Middletown transcript., 1871-02-25
MIDDLEOWN NEW

privcd Of his pay. During a residencs
abroad. which he immeditely sought, war
was declared between England and the
United States, and, because Barron did
not instantly return and offer himself for
service, Decatur officially opposed his
claims when he did For this Barron
challenged him. and at their meeting on
tho 22nd Of March. fatally wounded him
That there was no necessity for this hos
tile meeting, even according to the code,
and that Decatur would have suffered
neither in official nor social position had
nc refused to accept Barron's chaiiengc,
is evident from the decision subsequently
given by Barron's own court Of inquiry
that =" his absence from the United States, !"
at the time complained Of by Decatur.
- was contrary to his duty as an officer. ~
This affair is shown even more clearly to
have been unnecessary by what occurred
on the field after shots had been exchang-
ed. Both were wounded--faially. it was
supposed. For convenience they had
been moved near to each other In fret,
they lay side by side. In this position,
each suppo,ng his lifr-blood to bc obbing
away, and each suffering excruciating pain
they came to an understanding.
~ was never your enemy, Barron"
remarked Decatur, "and in my of,icia!
opposition to you. was influenced By no
personal il-fcelinga
! know it, replied Barron, suppos-
ing himself 10 be mor,ally wounded, "and
forgive my death"
Z" Bat" rejoined Decatur, "why did
you not come home, Barron. when war
was declared, and help to Ggh, your
coun,rys battle's!'
:" was too poor" replied Barron. ~
could not get away. My creditors KEEP,
me from returning. Debt alone. not wan,
Of patriotism, was the cause Of my delay" :"
Had | known that" replied Decatur,
" we sbonli not be lying here
That infraciion Of the code did not ne
ccssarily involve social ostracism Is cvi-
dent from the fact that De Witt Clinton
left the ie!l with impuniy while Swart-
wou;. his opponent, was protesting he was
not satisfied. After the first sho, the lat
ter demanded second. and. after the
second, a third Neither was wounded.
:" Is your principal satisfied Z" asked
Rikrr, Cln,on's second.
" H. j, uo', : REPLIED s@i;h. after con-
sul,ug Swartwou,
The fourth shot was then exchanged
rlin;nn's ball entering the calf Of Swart-
wouts lcg.
Is ynpr ptipsiFal satisfied nov ~ de-
man lei hii,tr.
&" He i. not replied Smith.
Shots were exchanged iha fifth time
a,.l again Cliu,ons ball entered Swar,-
wout, leg.
Rikcr again asked the question. Is
your principal satisfied, Mr. Smith ?"
After moments consultation with
Swartwou,. who, standing while the sur
gen extracted the bullets from his leg
manifested grca, iurti;alg, Smith replied
that lie was not
! Then he may 20 70 hell for will
ligh, no more replied Clinton, and i'm
madiatcly left the field.
Henry Clay maintained. even after his
opinions on the subject of duelling had en-
,ircly changed, that there were occasions
upon w|ieb u man could not honorably
decline either to give or acccp, n challenge,
aud himself, where he had been nsult'i
for tho very purpose Of branding him a
coward, provided he refused 10 resent it,
Clay was Secretary Of State: John Quin-
cy Adams was President, i. Randolph was
in the Senate In speech Of the corr
est sarcasm AID nnst bitter inycc,yc. the
latter a.saled Clay in language like the
following:
" This mmn--maakind. iteg yau' par-
tiyn--this wOrm-ge RRe animais, }or-
yirs Tie iasaii--pus spit out of tie pOn,b
of modnHcsS, Wds raisei 10 It station high
az thar he ,eas Lora 10. .for he irds rdscd 10
tie socicty et uaeLgaariaf -
Wha, was to be deaey The insult was
public; it was intentional. Randolph was
the first gentleman Of Virginia, The 50.
cic,y in which he aud Mr.. Clay moved re-
cngnzcd the duel Disgrace in his own
State aud among gentlemen of the South
at home aud abroad would be certain TO
follow any deviation from the code
"Of course" said Mr. Clay. 4" chal-
lcncci him | could not do otherwise
Had shown the white feather. eyen Mas
sachusctts would have scornel me-
The pleasant result Of tho meeting is
we'll known. The shot of Mr.. Clay pas
scd through his opponents coat. Mr.,
Randolph discharged his pistol in the air.
Iic had previously said tic would do SO,
but upon being demonstrated with upon
the folly of standing q be shot down, had
replied:
Well, IL SEQ tho devil in Clny's eye,
tn Grc."
The instant the pistols were discharged,
Mr.. Clay. touched by Randolph's mag
nanimity. approached, and. offering his
hand. said
~ hope you are not hart. Mr.. Ran.
dclph. For the world would not have
touched you after what has occurred
:" You owe me new coat, Clay" re-
piled Rondolph. showing tho rent mad,
by the ball--to which Clay rcjoined: