The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-09-20
Gov. Wa rmcush challenger 10 Fight
n Duel Ife Declines the Combat. %
rFrom the New Orleans Picayune, Sept. l4.l


For several days past the absorbing topic
of conversation In private and public cir
cles has been correspondence Of 4 hostile
character between Mr.. John A. Walsh anl
Gov. Yarmouth. AS the facts; In the case
are of general interest, and many distorted
versions of the affair have been given, 1t IL
tdeemed Advisable to state precisely what II
| is about and the present attitude Of the
parties In reference to it. u
The cause Of offence appears to have ori.
einated In the speech OF Gov. Yarmouth
at Turner'S Hall, the 9th Of August. In
commenting upon the political hostility ol
individual Republicans to himself and his
administration, be alluded to the fact that
| Of $4,000 to sign the NicOlson pavement
bill that he had declined to receive such
la consideration, and stated to Mr. Walsh
that nothing could induce him to sign the
| bill. ass' 1'"
MIR. Walsh, in published card in refer.
ence to this charge, admitted the fact. that
he had offered the Governor the sum ID
question, but that the Executive thought
that his signature was worth S75, ,OOO AND
two and half per cent. of the capital
(, stock. He did not charge that the Governor
had demanded this, but left tue inference
| that he had. This was reiterated IN the
card published by George w. Carter, and
| subsequently in the letter of Lieutenant
Governor Dunn. Going to the community
under these three successive endorsements,
Governor Yarmouth felt called upon to
DENY it, and did SO, characteriZing the
statement and its innuendo as point blank
false.
It is this denial--this epithet of falsehood,
which he employed in reference to Mr.
Walsh, for which he is sought to be held
accountable. -
Monday morning the porter of Governor
Yarmouth handed him scaled envelope,
containing q communication signed by MIR.
Walsh, and conveying hostile message;
1t appears that MIR. Peppe Lula, the
friend OF MIR. Walsh, had gone to the State
House with the message, and arrival there
just Us the Governor was descending from
!, bis carriage. He spoke to him, saying,
wish to see you privately" These words
escaped the attention OF the Governor, and
he entered his office, not aware that Mr.,
Lula wished to see him, and with no idea
of the character of his communicat Fail
ing to obtain an interview with the Govern
or, the message was left with the porter,
and subsequently handed to the Executive.
The letter alluded to the point OF yeractY
in question, and suggested the reference OF
it to friends, two Of whom each would Sc
lGCU. luC NOfSlAOl III hto ACPiy WV w
this. saying that whoever those friends con-
cluded to be wrong, that party will ac-
| knowledge it. But this Interpretation was
different from what Mr.. Walsh designed
should be put on his meaning. He de-
clined the arbitramentin In subsequent com.
munication, and avowed his right 10 that
satisfaction usual in such cases with gentle
men.
The Governor has replied to this last
message, declining the interview.
His reasons for It consist in the fact that
the Governor of the State has no right 10
give or receive o challenge; that the cir
cumstances of this case do not warrant MIR.
Walsh in sending him one; that in admit.
ting that he offered the Governor bribe
he confesses to a wrongful act that puts
himself out Of the pale of that social posi-
tiOu which entities him to the privileges OF
the code. He who socks to vindicate in
suited honor must show that honor with.
out blemish, and that the code recognizes
the right Of no. one to assume its protec.
ton In revenge of defeated criminal pur.
pose. .....s..
In this attitude the CORES spondence at
present rests. -.sss..- ..s,- as-r.