Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-10-10
The Wise-Smith Unpleasantuess,

Although there have been rumors of a
duel between Capt. George D. Wise and J.
Amber Smith, it is positively known that
no hostile meeting has taken place. Capt
Wise spoke at Chesterfield c. H. yesterday,
and Mr. Smith has been in Richmond ever
since Friday night, when he had the diff
Guilty with Gen. Peyton Wise The latter is
also in the city. Geo. d. Wise was before
the police court to-day to answer for threat
ening violence to Smith last Saturday Gen
Peyton Wise has written letter to the pub
lie in which he says:
Referring to the local columns of the
press of this city of Saturday last, in which
it appears simply that on Friday night
had an encounter with J. Amber Smith,
and was struck in the face it becomes ne
cessary for me, not only in view of what oc-
cured but of what may be inferred, to make
| this statement. Those who have known
me best certainly know me as no seeker of
brawls. In the past twelve months, debar-
red as | am by the pressure and character
ofmy duties, | have attended no political
meeting of any description with the eXcep-
ton Of the one on Friday night. | was
there purely accidentally, rs my friends
know, and reached there unfortunately lust
at the moment when Amber Smith, while
introducing young colorad man to the au-
diencc, made an allusion to Geo. d. Wise so
gross and indecent as TO be unfit for repeti-
ton to Il refined public. Surprised at such
IN attack, even as coming from Smith, I'LL
| cd with indignation ut it, hut mindful, new
erhcless, of the fact that | was under large
bonds to keep the peace, and could make
no attack upon him, rapidly approached
him, when | saw him descending from the
rear of the stand with single companion,
and as soon as / got to him said: L heard,
sir, the grossly indecent and outrageous
language you have just used in regard to
George ID. Wise, and demand that we shall
Immediately retire to private place where
we can have some reference to that Ian
guage.' He seemed to be dazed and made
no reply, whereupon again urged sharply,
perentptoi1ly, that we should retire to pr-
waite place for the purpose indicated. At
this moment the crowd in front of the stand,
which was then composed almost entirely
of colored men, had their attention directed
to Smith and myself, made rush at us and
Immediately completely surrounded and
hemmed me in, surging between him and
myself so that there were some files of col
orcd people between us. 1t was then that
this man, who had had peremptory demand
made upon him for private audience about
disgracetul language, had stared stupidity in
reply, and struck no blow, finding himself
protected, as he thought, by his chosen
guards, and them between him and myself,
delivered at me felon and coward blow
from behind their shoulders. The blow was
a very slight one, coming from a distance,
and it did not even sting physically 1t
| CT in I b,t
lieved rs might have been from the obi
cations ofmy bond if, after striking me. he
had mantully confronted me, he had incon-
tlnently and rapidly retired from me, and
was deprived OF the opportunity of inllict-
ing upon him merited chastisement. then
appealed for fair play to the crowd OF col
ored people who stiA surrounded and hem
med me III told them had been struck from
behind their shoulders by no manful oppo-
nent, and that. what | wanted at their
hands then and there was an audience with
Smith present and them alone as guards to
prove to them that Smith was d coward.
liar and scoundrel The colored people
around me responded at once that l should
have fair play and all honor and thanks to
them for the fact that none of them modest
cd me IN any way except to keep me sur
rounded and hcmmed in. 1t was the COL
who, when appealed to responded in the
interest Of fair play. II was Il white man,
who asprcs to represent them, and is un-
worthy to touch even the hens of their
garments, who Knew so little of fair play
that he retired from the difficulty him.
self had created and from responsibility
Tor the coward blow he had struck.
: After waiting awhile retired to my own
house, and if left there subsequently it
was in obedience to the urgently of friends,
in no connection of my own, and certainly
not, rs | hear some reports have it, to seek
Smith. My bonds debarred me then from
this. They debar me still | have not
sought him, and shall not seek him, for any
purpose of attack l am on my defence
part oft being to publish this card, and for
the rest of it, content to trust to those
means which every man finds at his hands
to defend his person manfully against at
tack | have submitted this card to the Pc
rllsal of the few know and could reach who
were present on the evening in question,
and their memories accord with my own
about the facts herein contained"