Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1870-04-16
ASHTABULA, OHIO, SATURDAY, APRIL 16. 1870
The Late Mr. Bulingame.


REMINIsCENCEs OF TIE BROOKS AFFAIR.
a correspondent communicates the follow.
Ing to the New York 7'ribune;
The death OF Anson Burlingame nat.
urally recalls the at one time prospectiye
duel between that lamented gentleman
and Preston Brooks, Of South Carolina.
| remember the formers own account of
the affair, which was related with great
modesty, and with the good taste that
characterized his conduct both in public
and private life. After he had made IN
his mind to accept Brooks challenge
convinced that its acceptance would
have good moral effect, he informed n.
i. Banks, his most intimate friend, and
at that time Speaker OF the House. of the
intention he had formed. Banks election
TO the speakership, as will be remember.
ed, had been regarded as great political
triumph, of which any man in the land
might have been, proud. No doubt it
was I he measure of his ambition, the
crownng glory of his career. But when
Baillngamc, in the quiet of his own
room, stood beside his friend, looking out
at the moonlight, and gave him his con-
hdence on the subject, Banks drew near
er, aud, putting his arm about his waist.
with all the tenderness Of woman. said
IN low and earnest tone: "Burlingame,
do let me go with you as your second,
and } will resign the speakership."
No, will not permit it :" was the re-
ply; you shall not make such sacrifice
for me"
81 wish you would. 1t would be a
pleasure to me. No sacrifice is too great
for friendship. l am willing to lay down
my lite tor the man regard as do you.
Only say the word, and will be ready
in half an hour. | ask to do this AS a
trend-as one man asks another for ia.
vor."
Banks persisted; Burlingame obstinate
ly refused.
The same evening, Lewis d. Campbell.
then the representative from Butler Co.,
OHIO, offered his services as second, and
all the necessary arrangements were
made. When the two were in the su.
herbs of Washington, and Buringame
was practicing with pistol, he saw a
snake about twenty feet distant, and
said, aiming his pistol, "Campbpll, ifI kill
that snake shall come out of this affair
all right. And if | don't-well, then |
won't" AS he spoke he fired, and the
bullet struck off the reptiles head.
"By Jove," laughed Campbell" if
Brooks could have seen that he'd either
back out or send his order to the under
taker."
Burlingame,on accepting the challenge,
had named rifles, which Brooks friends
declined, because they were unusual
weapons, and because their principal was
totally unskilled in their use. The sec
ond of the member from Massachusetts
then agreed to fight with pistols, or any
weapon that Brooks friend might choose.
Canada having been designated as the
place of meeting, Burlingame and Camp
bell set out TOR the North as secretly AS
possible. Reaching this city at night,
they were compelled to wait until morn
ing for the next train. They slept at the
Everett House, and Burlngame was
awakened in the morning 10y the camor of
the newsboys under the window, crying,
mo duel after all /! Bully Brooks backed
down! Defeat of the Southern fire-eat-
ers," &c, &c. He said ,jestingly of this,
81 had fully made up my mind to figth ;
but l don't think the fact that | didn't
have to, interferred with my appetite for
breakfast. Indeed believe breakfast that
morning tasted little better than it had
for several days"
Burlingame never failed to do justice
to Brooks. He always thought the at
tack on Senator Sumner was instigated
by others, and that the remorse engen-
dered by the act, which was SO little in
harmony with the South Carolinian's an
tecedent, was the indirect cause of his
death; that Brooks, naturally gentle
man, aud constitutionally brave, had, in
a weak moment, allowed his passion and
his prejudice to get the better of his
Judgment and his honor.
Both are dead now, and it is pleasant
to know that the sectional antagonisns
leading to the difficulty are buried with
the thousands who have fallen since in
their defense.