Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-06-26

question ls-whether the virginia democracy VIII slue
with the Regular or National Democracy, under the lead
of DOUGLAS or with the Secession Democracy, under the
lead of BRECKIXRIDGs If the DoUGLAsrrEs give way,
the Virginia Democracy are henceforth the serve fol-
lovers of the Gulf State Secession Democracy, and
will no longer occupy the proud position OF being the
members and leaders Of the Regular National DEM
oc1acy Of the whole country.
FATAL RESULT OF THE RENCONTRE IN LYNCH
BURG
We lament to have to state that the rencontre in
Lyuchburg Saturday last mentioned in yesterday morn
ing's Wing has had fatal issue TO Mr.. Joseph But
ton. The Vrginidn Of yesterday has the following in
reference to the deplorable affair;
Ii is known the public that for several days per-
sOnal difficulty has been pending between the editors OF
this paper and those of the Lynchburg RspuJlieaR.
On Saturday afternoon led a rencontre between the
parties which panied to state, WILL in all proba-
bity result fatally to the life Of one it has in the
rious wounding of another Of them.
As the Messrs Button their way to dinner Sat-
urday they encountered the of Church and 18th
streets Messrs Geo. and VIM. Hardwicke OF the Rspn5
Lcan when the parties if by common consent, drew
their pistols and commenced firing. Two OF the balls OF
the Hardwckes took etfect-one on the person OF Mr..
Joseph Button the assistant editor OF the Firginidn,
and The other on the person Of Mr. Robt Button youn-
ger brother also connected with this office. The former
be almost certain will prove fatal having en-
tered the abdomen the navel and passed. it is sup
posed into the vitas. While we indulge the sincere
hope that the will not come yet TO he hop
Ing almost against hope to anticipate favorable ISSUE
The other wound, that Of Robt Button, while painful
dangerous The ball entered the side, but pass
ell around the body without entering the cavity. lie is
not considered in much peril. Mr.. Charles Button and
another brother George, also on the ground aud
participated extent in the conflict but escaped
without injury The MeSSrs Hardwicke also escaped I'M
scathcd through the firing and left the ground without
wound. They have been sent to Jail by the Mayor, TO
await examination. Tne writer acting in the necessary
and painful absence of the editors orbears comment on
this deporable affair He has endeayored to state brief
IL the main facts of the case leaving enlightened
pbc sentiment and the laws OF the land to pronounce
q cir verdicts reSpectingi.
P.S-Since the above was penned the worst fears
hlue been realized. Mr.. Button is dead He ceased to
live about o'clock Saturday evening, having survived
his wound only about five hours. In this hurried
ment of gloom and sadness all we can do is to make
This briet and solemn announcemeut,-leaviug for a
calmer hour the duty OF paying fitting tribute to the
memory and worth OF the departed Conscious that he
has lost valued and devoted friend, the writer lays down
the pen spend in silence rather than euogy these first
hours OF gloom and sorrow.
We regret state also that the of RObt. Button
is regarded fayoraby it earlier in the day
o. nous differ the direction taken by the ball the
physicians have vet failed to extract it. Serious APP
pcohelSOns are felt for him.
The particulars are given more fully in the following
correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch:
LYNcHBURG, Va, June q.
Yesterday, about 2 P. NJ, street fight with pistols
took place al The intersection Of 2th and Church Streets
ia this city between Geo. Iardwcke local editor and
half owner of the Republican, and W. ". Hardwicke
on the one side, and Joseph Button Robert Button Chas
W. Button aud George Button, OF the FirgiHiaH the
her resulting in the death OF joseph Button the local
editor CT the Trglia and dangerous wouuding of Ro
d fn. sl4r "a Ia fll side The hall
lodging IN the vicinity Of the spine. Joseph Button
shot in the abdomen, about three inches in obique
direction below the navel, The bail passing entirely
through his body. He fingered about five hours and
expired about o'clock last evening" previous to which
his diving testimony taken.
