The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-08-12

tne. kfSpN0RcQTI@s OF, :, are you one VI 'sho
editors of, the ReputiicG GIVE do not.
know exactly which. The gentleman qnes.
toned dreplied, i ."Yes." Dawson, as he asked
Repubkcos,, and pointed to an article in
which it was stated that certain gentle
man (Mr. Seabrook) had caited Dawson into
several DAYS sickness, and stuffed DaWsons
mouth full of sand into the bargain and
that the said Dawson had got behind the
Catholic Church when challenged to fight
duel. These statements were exactly true.
Mr.. Dawson had struck Mr.. Seabrook, and
Mr. IsSsabrook In return had beaten this edi-
tor of the Nesrs within an inch of his Lite
kicked him and stuffed his mouth full OF
sand. AS to the statement concerning the
duel, it appears that Dawson had some .al-
sercation With Colonel Alfred Rhett, and
Knowing that o challenge to fight q duel
was coming, he published an article
making the cowardly statement that he
was q member OF the Catholic Church,
and, therefore, could. not fight, we'll
knowing as he did that Catholic
countries have been among the most cele-
brated duelling grounds Of all the earth.
As he held out the copy of the paper Mr.
Fox, who was busy writing, unsuspecting-
" held out his hand to MIR. Dawson to
shake hands, when the latter struck the
former, even In the. act Of shaking hands.
Imme ediately there was rough and tum-
ble scene, Dawson eXclalilming In pseous
tones, as some one else seized and beat
him, !" Two to one two to one :" DaW-
son came within an ace Of going out OF the
window Zone man has been killed by going
out of window of the same buildiDg), but
a feeling OF 'pity-a weakness perhaps 1t
was-induced his antagonist to hold him
from The fate which threatened him. DaW-
son went down the street with torn coat
and other demonstrations in the hands OF
two colored policemen, and was bound
over to appear at court in N November.
Mr. Dawson acted the part OF a miserable
poltroon and coward, as he is. He struck
Mr.. Fox while the latter, seated was in
the very act of pleasantly extending to him
the courtesies of his office. After the first
blow Mr.. Dawson had no advantage what
ever, and could have been killed in mo-
ment, for there gathered Immediately
dozen Of the friends OF the assailed, but the
latter, in moment of pity, after Dawson
had been pounded sufficiently, generously
let him 60. =" Z
We again proclaim +. W. Dawson q cow
ard and brute. He had not the courage to
say to Mr.. Fox, "We will fight this out"
but he must needs strike the latter while he
was sitting in chair busy at his work. The
latter would have been willing to have fought
him-if it be really necessary to defend free
speech and free press in South Carolina by
physical force--and if it be necessary will
fight him now in any manner he. desires.
We believe in argument rather than force,
but if the ideas of the Reformers" are
really played out, and they feel it incum-
bent upon them to appeal to brute force, so
be it then. If the club. and the knife, and
the pistol, are to settle the question OF free
speech and free press In South Carolina,
then the eighty.seven thousand Republl-
cans are prepared for the issue. The. edi-
tors of the Republican, too, are ready.
The next man who comes into this office to
ask about editorials in belligerent way,
whether born in South Carolina, or in the
the Bahamas, or in EnSland-Utde claims of
Dawson-will gain a reception in which
there will be no such pity as that extended
to-day to the person who edits the would
be successor Of the Charleston Mercury.
We repeat it, the next man who bellige-
rently asks questions in this .ofticc about
this or that editorial will be faced with the
best Colts pistol we can purchase. owe
don't insert this as special advertisement
for Colts pistol, but Colts happens to be
the first pistol of which we thiak1
MIR. Dawson claims that the cause OF the
assault was the editorial statement in yes
terday's Republican that he 90 got behind
the Catholic Church when challenged to
fight duel" We repeat the statement,
and emphasize it, and this community will
support it. He did not dare to meet Colo
mel Rhett, and so trumped up this misera-
BILE subterflIge about the Catholic Church.
He further did not dare meet in Il square
Wav Tin. S4e he assaulted this morning, but
cowardly struck him while the latter Va 5
in the act of shaking hands-a courtesy we
would extend to the humblest who comes
to see lis on business.