Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-09-04
RADICAL CHIvALRY.-BURLINGAME
Akn RROGKG.

Is an unmitigsted lie. Its falsehood
could neither have been unknown to the
author or publisher. For nothing was
ever more fully ventilated by the Press
thsn was the BURLINGAME BROOKS
fasco, at the time of Its occurrence. 1t
Is of s piece with that low, detestsble
and ~splenetic mslevolenee which Char
scterizes every uttersnce in regard to the
South by Rsdicslism, especially by that
bsser form of it prevalent in the New
England States. So fsr is this spirit of
detrsction carried thst sven in the histo-
ries of the country, prepared for schools
by Radical authors, almost the entire
annals Of the South constitute a huge
fslsehood and a horrible libel on her
people. These men seem to be ANNA
ted by the same devilish resentment we
have witnessed In some individuals,
who, angry because the world will not
credit them at their estimate, take
satisfaction out Of it by attempting to
soil every one above them.
We are no disciple of the "Code of
Honor" a it is termed. We rather re-
gard it with adherence. 1t is however
better than the street fight, which lie
often nothing more than assassination.
We do not W. believe that the fighting
Of q duel is shy true test Of courage We
have always regretted that the duel, as
well as the street fight, should have been
8 feature Of Southern society. 1t was
certainly not altogether consistent with
the high and polished standards Of South
ern civilization. Perhaps it was insep-
cradle from that absorbing individusllsm
naturally begotten OF the peculiar in
stitution." However, it was infinitely
superior to that social condition in New
England, which allows with impunity
the grossest abuse and the most libeilous
attacks on private character. If society
will not punish by ostracism the vulgar
c~aluminstor, and the rnnsnIy insult, in
diyiduAls should not be blamed for sell.
Yindication.
Thls man BURLINGAME chose in tine
most supplementary Language in Con-
gress, and in the most insulting way TO
refer to q personal collision between
SUMNER and. BROOKS. all gentlemen
VIII instinctively recognize, that the in
trusion by B-URLINGAME into a nriyste
quarrel Of Mr.. BROOKS, and the intro
duction Of that affair into the House. Of
which both were members, was a gross
Violation Of all rules of deeorum and Of
parliamentary usage. For this he was
sought to be held to personal RESPONSE.
bility by BROOKS and was challenged.
1t is true that he accepted the challenge.
but with that adroitness peculiar to the
school Of men to which he belongs. in
such a way as to defeat the object of the
cartel. 1t was at the time Iaugha-
bly, notorious that BURLINGAME's friends
gave the utmost publicity to the probable
" hostile meeting" while the e-orrasnon-
dence was pending, so that it would have
been difficult with the awakened vigil
nce Of the guardians of the peace.U To
have consummated the affair even at
any of the convenient places" in the
vicinity Of Washington. But to render
the meeting still more imprseticsble.
BURLINGAME insisted that he could onIv
fight at Niagara. The telegraph had al
ready advised the public Of the belljgar-
ent e~ventualities between the parties.
1t would have been impossible for the
parties both to have left Washington for
the Canada "ground" without the infor-
nation preceding thom to all The large
towns and cities on the route, thus rem
dering certain the arrest of n or both.
and the failure of the proposed meeting.
So far from BROOKS not respond
ing, as alleged in the Eclectic" he
most emphaticAlly responded, and
urged that the fight be attempted at some
point near Washington, which might
be rapidly reached, Notwithstanding
the publicity which had been given to
the affair, truly representing that to
essay reaching so distant a point as that
insisted on by BURILNGAME would, I'M
der the circumstances, result in their
arrest and render them both ridiculous.
But BURLINGAME was only the more
imPOrtunate for Canada. The friends of
Brooks very properly considered that
B-URLINGAME was trlfIng, and that be
desired the ecLat of l.. duelist without
mourning any risk. Such was the esti-
mate put upon his conduct generally
at the time, while many persons sttrib-
uted a darker motive to him in wishing
to drag Brooks through communities.
too, at that time Unexpectedly excited
against him, and, in which a mob could
have been easily invoked against him.
Be this as it may with gentlemen familiar
with such affairs, BURLINGAME certain.
ly made himself in this business with
BROOKS 8 laughing stock st the time.
We would never have alluded to this
matter, had not the article msde so stud.
led an effort to sulIy the fame of BROOKS
and had it nOt so evidently been peuned
In that spirit Of spite and hatred toward
the South, to which we have Diverted. |
PRESTON s. Brooks is dead, and can
40 longer defend his name from asper-
sion. Whatever faults he mad, and
doubtless there were ia him some grave
enough, he had too often on the battle
field, as well as in personal encounter,
ihown the highest courage for that to be
doubted. Moreover be was no sham;
lor would he over seek reputation for
Ierve, while adroitly playing to avoid
he ultimate peril Of such ~pretensien.
When the friends Of Mr.. BURLINeAME
eek to manufacture for him a character
or courage, by aspersing the noble dead,
hey cannot complain if the transaction
n which this claim is attempted to be
'ssed, should be ventilated to his dis
redit.
AS an illustration Of the coming DEM
cratic victory In the country note the
esuits OF the State elections held thus
ar in 1899.