Cartoon of the Lyon-Griswold Fight in Congress Political tensions ran high in 1798. On the floor of Congress, Federalist Roger Griswold called Republican Matthew Lyon a coward. Lyon responded with some well-aimed spit, the first departure from the gentleman’s code of honor. Griswold raised his cane to strike Lyon, whereupon Lyon grabbed fire tongs to defend himself. Madison later commented that the two should have dueled, the honorable way to avenge insults.

Library of Congress, 3a05342.