Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-02-24
Essnasandson vs.. Hickman.

Ef2LneandsOn VS.. Hickman.
We copy the following account of the late
difficulty between Messrs Edmundson and
hickman, from the Washington States.
| "We have never seen the Hon. Mr.. Hick-
man. We have read his speech, wherein
ne proclaimed that if the Southern States
should dare oppose federal law. some eigh-
teen millions Of Northern people would cross
the Potomac and reduce them by force to
Obedience. Thereforeswe thought that the
Hon. Mr.. Hickman was military man Of
great prowess, who will come at the head
of these millions, with his flashing sword,
his rrancng charger, and his sounding
trumpets, fer all the world like Genghis
Khan, Iimour the Tartar, or any other con-
queror be may choose to adopt for his mod
"We had likewise seen where the Hon.
Mr.. hickman was reported to have said that
John brown, at the head Of fifteen white
men and three negroes. terrified the whole
State OF Virginia" Thereupon we said to
ourseives-this ferocious Hickman is reso-
Lutte and stalwart fellow, who fears nothing
and can make no allowance for the timidity
Of other people.
''The Hon. Mr. Edmudson of Virginia,
! is well known as most courteous and un-
exceptlonable gentleman. But under very
quiet domeanor he carries chivalrous esti-
mate OF the respect due to his own personal
honor and that good name of the State to
which he belongs.
|
$50 1t CHANGED a few days since, as the
Hon. Mr.. Hickman was leaving the House
of Representatives, he was followed and ac-
costed by Edmundson, who held him to ac-
count for the ISLANDERS uttered by him against
the State and people of Virginia.
''Just as Mr.. Hickman said Il did not
mean To-" his disclaimer was cut short
by a slap in the face from Mr. Edmundson,
accompanied with the emphatic assertion that
Mr.. Hickman was id scoundrel" At
this moment, Messrs keitt and Clngman,
who were leaving the Capitol, at the same
time, seeing from Mr.. Edmundson's manner
that he intended to chastise Hickman, and
knowing that they would be placarded in the
Tribune next day for conspiracy to beat an
unprotected Free-seiler, ran up and seized
Mr.. Edmundson, who struggled very violent
ly to ipAct further indignities upon the af-
frig hted Timour
''According to our information, Hick-
mans hat had been knocked of, and he had
staggered back with an aspect and attitude
Of the most abject alarm. Mr.. Keitt cried
out in loud voice to Hickman, ''Pick up
your hat and 60 away, s0e cent hold this
naan all day.' and, added to Mr.. Breckin-
ridge, who was passing at the moment,
"Take him along" The bewldered Hick-
man collected his hat, and mechanically
obeyed the conservative counsel, and soon,
like one Of the discounted heroes in Homer,
'ascended the Black ships" or took refuge
in some Republican stronghold. Nor has
he been since heard from, SO far as we are
advised, by cartel, military proclamation, or
otherwise.
eve have taken some pains to procure
from an eyewitness a responsible narrative
OF this affair, because we deem it proper to
show the American people that those who
are sowing the seeds Of irreparable strife be-
tween the descendants Of common ancestry
those who taunt brave people with cow
ardice-- those who threaten confederate e.
quals with sufjugation by force-have not
tie courage to protect their own personal
honor, nor to demand redress for an open
and intended insult!
'The heroic Hickman evidently belongs
to the same class with Greedy, Sumner, Rcd
path and others, who under the fauc;ed Sc
curity Of an editorial garrett, or seat in
Congress, libel all whom dignity or distance
prevent from inaicting personal punishment
upon them.
In this case the impudent and impotent
threats of this Bobadil provoked Col ED
mandson to inhct upon him an impromptu
chastisement, but we will take the RESPONSE,
bility Of saying, that if Dir Hickman. or
any one for him. feels aggrieved at the pub
lie indignity, or at any of the allegations Of
this narrative, they can find Virginians up
on whom to display their prowess without
the trouble of even crossing the Potomac. :"