There have been various reports in relation to the az
fir, but the following about che facts as
nave been able TO ascertain them For long time bad
feeling has existed between the prcprctors of these
journals and at times disputes editOrialy, have been in
augedu one Of which IN January last, led to person
al rcUcOure between X. H. Glass and &. W Button, the
political editors of the respective sheets. Fortunately
this terminated IN uOh.g serious, both parties being sub
s1qleut!y bound over to keep the peace. During last
March controversy cusued in relation to which Of tie
psrs hli the largest circulation aud at the same cpl
tacls were banded Ga lbs. Wednesday morning IN
favorable article appeared in the editorial column OF the
Nirsi.an rejecting T. IL. G,ass postmaster, who
wa az THAI iima attending the Bu more Convention.
o. Thursday mor-Gg, the following appeared in the
editorial lOiUmu Of tn Il publican:
In the editorial 90 o. the Nrginian, Of yester-
day morning Is 30 article rel Letting upon the editor OF
is paper postmaster OF tnS city The editor OF the
NItsiusu when be ranuod the malicious aad ungeule-
manly paragraph wei! knew that SIR Glass absent in
attendance ou the Baltimore Convention When he re-
turns such notice will doubtless be gwen it as his self
respect d. mirds IL indeed be viii motto, az all anything
euaua"ug from so low aud contemplate source as
as Charles W. Button, the editor OF the Nlrgiuian.
Friday uiOruiDy carl in the NlrrigiI read
follows:
A CAs0-An editorial appeared in Yesterdays Lynch
burg Republican dsuOunc,ug the principal editor o. his
paper for having made legitimate structures based on
spectacle authority, respecting the conduct Of the Lynch
burg POstCicc. have uOt read the article, and viii
not bu, from its tenor, reported to me- pronounce
l. base and cowardy attempt 70 play the bully, where
no danger could be appreheuded from the fact that the
su Jet Of this low ytuperat on was held IN bonds
Watcher the author be Geo. W. Hardwicke, the sou OF
yaErnt VINO sold the streets Of this city for the
OF iitv cents, and Who hLlScl basely submitted
without sstauce street foggiug, and afterwards
70 escape s repetition had his aSaiAnt bound over
an anonymous scrijbler, denouuce him cowardly
rulian Jos Button.
During tie day friday quite sensation seemed to
prevail throughout tie city, and the merits and dement's
OF tac articles dispute aud parties in question: freely
discussed In fact reucontre was exp. cted and the
officers the alert; but it happened that the
parties did not meet On Saturday morning nothing
,ting the affair appeared in the Republican, but the
following card was in the Nirglnian
"A CAED-Deemng j. due 10 myself, and to that en-
Gghtened public opinion which makes the grave
tuary not ruthessy be invaded have express re-.
greet that in abiding Yesterday to Geo w Hardwcke of
the Lyuchburg epublcan-whose assault upon the re-
speciality OF the editors OF this paper some time since
justified the inference that he obiyious to his own
lineage referred to the dead, have no retracon to
make OF any remark applicable to the said Hsrdwicke
Jos. BUrToN
The next we hear Of IT, the parties meet, and after
exchanging fifteen twenty shots with result
above stated find the Messr HardNcke under arrest
aud finally remanded jail await the examining trial
John G. Perry connected with the Republican, arrest
ed charged with being accessory before the but eeas
ed without examination. Wonderful it may ap-
pear both of the Hardwickes unhurt though fired
at many times The weapons used were 6ve-shooters
OF the most formidable character. Distances fifteen
twenty PAGES. A gentleman who saw the firing states
it to be his impression that Robert Button fred first
WHILE learn the dying testimony of JOS. Button is
to the effect that George Hardwcke fired first Anoth
gentleman who in sight at the time, states that
the first he of Jos. Button in the act Of firing
his pistol. William Hardwicke had position in the
street distance from George and after firing the
tents of his weapon, exclaimed that he of lead
aud walked in DR.. Gilmer Walkers Office few steps
distant at the time hallooing 10 George who
by this time also of ammunition to 90 in the house,
and not stand a mark to be shot at, with of
defence, when ne qua, y. w. Button IN the meantime
making several Intellectual attempts TO shoot him.
The prevailing opinion is that Joseph Button shot
by George Hardwicke, and Robert Button by William,
though this will be matter of judicial investigation
The affair naturally created considerable excitement,
and many shocked in consequence Of its tragica
termination. Many reports exist and my letter might
be extended to indefinite length but for fear that
something might be stated prejudcial parties
cCrned
Laic.-Slnce writing the above, learn that little
hopes entertained of the recovery of Robert Button
being the opinion of his physicians that he cannot