New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-05-09
From Washington Letter to Cincinnati Commerce
A Louisiana Statesman.
A Lively sketch OF Speaker Carter

l saw the profile of face that seemed to
be without cultivation or refinement it was
indeed, rather coarse. did not care to meet
him; but after few moments Carter came
over, and we were introduced. As soon as |
obtained full view of his face l could see
that he was something more than an ordinary
man, and became interested in him. He is
about five feet ten or eleven inches high, light
complexion, handsome brown hair which is
rather long, an auburn mustache, the ends
falling down over the corners of q rather sem
'sual mouth. His forehead is rather low, but
full above the eyes. His head is large and
his body Observation-Disclosures slightly bent
His eyes and the expression of his face are
mild, but there is something in his face that
is wicked, or at least something that tells
people he is not to be trifled with. He does
not dress quite as well as an ex-speaker of
the Louisiana Legislature should dress, espe-
cially one who has so lately kicked up such an
awful row. He had on dark military coat
and cape, flaming green neck-tie, and
shirt that was a tritie sOiled. He had brown
SLOUGH hat in one hand and massive gold cane
in the other, and he ''wrestled" big chew in
his mouth. He said his age was nearly 40
years. asked him what his occupation was.
Il am a lawyer nOw.o ''What were Won be-
fore ?'' Legislator" Before that ?n
"Colonel in the Confederate army" ANY
thing else ?" Yes, Observation-Disclosures
preacher" The devil Is that all 20
No." he answered, 81 used to be a
teacher: The fact is, l was raised very
nicely, but the devil got the advantage some
way. Some people call me a scalawag, but
not to my face, mind you !; but am not a
scalawag. l am native of Virginia and |
own plantation in that State now. l was
educated in the South, at the University of
Alabama. l received my degree there.n
'What degree ?'' "Why, doctor of divinity"
''Then you are D. D., are your" "Weil,
was don't know whether deserved it or
not" After you graduated, where did you
go?' "Oh, l was professor in the Missis-
sippi University, in the University of Peters
burg, Virginia, and others. When the war
broke out was president of the University
OF Texas" Did you ever preach ?" "Oh,
yes, l was a very good preacher, once"
Why didn't you remain in that profession
and continue to be truly good man, like
Deacon Smith, of Ohio ?" f.Well," he an
swered, rather sorrowfully, 81 withdrew to
fight duel, and never returned. Yes" he
continued, noticing my surprise, :" left the
Methodist Church to challenge man-Judge
Gray, of Texas" "What for ?" "He called
me scalawag. I was making reconstruc-
ton speeches, and while L went into the Con-
federacy with all the ardor of young lover
L III,
although l never loved cause so well in all
my checkered existence, yet when we were
whipped and beaten, for one was ready to
submit. We made as gallant fight as was
ever made, and when one does the best he
can, and is fairly whipped, it is no disgrace.
SO l went in for reconstruction. That was
the only challenge l ever gave, but don't
allow anybody to insult me. / am very
peaceable man, but it is generally understood
in New Orleans that l allow no man to insult
me-"
ibid you ever accept challenge ?" "Oh,
yes" he answered, very deliberately; "you
| ought to know that Don't you remember
| the duel between Badger and myself? l
| never refuse challenge. 1 will fight any
man who has on a clean shirt, without in
! quiring whether he is a gentleman. He must
hove gentlemen for seconds, however" "Do
you believe in dueling? ' "Yes, on purely
economic grounds. In New Orleans it saves
time and trouble. The chances of being
| killed are very few, and if people know you
| are ready to fight they are careful not to mis-
| use you. A man in my position in New Or
leans who would refuse to fight duel would
be driven out of town in month. So 1 ac-
| cept all the challenges that come" Did
| you ever kill your man ?'' "No, thank God
| never did. l have fought great many
| duels, but L never fought fatal one."
| thought this was strange, for Senator Kel-
| logg, a day or two before had told me that
Carter was the best shot in the country,
| either with rifle or pistol. So 1 asked him
| how it was that he never killed anybody, how
many challenges he had received and if he
was a good shot. YES he answered, 81
am a very good shot can ring the bell at
the word at sixty PAGES, with rifle nearly
every time. l have had, during the past
twelve months, fifteen challenges. Some
were arranged on the ground, and, in some,
shots were exchanged. In nine cases out OF
ten, when man is on the field for the first
time, he will not shoot within ten feet OF his
opponent. If his opponent is an experienced
shot, of course he would have great odds, but
nobody but ruiiian would take advantage of
such thing. person in the field for the
first time invariably shoots too soon. Then
an experienced duelist has him at his mercy.
But YOU will get very bad impression of me,
| | fear" he continued. Ppm not bad man,
and Pm not duelist, and it is a bad bust
ness, and all that but 1 accept a challenge
in order to maintain my peace of mind"
In view of the numberless applications