The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-01-11
Ths Dificulty between Branch and Grow.

Mr.. Branch, of North Carolina. undertook
to come down, in regular plantation overseer
style, upon Mr. Grow. of Pennsylvania, while
the latter was delivering speech in the House
Mr.. Branch had assailed, in previous speech
the motives of Mr.. Grow. Mr.. Grow char
acterized this assailment as unparliamentary
and ungentlemanly." Mr.. Brsnch demanded
of Mr.. Grow, if he applied the term "ungentle-
manly" to him.
Mr.. Grow replied that he had spoken plain
English and had nothing to retract. Where
upon Mr.. Branch subsidized. while Mr.. G. pro-
ceeded with thoronghness, cIearness and calm
ness. though conscious that he had exposed
himself to the demands of the duelling code of
the South.
At once Washington was in state of great
excitement. and every body was talking of the
expected duel
In this state of things. both Branch and
Grow were arrested and put under $1,000
bonds each, to keep the peace, and not to leave
the District for the purpose of fighting duel
The following correspondence passed be
tween them
WASHINGTON CRY, Dec 29. 1859
SIR-Will you please name time and place,
outside the District of Columbia, at which you
will receive from me communication in writ.
ing. Very respectfully.
LOB. BRANCH
Hon. GALUsHA A. GRow.
WASHINGTON CRY. Dec. 80, 1857 Pm.
SIR-Y our note of the 10Th instant IVES
koD ~,
Winslow, at II o'clock NJ. to-day. | know
of nothing that makes it necessary for me to
name time and place outside the District of
Colombia to receive from you communica.
ton 10 writing Your note was doubtless-as
nothing else has occurred between us-based
upon remarks made by me in debate in the
House of Representatives in reply to your
speech impugning my motives and the integri-
ty of my acts as legislator. On that occa-
sion used no language in violation of parlia.
menrary law and not warranted by your re-
marks thus impugning my conduct.
| If your note is to be considered of hostile
character. then have this to reply. Regard
| ing dnelling as at variance with the precepfs
OF the Christian religion and the sentiments of
Christian people, and it being prohibited
and declared a crime by the laws enacted by
the body of which we are members, cannot
recognise it as a justi6able mode of settling
difficulties among men, even in cases of I'M
warrantable provocations but my personal
rights, and the freedom of debate guaranteed
by the constitution, shall defend whenever
they are assailed. Very respectfully yours,
GALUSHA A. GROW.
To Hon. L. OBJ BRANCH
Mr.. Grow did himself great honor by that
manly reply. 1t required more true courage
thus to answer his antagonist than to have ae-
cepted his challenge-and he will be commend
ed and applauded by all right-minded men.
Mr.. Grow distinctly intimates that he will
at all times be prepared to defend his person
and rights whenever, and wherever assailed.-
Mr.. Branch, and no other Southern braggart
will deem Mr.. Grow coward because he re-
fuses to fight duel. Mr.. Grow. since his re.
pudiation of the duelling code, walks Penn.
sylvania Avenue, and visits the Hotels OF
1 Washington daily, with fearless unconcern
though it is understood that the next step in
the drama, according to the "code" would be
for Branch to offer him battle "at sight" " when
they should meet.
As Grow goes prepared for any emergency
he is perfectly safe, for it is well understood
) that his defensive fighting qualities are of the
most energetic quality.
Every Northern gentleman, especially, should
+ take the brave and manly position Of Mr.
; Grow-decline challenges, bat be fully pre-
pared for sel-defense. Southern duellist,
will be quite careful Low they offer persona
, insults 10 such men.