The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-04-19

ful statement of what Pryor was then do
ing, is unquestionable. And Tor these
words Pryor challenged him. 1t is al
legged at Washington that the challenge
was sent after conference between some
ten or dozen Democratic members, OF
wbom Potter's colleague was one, at which |
the opinion was expressed that Potter
would Dot accept challenge. If this be
so, then it is striking proof OF the oit,
asserted fact that no Southern man will
s.call out" Northcrner whom he un-
doubtinelg belie,es will respond to MS
call. It also presents in its true light the
yaIor of Roger A. Pryor. But, at all e.
cents, and whether the offspring OF
Democratic conspiracy, or the mere im
pulse of the disgraced braggart who sent
the hostile mi>sive, it was an attempt 10
bully and browbeat, and, if possible, dis,
grace, every Republican who maintained
and vas determined to practice freedom
of debate in the House. And most etfec-
tually has this attempt been crushed oy
the uudaunted conduct of John h. Pot
ter.
OF Roger A. Pryar there can be but
one opinion among sensible men. lie
has been seeking fight With somebody
all Winter. He has had an opportunity
to ninsle in one on equal terms, and un
der the rulesof bis much cherished code.
and he has shown the white feather. BY
one of the recognized canons OF that code'
everybody is authorized to post him as
"a poltroon and coward" Itis in vain
for Pryor and his patrons to attempt to
creep out Of this dilemma through the
small crevice of the alleged unusual char
acter of the weapons, proposed DJ the Sc
cond of Potter. Knives are recosnlaeo'
and not an unusual duellDg weapon, ID
all the States along the Mississippi Val
lev. We care nothing about the custom
in Virginia. Potter lives in Wisconsin
near the Mississippi River, and is not "a
menable to the code as construed IN Yir-
ginia, but rather on the banks OF that rlV'
er.
But. we care nothing about the wea,
pons, except that they give an equal
chance to both parties. This latter point
being secured, really courageous man
yea, anybody but the veriest poItroon'
would, after doing aud saying what Pry
or had done and said. have fought Potter
With any weapon. He bad, in the pres
ence of the House Of Representatives, in'
pliedly charged Potter with cowardlce, IL
telling him in substance that the seqneI
5 would demonstrate that he would not
stand by his words; that he (Pryor) would
make hitn eat them, rather. Pryor, too
was told by practiced duelists, that there
was no sufficient ground for challenge
, And, yet, without first demanding an ex-
, olanation of the words claimed to be OF
, fensive. he sends Potter pereu PtorJ
summons to the field. Potter aVows hi:
! readiness to GO. and promptly proeeed'
to exercise bis undoubted privilege o
choosing the weapons. Now, any crea
ture, after proceeding by such path, t
, such position, and With such aourlst
I of taunts aud nnuendoes. would, If he hat
the courage OF louise, fight his foe witt
any death dealing instrument that coulf
! be brought upon the field.
. No! the defect is not in the canons o
!. the code, but in the pluck of Pryor. III
o is dainty assassin, who affects hair trig
: gers, because his fingers have been train
ej to their use; but be has no stomach
for a fair fight, which might result IN hi
# being CARED up for worms.
But, we are forgetting that Col. Lap
d der, the second of Mr.. Potter. actin!
: strictly within the code, took offense a
the suggestion that the kind of weapon
!. which his principal had, through him Sc
;. lected, was barharous; and thereupon
e proceeding upon the celebrated preceden
E of the Graves and Cilley duel, be propos
= ed to fight Pryor with any weapon Wit
). which that fastideous gentleman might Sc
IS lcct. Whereupou this stickler for the ten
}. cts of the code, this punotiliOus Pryor, DC
e relishing the whistling of bullets an
more than the cleaning of knives, con
!. ceived sudden prejudice against pistols
i and informed Col Lander that he had n
f controversy with himl And SO, Roge
: A. Pryor, no. to put too fne point upo
o it, who had gone staggering into thi
Q quarrel, skulked out of it douely dis
o eraced man. Ifibatue.
n-Fror tbo tventv serenth ANNA