TH
Pryor wrote to Mr.. Potter to inquire if he
really would accept challenge. This re-
markable phase Of an honorable correspond
ence we quote: s.,r
AAtN1NAAJ - pm ~ lOONs
SrR--In order to be assured that do not
misapprehend the precise import of your note
by Mr.. Lander, beg to inquire if you will
accept challenge from me in the District of
Columbia2 | have the honor to be, very
respectfully, ROGER A. PRYOR.
Usually an affair of honor begins with
statement of the grievance, and request for
an apology, or ''satisfaction;" but this seems
to be an Improvement on the code; and such
an inquiry at that stage of the affair, when
Mr.. Potter had committed his honor to a
friend whom he had designated, looks as if
the matter had taken complexion not an
ticipated by Pryor. and which he was re-
luctant to be convinced of.
Potter replied that if there was any doubt
about it, after what had occurred, he would
answer the inquiry when the answer should
reach him. Then Pryor demanded ''the salts
faction usual among gentlemen for the per-
sonal affront you offered me in debate"
Potter accepted, naming weapons Bowie
knives place, in the District private room or
open air; time, within twelve hours; distance,
four feet at commencement two seconds
each, armed with one navy revolver each;
fight to begin at the word three; the giving
of the word to be decided in the usual way.
To this provision for ample satisfaction,
Pryor's second replied; H
"Not recognizing this vulgar, barbarous
and inhuman mode of settling difficulties, as
either usual among gentlemen or consistent
with the notions Of civilized society, must,
without referring your communication to
my principal, or even seeing him, emphati-
cally refuse to allow him to engage in it."
1t was supposed that the duel was a chal-
lenge 10 mortal combat. Now it seems that
the mortal part is only in Pickwickian
sense, and that any mode which really means
killing is "barbarous and inhuman, and in
CONSTANT with the notions of civilized So
eiety.p Civilized society must be extremely
nice in its notions. Are there any degrees Of
barbarity and inhumanity beyond calling q
Inan out and shooting him DOWN. This is
what Pryor intended if he meant work when
he sent the challenge. '......... .-
To meet a man with weapons which give
an equal chance for death seems to be inhu-
man and barbarous to the Pryor sensibilities;
but to call out man who is unused to pistols,
and shoot him down, with little risk to the
challenger, is tender and human ''mode of
settling difficulties consistent with the no.
tions of civilized society"
The Potter mode is vulgar" too! Since
when has gunpowder become more genteel
than sharp steel? There was a chivalry who
went into single combat with the lance
sword, dagger and battle-ax. They
regarded gunpowder as the weapon of
towards, enabling them to kill without
exposing themselves. Now, things are
changed. The Bowie-knife, which COM
bines some of the qualities of all these
knightly weapons, is vulgar.
The code gives the challenged party the
choice of weapons, and it is queer phase Of
it that man, who has received an insult to
his honor, that nothing but deadly combat
can wipe out, should object to the weapons
chosen, because they are deadly.
Mr.. Potter's second replied that his prin.
cipal regarded the whole system of dueling
as barbarous and inhuman mode of settling
difficulties among gentlemen, but that he
had chosen the weapons which would make
the terms equal. The second also disclaimeG
any of the scruples against dueling which
animated his friend Potter, and rendered
himself to the service of Mr.. Pryor, withou
restrictions.
This was very superAuous proceeding OF
the part of Colonel Lander. There is no cod,
that stops at weapons on account of theil
deadly nature. Mr.. Potter had offered tn,
mostcomplete satisfaction that could be asked
on equal terms.
Mr.. Pryor and his second declined thi
generous offer, making some complaint @
Mr.. Pottsr's refusal to go out Of the District
and of his mode of fighting, and misconstru
ing an expression in Col. Lander's note int
a declaration that Potter would not be pre-
pared to defend himself if attacked, they d,
clared that no opening was left to them I
pursue the matter any further. This Co
Lander corrected in another note Stain
that Mr.. Potter would at all times defend h
honor, and here the matter rested-a lam
and impotent conclusion for such fer
commencement. 54HttI.
"Snd Case of fBereavement,u
We publish a communication from III
President Of the Typographical Union, in re
ply to an article with the above head in We,