Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-09-22
THE DUELL0.
The Governor Challenged by John
A, walsh.

hAhG Wv ~ 49,
A. walsh.
The following from the Evening Pic
ayune of the l4th inst. is correct state
ment of the case referred to: .i ieu
For several days past the absorbing
topic of conversation in private and pub
lie circles has been a correspondence of
hostile character between Mr.. John A..
Walsh and Governor Warmoth. As the
facts in the case are Of general interest,
and many distorted versions of the af-
fair have been given, it is deemed ad-
visable to state precisely what it is about,
and the present attitude of the parties
in reference to it. D
The cause of offense appears to have
originated in the speech of Governor
Warmoth at Turner Hall on the ninth of
August. In commenting upon the po-
litical hostility of individual Republicans
to himself and his administration, he
alluded to the fact that Mr.. John A..
Walsh had offered him bribe of $780,
900 to sign the Nicolson pavement bill.
That he had declined TO receive such a
consideration, and stated to Mr.. Walsh
that nothing could induce him to sign
the bill. o n'a9l AH
Mr.. Walsh in published card in ref
erence to this charge, admitted the fact
that he had offered the Governor the sum
in question, but that the executive
thought that his signature was worth
$75, 900 and two and half per cent of
the capital stock. He did not charge
that the Governor had demanded this,
but left the 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
tnree successive Endorsements, Governor
Warmoth felt called upon to deny it, and
did so, charaeterizing the statement and
its inuendo as point blank false.
1t is this denial-this epithet Of false
hood, which he employed in reference to
Mr. Walsh, for which he is sought to be
held accountable. 1aI 1913 aD
Monday morning the porter of Cover
nor Warmoth handed him sealed en-
velop, containing q communication
signed by Mr.. Walsh, and conveying a
hostile message.
1t appears that Mr.. Peppe Lula, the
friend of Mr.. Walsh, had gone to the
State House with the message, and ar
rived there just as the Governor was de-
scending from his carriage. He spoke
to him, saying, wish to see you pri-
vately." These words escaped the at
tention Of the Governor, and be entered
his office. not aware that Mr.. Lula
wished to see him, and with no idea of
the character of his communication.
Failing to obtain an interview with the
Governor, the message was left with the
porter, and subsequently, handed to the
executive The letter alluded 10 the
point of veracity in question, and sug-
gested the reference of it to friends, two
of whom each would select. The Gsv-
ernor,i in his reply, agreed to this, say
ing that whoever those friends conclude
to be wrong, that party will acknowledge
1T. But this Interpretation was different
from what Mr. Walsh designed should
be put on his meaning He declined
the arbitration in 0 subsequent commu-
nieation, and avowed his right to that
satisfaction usual in such cases among
gentlemen.
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 to
give or receive a challenge; that the
circumstances ia this case do not war
rant Mr.. Walsh in sending him one; that
in admitting that he offered the Cover
DOR bribe, he confesses to wrongful
act, that puts him out Of the pale of
that social position which entities him
to the privileges Of the code. He who
seeks 10 yindicate insulted honor, must
show that honor without blemish, and
that.the code recognizes the right of no
one TO assume Its protection in revenge
of defeated criminal purpose.
In this attitude the correspondence at
present rests. fr m