New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-06-11
UHAT nm IT SETTLEP

Under the heading political Pirates" TIE
| Richmond Wing published the other day long
artlclo concerning the past history AMI present
status Of that wing of the Democratic party
of Virginia which favors paying the debSoi
the State and claims TO be the regular organiza-
ton. It's tone was what might without ex-
! aggcration be called severe. 1t described the
persons referred to az "poltical buccaneers,
and said their career had bren marked by
"cvery pcrlidy." 1t charged them with having
abandoned the National Democracy in 1860
and plunged Virginia into secession, revolu-
tion and war to promote their own selfish pur-
"poscsn that having done this " they engrOSsed
Tor themselves all the positions of honor and
"proit'and tlllst (lnd Of safety as wcll), while
" the misses OF the deceived people were sent
" to slaughter and prvaion =" that they never
forgot the spoils, but employed their time in
chickering's and differences over the plumber,
! which they reserved for themselves, while tho
Gpeoplc starved, and the army was unpaid and
unSuppcl y; and that at the end of the
struggle, the Government of Virginia and the
whole bumb-prool corps grabbed the remain
ing swag. and sncaked away in humiliating
Disguise aud Bhamcful trCpidatiOn.
Now, this alIagnment, which is perhaps un-
necessarily warm in its rhetoric, may either be
true or false Il purports Mt any rate TO be
based uron historical fnct>, and ono would
suppose that If issue were joined upon it, the
argument would be- conducted upon references
to the history of the period in question and such
testimony n might be attainable. But that is
not the way they settle disputes in Virginia. EX-
Governor Smith, having been in office mt thecOse
of the war; was supposed to be referred to in
the clause OF this indictment which speaks of
"thc Government Of Virginia as grabbing
"thc remaining swag," and sneaking away /" i'll
illuminating disguises and shameful trcpida-
"uon.n Colonel Thomas Smith, his son, ac-
cording,v took it upon himself to respond to
the charge and undertake the vindicatlOu of
his fathers name and fame. lie called upon
Mr.. Elan, the Editor of The Wing, for the
name of the author OF the article. That gen
tlcman refused to give it, and himself assumed
the responsibility for it. Colonel Smith there
upon invited him to discus, the question with
pistols at ten PAGES. The invitation was nc
ccp!cd the twO went out to lakewood Gene
tcIY-iit place to discuss in such fashion dead
issurs-thr two stood ton PAGES apart and fired
pistols at each other.
Colonel Smiths ball struck MIR. Elam in the
centre Of the chin and shattered his jaw.
Then, II il sad, Colonel Smith came forward
and shook hands with his opponent, expressing
the deepest regret that the necessity for this
unfortunate meeting had been forced upon
Inn, and Mr. Liam very handsomely answered
tIat he felt infinitely relieved that he himself
and not Colouel Smith had been wounded.
After Tins Colonel Smith and ms second ran
away to avoid arrest. and Mr. Elam and his
second were arrested. The people of Richmond
are loud in their praises of the "splendid
management and secrecy with which tho affair
"was conducted aud The debate brought to
conclusion, and the busy tongue of Richmond
rumor clcyatcs both dsputants into heroes.
At this distance from the floor of the debate we
would not assume to Iticise any of the do.alls
of the "spcndd management" nor shall we
deny that these two law breakers did their
law-brcakiHg in very heroic and impressive
way. But it occurs to us 10 ashland we hope
the question will not be considered impairment
hoy WIS the main question settled
As we understand the case, Mr. Elam's
paper charged in an indirect way that OK
Governor Smith, who was the Government of
" Virginia" ut the close of the war;" grabbed the
remaining swag" and "sneakcd away" Col
Oncl Smith denied it. They went out to settle
it Win pistols Mt ten PAGES. Colonel Smith
Eam's jaw, and then shook hands
with him. rcmarlling that he WAS sorry he had
been obliged to do it, Elan answered with
cordiality that he was glad he was the one hit.
Then Smith ran away and Elan, was arrested
and I'LL Richmond says the afflr was splondidly
and both men behaved beautifully.
This i all very well, but what we want to know
is what has become of the main question: Did
" Extra Billy" grab the swag and sneak away
If there is nothing settled about that, wo can
not SEE that anything practical has been effected
by these two persons firing pistols at each
other. They are both horocs to be sure and
Ei,m's jaw has been smashed but how does
ni' frc the name and flmo of extra
:. :! ,iv2' We may be Ob:use, but we are con-
strained TO say that this business cOnfuses u.s. |