The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-24

they suppose there Is anything cowardy in me.
Now. after all you heard yesterday Of General
Burnside, ne is not as plucky man as people sup
pose. / was with him in the field. and know It,"
FIGHTING NOT THE WAY TO SETTLE THE QUESTION
THE PEOPLE SUSTAIN sfRAGUE.
"But don't believe fighting Is the way to settle
these matters. The little anair IN the Senate last
night only shows that my speeches have stirred
these fellows up. At first they attempted TO pooh
pooh me, but they nnd now that the people are be-
hind me, and that sort OF thing won't do Why, l
get more letters now BY every mail from the State
OF Indiana than Senator Norton does, and 1t Ia so
from all the other States"
The reception Of these letters has evidently tckled
the Senator when he gets on that SUBJECT he talks
with much satisfaction.
"These letters" he continued, "are not the ord
nary sort of letters that senators receive begging
for speeches or documents. They come from frat
class men; business men, who understand what
am after and who sympathise with the movement
have inaugurated.n
congratulated him on getting the Senate to allow
him to print his letters In the Globe. He laughed
heartily and said:-"That's just what l wanted.
That is why read them in 80 low tone OF voice.
knew they would soon get tired, and / was deter
mined to 60 through with the entire list If they had
not given me leave to print them. You ought,n he
said, ITO get the Globe and read those letters.
They will occupy four or Ave copies Of the GLOBE"
Promising that would get the Globe and look at
the letters anc expressing hope that he would not
be called upon to visit Bladensburg, 1 left the
Senator from Rhode Island. As came out noticed
a large number Of persons sitting in the spacious
parlors waiting to see the man who loomed up and
become famous all of sudden. The House was
filled with visitors all day, learned and the Senator
who regards himself as the peoples friend, II not
the peoples lawyer, saw oil comers
INTERVIEW WITH SENATOR ABBOTT
Leaving sprague's abode your correspondent next
proceeded to the lodgings OF the good looking large
chested and belligerent Abbott Senator Abbott has
his rooms Thirteenth street, near f. in comfort
able looking house, where he receives his friends
with something like the old Southern frankness and
genlality. When your correspondent was ushered
into the Senator's presence he found him ensconced in
an easy chair placed by an open window commanding
view Of all the passers on the street. His position
suggested the idea Of general the lookout, for
he so placed that he could easily ascertain who
might be approaching his CITADEL His countenance
was serene and his manner showed not the
least sign Of apprehension. He looked as If he
expected the lion Of Rhody might come, but he did
not care well, fg-whether Re aid OF not, Close
by the Senator and recl,.ng In rocking chair per-
lectl s - mis- ease was gentleman Of color, who
evidently enjoyed the friendship and esteem Of Mr.
Abbott The colored gentleman enjoyed the glori-
os privilege Of Senatorial condescension. Directly
opposite Mr.. Abbott was specialized gentleman
named Martin, who was white.
"Walk in, Mr.. -" said the Senator; stake a
seat sir, motioning to sofa.
II find 1t is unnecessary to ask you one question,
at all events" said your correspondent inspecting
the Senator closely to discover any wounds or marks
of O recent combat
''What is that, sir ?" Intercepted the Senator
Observation-Disclosures you are still safe and
sonnd, and in the land Of the living.
SENAToR-(smilIng)-O Oh, see your meaning. Yes,
sir have not been entirely demolished yet
CoRREsPoNDENT-The city has been full OF start
ling stories to-day SENATOR and one Of them credits
yourself and Senator sprague with duel.
sENAToR-1aughing heertiIy)-Indeed, SIR
CORREsPONpENT-Yes, Senator; and what Is more,
you were shot all to pices.
SENGroR-daughng)- sir, I'm glad to find
myself put together again;
CORRESPONpENT-Then am to understand there
has been no collision as yet, Senators
sPRAGUE MUST RETRACr THE OBJECTIONABLE
WORDS OR BE PUBLICLY DIsGRAcED.
sENArOR-Precisely, sir. No collision has oc-
Cured, sir. But-(and here the Senator became
serious)-this much want understood by Senator
Sprague ard HIS friends-that he must make a
retraction, as broad as the implication that am
70 e IN * esf a. was
duellist as said in my personal explanation last
night, but can suffer no man with lmpunty 10
call me puppy dog. He must either reTact, Sir, or
follow him through life: come from State, sir,
suits. The people of my State would think very
strangely Of me were l to submit tamely TO the
CoEsspoNDESr~x good deal of the old chvalry is
left In North Carolina yet, Senatory
sENAToR-Yes, sir: That KIND Of chivalry, at
least remains. In the town where / live | am
known as one who is not in theahabit Of permitting
anybody to insult him. They know me well there,
AZ a0I1a hnvd anP
otherwise affronts me that man has either to apollo
gize or fight.
wilmington. Mr. Martin, there point
ing to the white gentleman oppositel knows what
the people in that town think about such matters.
Why sir If were to lie under this insult my people
would turn me out OF the state whenever might
show my face there.
sENAroR-No sir; I have not. have remained
here most Of the DAY, expecting tnat gentleman OF
up to this moment have not received q line or
call. When found Sprague had left the Senate i
accused him OF skulking away, and naturally
Thought he would take some notice or that express
sion to-day; but, as said before, he has not
message from him; but have you sent him any CON-
mnnica lonY
SENArGR-Not yet
RErRACTIoN TO BE DEMANDED on SATURDAY.
SENAToR-I do sir. shall wait patiently until to.
morrow. Then, not having heard from him, shall
address him short little note calling for retracon.
II he makes O retraction, all right. don't want to
proceed any further But II he declines, then must
see to it that other satisfaction is rendered me. You
see the position he would have placed lin me. He
had the last say with the public, leaving me branded
posed TO let the matter SO rest. | felt justl-
lied in callina public attention to the remarks
retraction as broad and full as the i'm
putation. That was my object In asking an
opportunity for public explanation: Had spraguee
night / should have asked him aloud In the senate
whether he intended by his remarks TO apply the
term spuppyn to me. If he then answered yes
l should have sat down quietly In my seat; for
never for moment designed violating the rules OF
the Senate or committing any act that would have
disgraced the body TO which have the honor to be-
long, would have waited another opportunity out
side the Senate 10 demand satisfaction of another
kind.
CoRREsPoNDENT-som people here say that you
threatened to slap Spragues face In case he should
rof,,a t<,a ,,nIosx lei lint .,,a