The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-04-01

In this paper l intend TO avoid In pnr.
ticunr u recital Of the horrors Of tue
memorable combat which occurred In the
cnrly morning OF February IS, 1876 be-
tween John 1Iunpden Peasants and
Thomas Ritchle. Jr. Tliis shall 10
pretty much after tho manner OF tho
French classical lists, who never
exhibit sanguinary CONFLICTS on the stage,
but leave them ns suggestions to tho
i,nnpinnton of II sensitive audience.
rho prime GAUGE which Induced Plcns-
ants 10 chill I1tcho Oh. was the final
letter of the latter, which denounced
the former rs II coward. twas sald ~
thc time that William i. Rltchle was
absent but had ho been IN charge Of tho
1Inquircr no such provocntion would have
becn used A few years before he had
stepped In between his father and tho
Wht, editor, and but for the friendly
interposItion of James Lyons and Genera
pcxran all assault would undoubtedly
have been made by him on Peasants
Tho affair, SO honorably adjusted 70 INC
satisfaction OF the parties concerned. "uA
insultingy alluded to By the junior cfil-
tor OF the Enquirer, as I'lcasnnts thought
and said He was absent from the city
when the offensive article appeared III
that paper, and thus notices 1t IN ~ let
ter addressed to his friend and assoclale,
Charles Maurice Smith.
"Jhcre is one circumstance which en-
harnesses me in the reply which pro-
pose to make to that article. IT IS That
as I have reason 10 know the elder OF me
I two brothers. who now conduct the Rich.
n,ond ENQUIRER, was In the city OF WASH
ington when It WAS prepared ana pup.
lished. He knew nothing Of It, and
would fain hope, as verify believe. that
his better taste and more liberallzcd
understanding would have altogether DIS
approved It's vulgarty and Injustice. HIS
sense{ OF honor would have restrained
him from offering wanton and gra'nltous
insult, and his dellcacy and chivairy IRON
a1vertng to past transaction. anicably
K composed by mutual friends, holding his
honor and rhine. for the time, In their
custody and whose own honor was
pledged that neither his or mine had
suffered or could suffer by the compost
ton. am sensible Of the extreme deli-
cacy OF the ground upon which tread;
but that gentleman, trust. VIII under
stand that my motive is to avoid injus-
tIce, not to escape responsbillty.
For Political Service.
This tribute to the virtueE OF William
+, RltchIc is characteristic Of It's writer.
william was the senior brother OF rom
by several years. His larger experience
f3of public affairs and finer discrimination
OF human chara cter fitted him admirably
for nolItical service in the conduct OF a
newspaper He was q political writer Of
much force one of whose articles was
<said by Andrew Stevenson to be the best
presentation Of the principles OF his
party that had ever appeared publicly.
In 1854 he welded the accomplished dauEh-
Ter 5of samuel G. Ogden, Of New York.
Mrs. Anna cora Mowatt, Her literary
nroductions are OF the first rank In our
American literature.
q American literature. The Cottage In
which Mr.. and Mrs. Richie dwels
was in the French Garden. on ths
west line Of Ninth Street. woo
the matter between Peasants and Ritchie
Ind gone beyond those preiminarles OF
discussion that arc usual In such cases
the gauntlet having been thrown down
by tho latter-publlc expectation was no.
disappolnted by the appearance OF the
enrared Wing editor on the streets. lie
en- fried cane under his arm, and was
accompanied usually by his nephew ~
bert Peasants, or Charles maurice
Smith He passed the enquirer once
several times looking evidently for his
adversary. Tho Governor, William
smith met him on one OF these occa-
sion 10 whom he introduced Charles
Maurice Smith. Tom August, who eyed
the scene from the Office window of John
A. Meredith, turned to the company
therein and remarked. Smith. Smith
smith, Smith, Whcreupon. as he de-
clarcd they all laughed at his witticIsm
The twenty OF February occur
ing on a Sunday its celebration was post
poned till tho ensuing Monday, at which
time all the city companies were on pa
rade In the Capitol Square, the horse
outside. but nearby, on Grace Street.
shall now let Wickham describe the
scene--a sworn statement-that had beer
shifted from the streets to the parade
ground.
'Soon after I had arrived At the righ
OF the artillery company, ! Sd" Mr.
Peasants approaching. He came aonl
the rear OF tho troops through the trees
where there were few spectators-the
crowd being, as might be supposed would
be tho case, in front His manner wa:
very strking-all who knew Mr.. Pleas
ants will easily recollect that his usua
gait was remarkably slow. with his heat
depressed. like a man In thought. Or
this occasion his head was erect, and MI
gait quick and manner animated. nnt
his face pale-the paleness of n mar
under great excitement, and In q rage
! had read the pieces which had ap
peared from time to time In the news
papers, the purport of which it Is not
I suppose proper for me to mention. !
is sufficient to say that having these II
mind. had no doubt OF his object II
&..pproaching that place, TO was ac'
companied by young gentleman whom
! did not know. was tncn standing
as near to Mr.. Ritchie, who was In po
sition In his company, ms I am to tn
gentleman who stands yonder (pointint
to person standing between twenty o
thirty feet from tho Wltness). AS MI
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