The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-10-10

To the Public;
Referring 10 the local columns of the
press Of this city of Saturday last. in which
ii appears simply that on FRIDAY night
had an encounter with J. Amber smith,
and 'was struck in the face" il becomes
necessary for me, not only In view Of what
occurred but II what may be inferred. 70
make this statement.
Those who have known me best certainly
know me D no seeker Of brawls. In the
past twelve months, dcharrcd as | am ly
the pressure and character Of nv duties.
have attended no political meeting
II any description with the eXccp-
ton Of the one on Friday night.
| was there purely GccidcDtgI. ~
my friends know. and reached there
unfortunately Just at the moment when
Amber Smith. while introducin- yoUng
cOlored mau 10 the audience, made an alu.
sion to George u. Wise so gro>, and nGe-
cent - u be unit for repetition T. refined
public. Surprised n such an attack. even
- coming from Smith. filed with ind ma
ton at il. but mindful. nevertheless. oi the
fact that was under large bonds - keep
the peace. and could make no attack up0n
him, rapidly approached him, when saw
hin descending from the rear Of the sand
With single companion. and A. soon S.
got 10 him said - heard. sir. the grossly
indecent aud outrageous langlilge You
have jus used IN ro-ard 10 Geor,e y.
Wi-c. and demand that we hall .rm L.
atelv retire % a private place Whsrr we can
have some reference to that lan-us-c.'
lie seemed - he dlZcd and made no reply.
whercupon Iagain ur-ed. sharply lnefp-
'OrHL that we should retire 10 private
place for the purpose Indicated. At tAi,
moment the crowd in from of the sand,
which was then composed almost entirely
of colorcd men. tad their attention uir .'ed
10 smith and mv>ef. made q rush ~ u- and
Immediately completely surrounded and
hemmcd me- in. >urcing between him amt
myself 80 that there were some Glp, OF co.
l0rcd people between Ms. II vas then That
this man Who had had rercmptorN demand
made upon him ioI private audicncD about
li>Lracful language, bad siaf.d >'I-
pdlf In reply. and struck 10 bow.
finding himself protected. qs h. H9nI't
hy his chosen guards. and ih.m
between bin and nv,'f. delivered
at me a fcon and "a coward blow from lc-
hind their shoulders. The blow was a
very slisht one, coming from q distance,
and it did not even sting physically. u
.tung in no sense until found that. re-
! lie,,d ~ | might have been from The ohii-
cation, of ny bond. IT, after striking me.
/ he had maufully confronted me. he bad :u-
copffincntlv and rapidly retired from me.
and was deprived ~ the opportunity Of
ipniciing upon him mcritcd cha>tisemeni. ]
then appealed for fair play to The crowd ~
colarcd people who still surrounded and
hommcd In: told them had been struck
from behind their shoulders 81 ~
manul opponent. and TINT WIl' ]
wanted ~ their hands then and t.tfe
Ws~ an audience with smith ur 30
and them alone a> guards 10 prove T"
them that smith W1- coward. hIr tNd
,coundrel. The coiorcd people around me
/ responded "a once that ! should have ill
/ ulrV. and ail honor and thank = ilDm
/ Tor the ilci that non" ~ them mole.iei m
7 in any way except 10 keep me- surrounded
aud hcmmed in. II was The colorcd poo
plc Of Richmond on this occasion who.
when appealed TO- responded IN the inter
..'- oi fair ulaV. J. wa- q white ma1, s" ho
a.uire. 20 represent them. and T. unworthy
10 touch even The ben. ol their garment.
who knew .o little of fair play that h Te-
tired from the difficulty himself h,i
created and fsom responsibility iof 'a'
coward blow he bad struck.
After Wa.'iug awhile retired ton. 0H.
house. and - lrit th.rc -ub>'qu u01. l.
.,,a. ia obedience 90 tht ur-'ncy ~ iiirI1-.
F in no connection - Joy oNn. and 'ci'-4-.it
NOT. A- hrer some report nave j.. O. -.r.
smith. Ny bond dclarrod me turn nol
rd.. Thoy dsm NE .tlil ! hltc r1i
-aught him. and -lill nai seek him. ~ org
rurpo.e % attack. / am on mt d.iel'r.
bart vi f beiug to publish TIA, cird. 1'i-