The New York herald., 1873-10-22
THE VIRGINIA CANVASS.
Hubbub Among the Chivalry-Colonel
Hughes Not To he Withdrawn-Littlc
Likelihood OF His Election.

Hubbub Among the Chivalry-Col0nel
Hughes Not To BE Withdrawn-Littl
Likelihood OF His Election.
RICHMOND, Oct. 21, 1878.
The HEnALDs account OF the Fowler-Clarkson
AFFAIR at Bristol, Tenn, involving the disqualica-
tion Of Colonel Robert w. Hughes, the republican
candidate for Governor, for having acted second
In contemplated duel in violation OF the c0nstitu
tion and laws Of this state, fell like bombshell
among our people and caused no little consterna-
ton. The conservatives were surprised They had
not thought OF 1t before, and, Of course, were
elated at the new prospect which, at the first
glance 1t seemed to open up, while the republi-
cans exhibited q good deal OF trepidation at
first and were disposed to be panicky. Some Of
their leaders declared at once that Hughes would
have to be withdrawn, and suggested Henry A.
Wise as his successor, while others thought 1t too
late to make the change. The most practised
politicians among them, however, looked upon it as
A WEAK INVENTION OF THE ENEMY
and determined 1t should be treated with indIfrer-
ence The more thoughtful Of the conservatives,
too were disposed to view 1t with disfavor To
accuse man ofviolating the duelling code was alb
horrent to the chvalrlc instincts Of Virginia and
hence 1t could expect to ind little favor among the
people; and II that we're the only thing that
Material mansion it was but weak barrier
and easily overcome. The state Journal comes
out fercey and brands the whole thing as base
trick and an Infamous lie got up by conservatives
OF Virginia, who were ashamed to publish 1t first
In their own papers, to afYect the election ad-
versely to Hughes. That paper denied that Hughes
had been the bearer Of a hostile note or challenge
to Fowler, and undertook to explain that he had
no intention Of engaging 10 a duel at the time 1t
Is difcult to say what Will he the upshot Of the
HERALDs disclosures. 1t is the general belief that
Hughes is disqualified by this act; but to proceed
on 1t is the question.
BE WILL NOT BE WITHDRAWN,
that Is certain, and should he be elected the Olce
will perhaps be withheld from him by Governor
Walker on this ground, until the question shall
have been decided by the Courts. Thus matters
would be greatly complicated; but the prospects
OF his election are so slender that very lew fear
any trouble on that score. tq
The HERALD's developments were telegraphed
here in full to the Enquirer and the Dispatch from
Washington last night, and they were the sensa-
ton or to-day. The republicans, Of course, are
greatly enraged and give full vent to
are complacent and take it cooly enough. Colonel
Hughes is absent in Washington, ana there has
been no opportunity to consult with him as to his
own views; but as he has never considered himself
disqualified by his course on that occasion 1t ID
probable he Will take notice OF it, further than
TO defend himself as best he can against this nank
movement, on the stump and through the press.
The Republican State Committee have determined
to retain him, come what may, and the canvass
will 90 on as 1t begun.