The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-17
1LittIe Pieasantries -


THAT debatable ground for conflict of arms
between the North and South-the city of
Washington-has again witnessed a little
melee between distinguished gentlemen"
The facts of the case are rather interesting.
DR.. Sidney, of Mississippi. has been staunch
Unionist throughout the war. Judge Abel
has been an intense secessionist since "reason
held her sway in his distracted globe" Some
two years since difficulty between these
gentlemen resulted in rencontre, in which
pistol shots were exchanged, but "nobody
hurt" After this slight exhibition of friendly
relations, the parties did not meet until, on
Tuesday last, they came face to face In the
Capital grounds Immediately upon behold
ing the Doctor, the Judge advanced, and with
nnrt anv previous proVocation, saluted him
Southernerp Sidney, sluuSdy Il raneqade
adage that g Actions speak louder than
words" preserved sublime silence, and
knocked the Judge down. One would have
supposed that the Judge, when he made such
an attack, would have naturally been pre-
pared for such catastrophe, and have armed
himself for the emergency; but no such fore
sight was exhibited. No sooner was the
form of his Honor picked up, than he peace
fully departed, and in the afternoon sent a
challenge, which, being accepted, was fol-
lowed in the evening by note of apology,
in which the legal functionary stated that
his salutation to DR.. Sidney was intended as
"a little pleasantly"
"Now, ifyou leave man at two in the
morning." says Dickens, Gin the best possible
humor, and meet him again at ten, and he,
without provocation, calls you a serpent, it
is natural to suppose that something has
happened" The same logic applies to tne
present case. fyou fight duel with a man
on a political difference, and the next time
he meets you he advances, without word
of explanation, and calls you cd rene
gade," it is natural to suppose that he desires
another fight. But this logic has proved
fallacious. An oath and an epithet of oppro-
brium is merely "little pleasantryp
We have our own theory in regard to the
probabilities OF the case. We cannot but
think that the Judge did not expect the
Doctor to resent the insult. Imbued with
the idea that the supremacy of the South for
courage was still an acknowledged fact, he
thought that he could insult with impunity a
man who had been true to his country. The
rapid blow and the immediate acceptance of
a challenge proved his mistake. 1t is seldom
that we find case in the code of honor in
which the party who is struck, and who sends
a challenge, is the one to apologize. A blow
generally calls forth something more than a
mere explanation. We should suppose that the
notes which contained the "little pleasantly"
gave word of warning for the future.
"Twice you have kicked me, sir; three times
you have smacked my face; now beware of a
sixth ofense."
The despatch which tells us of the occur
renee also adds that "the friends of the mar
tics are very indignant at the result" II ia
strange, for most friends design to act "a
seconds. The dramatist re presents the
unfortunate " Bob Acres as begging his
friend 70 give his love to lis family, which il
entirely dependent on him Tor support, and
eagerly asking i i'm whether he does not
think his duty demands that he should
rise above passion, and live to maintain them.
And the iiiend assuring him that be will