Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-07-20
The AIeXanGer-HuutO Difficulty.
From the Washington Post.

evening.
Eyes sir, have seen it," he replied, land
Ill bounce him: he II 6nd out that have not
done with him yet.
will you fight bim2"
IT haven't refused to fight him; and when ne
says, I refuse to come from tho protection OF
the police, he lies agsiu. Lie torgsts that
am the challenged party. and hsye the right
to select the weapons and the place tor such an
encounter. l never fought duel. and don t
know muck about the code; but know enough
for that.
Have you'selected friend, and do you really
intend to fgh?''
THAT is matter for future determination
At present do not make any admissions con.
corning my Intentions for the public ear. l
do not say what I'll do
do you intend 10 stand By ell you have
said aud printed 10 this mattel2"
Most assuredly, sir; By every word. l
know that l am right, and | cannot be driven
from my position.
You have 20 doubt of Gen. Huntona
mesning2"
mot IN The least. He means a challenge.
lie claims it himself ln fact, it is SO distinct
that understand the District attorney 10 bis
District is considering the propiiety Of taking
official motto, Of his letter. The laws OF Vlr.
GINA on the subject Of dusliog are very well
defined"
Gen. Huntou, 10 his card. procams you q
malicious liar, vulgar blaokguard, and an ir;,
responsible coward; do You intend to stand
tha,?"
las | sal before. am not telling to night
Just what my course will be. One thing is
certain, however, | hull those charges back in
bis teeth, and in reply to bis card which |
shall make, | shall so express myself. What
he says about me as coward means nothing.
1t is all sound and fury. | know my rights
and how to maintain them. No man ever
bull dozed me yet, and that man is not born
who can-much less the slave of ring"
THE slave OF ring?'
Eyes, sir; instead Of devoting himself 10 the
interests of his peope-especially in trying to
get free bridge for them across the Potomac
he has been working for the G5 bonds. and
whatever else pertains to the interests of the
old Washington ring; and in one respect, at
least, he has been rewarded"
'How?"
'By the gift of a clerkship from the com
missioners TO his friend and relative L. H.
Sheppard, the first cousin of the wife of tho
water registrar, who is also relative Of Gen.
Hunton's.'
CAPT. SHEpPARD's STATEMENT Post
woke up Capt. F. +. Sheppard last night, at
lis boarding house. No. SOC K. street, and
oluntly put to him leading question: Gap
ain, did Gen. Hunton mean fight in his affair
With Mr.. Alexander?'
His published letters speak for themselves,
md leave you to Judge. The fact was. as
las already been published, Mr.. Alexander
printed a card in the Alexandria Gazette,
wherein he said that Con. Hunton, in some
tatements made by the latter, bad deliberately
md knowingly published falsehood. General
1unton made so explanation and denial Of the
statements, upon which Mr.. Alexaoder's card
vas written and requested retraction Of the
offensive phrase used by MIR. A. in reference to
lin. This MIR. Alexander, if he had been the
most fiery gentleman that ever subscribed 10
be Clonme commandments could have done
With honor and decepcy, but refused. There
lpon Gen. Hunton published card wherein
,e denounced Mr.. Alexander as blackguard
nd coward. That card, understand, will
10 sent, or has been sent, to the Post Tor re-
publication. will only add that tho pub!ica'
ion of ibis whole affair was not commenced BY
rem. Hutton. aud would not have been made
,ublio if it had depended on him..
Then there will be no fight"
Fight! Columbus Alexander only fights
trough the newspapers. His weapons are
busive slang, aud hia trophies the skill 10
'hich be uses such style Of language. No, sill;
here will be 20 fight, for there is no fight in
Alexander"
You were Gap. Huutoo's friend 10 this mat.
II, ,~cro you not, Captain !
"Yee, si,; I ara one of Gena.ld at
ad warmest triends.-y p. m. .uuotohs best
.,kson and ~
10" From the Baltimore Gazstte,
GEN. HUNToN's M1sTAKE-lti tbs greatly to
% regretted that Gen. Eppa Hunton should
ave sent letter to Mr.. Columbus Alexander,
be natural interpretation Of which Is chal
snge to single combat. Uotll that letter was
ent the affair had not passed beyond the reach
f mutual explanations and amlcable adjust,
nent. The charges against Gen. Hunton had
he SAVIOR of mere political antagonsm, and
Rhen he replied to his accusers with the state
nent that be had voted for certain OBI cotton
BILE measure after it had received the indorse'
nent of Mr. Columbus Alexander, he appears
O have made an error which however irritat'
or to the latter gentleman admitted CT eX'
,lanatioa Yet when MIR. Alexander 10
epIy to this made his charges against
eneral Hunton specific, charging him with
icing connected with the Washington District
Ring it was a grave bluuder for General
Iuntou to answer by challenge to fight. 1t
would have been much tier to challenge bis
couser to produce bis proofs, AMI to stand
eady to meet those proofs The publi' would
ave been very slow to make up az adverse
Judgment upon General Hunton' 3 political TO-
egrity. He has occupied prominent position
o Congress, aud has borne himself above re-
,roach. lie was always put forward as rep
esentative Southern leader, as G man whose
Judgment and character were worthy OF conil'
enoc. Yet it is no reply TO specific aoousa.
ion to plead general good character: Good
nen very often yield to temptation. There Is
10 position in the pulpit or politics, 10 protes'
ional life or commerce, SO exalted as to place
Is occupant beyond the danger of fall, or
bove the necessity Of replying directly to d.
cot charges. A man 10 public office is &C.
ountable to the people, and should stand ready
t all times to answer any accusations that ems.
ate from responsible source. A great deal
8 to be pardoned pehaps to an indignant
emper and sense Of injury; but still it would