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

fOCLeT anu lAyoA'
"Tbc sequel will demonstrate" SAID
Roger A. Pryor, of Virginia. Let 1t
monstrate," said John b. Potter, OF
Wisconsin. ut has demonstrated" re-
spends everybody everywhere. The per-
son who will needlessly provoke con
trovcrsy, aud taunt bis adversary With
lack of courage, and then, on the iimslest
pretense, peremptorily invite him to NOR
tai combat, and when his challenge is ac-
cepted, refuse to fight on the allegation
that the weapons seledted are unusual,
they aGording to each party an equal ad-
vantage, must. by the general judgement
Of men, be written down braggart and
a coward.
To 20 back a little. Roger A. Pryor
brought into the House of Representa-
tiYes reputation for rare skill in the
dnezzo. His friends and hackers also pre-
tended th at he was q man OF extraordlna
ry steadiness of nerve, and of the most
unouestionnble courage. Early in the
session, he gave indications that be was
eager to enhance this reputation, and was
ready to put his nerve aud courage to the
trial, on all o,casions, suitable and un-
suitable. 1t was evident from the outset
of tao struggle for the Speaksrshi2 that
the more turbulent aud situPoratise class
of Southern members regarded Pr5or as
their organ and leader. He was thrust
forward in every ezigency to utter the
sharp sayings, to give the lie, and deal
out the general abuse toward the Oppo'l-
ton side Of the Chamber. In these occa-
sions he openly or covertly alluded to the
duelipg code, sometimes giving bis oppo-
nents to understand, in the most Patroniz
ing STYLE, that he had no Intention OF In
sokipg its aid, in that particular instance
in bis own behalf; and then, again, ln-
forming his antagonists, in the haueht'est
manner, that if they felt aggrleved they
had their remedy under the code.
Following this general line OF polIey
ana being careful always to pick his quar-
rels with those who esehewed the code,
bis frst encounter was with Mr.. Nelson
quiet, elderly member from Tennessee
He came out of this contest orestfalien
and With the laugh OF the House ringing
nitilessly in his ears. He afterward
made a most abusive assault upon Mr.
Sherman, using toward him, and at
time when that gentleman, from the deli
caoy of bis position as candidate t0r tht
chair, could not reply, language that out
ragged all the canons Of parliamentary Ian
and good breeding. His nezt attack vas
upon SIR. Hickman, whom be called, II
substance, liar; and, when mildly re
buked for it By his senior colleague, MIR
Nillson, repeated the insult with men
are. and referred Hickman for redress L
tue code. Not long after, he set all th'
rules of social deeency at defiance b7 al
assault, alike vulgar and brutal, on tht
floor Of the House, upon the wife OF th'
editor Of onc Of our city cotenPoraries.-
The violent blows be received in retarr
for this scand alous proceeding kept hln
rather quiet for while. But, painting
for uoio,iety, he made his recent attacI
upon Mr. Lovejoy, which led, by plai
path, to his affair with Mr Potter.
The principles OF this journal, in regar'
to the code recog pized among duelists ar
well understood, and need lot now be re
peated. We leave those principles t
yindicate themselves, while we eontem
: plate, from its own exceptional stand
toiu,, the peculiar case of Mr.. Potter.
Doubtless, his prompt acceptance
; Mr. Pryor's peremptOry challenge will b
7" condemned by many persons whose goo
opinion be would not willingly forfeit
all such persons should know that Nj
J., Potter, 90 far from being duelist, sin
cerely regards the code as a relic OF BAL
harism. But, so base!ess were to
I grounds, even within the canons OF tn
ccde. upon which Pryor challenged hli
to eombat, that he and bis friends be
Iieved that a deliberate purpose wa
formed to take his life, and that, there
fore, it was a mere question whether h
would fight according to prescribed rule:
or, declining to do so, would subject hin
self to the hazards of street assault.
an upcarded moment, after the manner
Edmundson's attack upon Hickman
Reasons, not patent to all, but known
I him, induced Potter to believe that, if b
declined the duello, he would be liable
assassination; and. therefore, he accepte
Pryors challenge.
But Mr.. Potter was actuated by nc
d tives higher and broader than any mer
h personal considerations. We dout
, whether brayer man lives. He ba
" that calm, self.reliaut courage that a
ways measures its words and deeds, tha
e uever acts upon unreasoning impulse, tia
S moves forward to its position after cor
+ .iderate estimate of ultimate consequer
u ces; and, once having taken Its grounC
e pever yields it but with life. He fel
II that, 10 this case, deliberate effort wa
+ being made to sacrifice freedom OF speec
on the floor of the House of Represents
, tiyes, and to dishonor and disgrace th
D Republican portion of the chamber; an
II that each of these interests was, for tn
o time, com united to his keeping, and wa
Il 4 in his yarann II