Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-04-27
dbeGree Nxess
URLINGTON:
FRIDAY MORNING. APRIL u 1860.
THE HEPoTTER-PRYOR AFFAIR.
Blu RLINGTON y:

he is profoundly hostile TO the WhoIe system
of dueling; that be regards it as barbarous
in the last degree; that he said nothing ID
the course of the debate to which Mr.. Pryor
took offence, which was intended as ali in
suit to the latter that he had no unkind
feeling to Mr. Pryor. But, ,inasmuch as the lat
ter had challenged him unconditionally, with
out leaving the door open to explanation, he
was ready to meet the final alternative that
the course of events in the House of Repre-
sentativcs during the thirty days prior to the
election of Speaker, and for some time after,
indicated that the right of free speech was
in peril and that, for his own part, if the
sacrifice Of his life could prevent bloody
collision upon the floor, and secure the pro-
lection of this right, he was ready to
become the victim. This, then, is Mr. Pot
ter's justification Of his course, and there is
this to be said for it, that the bullying OF
Northern men by Southern members has
been pressed to the last point of endurance,
and that Mr. Potter's action will unques-
tionablv have a tendency to put some
check upon the insolence of these Con-
gressjonal shoulder hitters. One difficulty
with the position, is that If the affair
had gone on, as it might have done
had Pryor proved less of coward, the sacrl-
fee of Mr.. Potter's life would have availed
nothing to protect the rights of free speech.
That could only have been done by the sacri-
fee of his adversary's life, and while the
killing of leading democratic bully might
undoubtedly teach salutary lesson to his
brother bullies, yet even for such beneficial
result. Mr.. Potter might not have cared to
return to the city which held the wife and
children of Mr. Pryor, with the blood of the
husband and father on his hands. But if
Mr.. Potter s course, plucky as 1t was, can
not be fully justified, what shall be said OF
Pryor? As a specimen of what IS said OF
him we copy the following from the n. y.
Erening Post:
He is a good specimen Of what IL termed
modern cbivalry. lie entered the present
Congress. which opened under some excite
ment. evidently regarding it as field emf
nentlv fit for the display of his peculiar quail
tiles. In his first speech in the House he as
sailed Mr. Nelson Of Tenne see in terms very
uncourteous, and in a manner most lnsolent
and offensive He received from Mr.. Nelson,
a gentleman much his senior in years, and
much his superior in manners, learning and
dignity, a castigation which everybody con-
ceded was richly deserved, and which would
have taught a man Of less conceit and more
sense lesson not to be forgotten during one
Congress.
He next assailed Mr.. Hickman in a man.
ner SO indecent, and in terms so grossly un-
parliamentary, that his colleague, MIR. Mill
son, whose gentlemanlY proprlety everybody
recognizes. tried to save him from contempt
and disgrace by calling him to order But
Pryor. true to his low instincts, rejected the
friendly interference, persisted IN ms ruihanly
assault. and received dignifed rebuke from
Hickman. which would have been of service
to ANYBODY but Pryor, but was lost on him.
His next onset was upon a woman with
whose husband he fancied he had some cause
of quarrel. and he vented his spleen by a
characteristic attack, full of vile epithets,
which none but the occupants OF the lowest
pot-houses allow themselves to use.
Then came the scene with LovelOy. Some
bodv made the report of this affair in the
Globe TO read that Lovejoy crossed the aisle
on 10 the democratic side, shaking his lists IN
a threatening manner. This was not true, IN
fact az he did not cross to the democratic
side
If PRYOR had designed merely to raise a
point Of order as to Lovejoy's right to deliver
a speech from the area, or as to unparlla-
nentarv language used, he would have risen
in his rlace and made his point of order. But
he left his seat and committed the same al
legged breach of order and assumed, IN vlo-
lent manner. to dictate to LovejOy where he
should stand. He was met by Potter, who
stood directly in front of him, and not slz
feet from him, and who addressed to him the
remark which he afterwards chose TO con-
strue as offensive, which Mr.. Dawes OF Mass
stated to the House he heard, and which
several other members heard distinctly, al
though il was not caught by the reporter
PRYOR, it is said, grew deadly pale,an turn
ed away and addressed the char, ana M
subsequent assertion that he dld not see fot
Tor nor hear him on that occasion, is Justl.
regarded as a subterfuge to cover the forger..
he afterwards committed, IN altering the re
vised notes of the reporter.
Rv the universal custom of the House eacl
member corrects the reporters notes OF M
observations, and they are always handed 7
him by the reporter for that purpose. II
makes them conform to what he actuall
said upon his own responsibility as a gentle
nan and a man of honor. No one has eve
bofore attempted to correct the remarks OF a
onnonent. But Pryor had the effrontery,
defiance of all gentlemanly propriety to era'
q sentence in Potter's revised remarks. 70
for ON this coming to his knowledge, cor
tented himself with restoring it, and so
anneared in the Globe. Pryor's anxiety
rrt il out was to Justify himself for not n
senting the language on the spot, and .
felt safer IN committing the forgery, an
irving to justsfy it by saying that ne did ne
see Potter or hear the remark, than IN a
saulting Potter at the time. As he falled
his fraudulent concealment OF the lacVs' an
was forced TO face the truth, be next resoret
10 bullying, upon the supposition thata no
tbern man would decline a challenge
Accordingly he got up the scene of We
nesdav last HIS closing language then CO..
tanned a threat. and at the same time be e
PRESSED his conviction of his own safety
saving that sthe sequel will demonstrate
whether or not Potter would stand by b
words He doubtless supposed that he cou
bolster bis doubtful reputation Tor coura
without risk of personal danger by challen
ing Northern man, whom scruples of co
science, the sentiments of his constituent
and the disabilities imposed by his State Co
stitution would unite to prevent from accel
ing a challenge. 1t is said too, that befo
proceeding to extremities, he asked Potter
democratic colleague whether he wou
fight, and was told that he would not acce
challenge.
1t is universally conceded that Pryor h
NO co,,,. be1E under the Code That his thrt
to put his own construction on the languae
and let the sequel demonstrate, EXCLUDED
explanation-that his second note was imp
tinent. and bis sending peremptory CHI