The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-03-30

eonvulnve gra exprehes no, the pang of drolution,
but the feverer pang of final feparation from the
friend he leaves, the feverer pang of eomuieration
for the agonies that await him, Whit in dark and hi
deous perspective, the heart-harrowing images of the
dilraaed wife, the frantic mother, the little hands
Of the innocent infant wrung in agony, in dread fhc-
ceion lah upon his foul Senlibility expires at the
ipeaacle the heart 6cken, the conception, magi-
nation petreiies the decrpton of this undiien-
bed tragedy" this temporal he'll of human torment.
Surely the moft uperfical oblerver of human
muh perceive, that if the dreadful consequences which
10 often refult from the practice of dueing inlu
fcient effect its abolition, mul be chmerical
expect that its progrss be arreted by speculative
reaioning.
Meanwhile, that practice how tragical foever its
consequences may occafonaly be, is not altogether
uniupported by conlideratons of general utility. The
arguments that may be urged in its defence, at
leaf pecious and impoing, if not fold and inconro
vertibe.
lis universally admitted that human life i, more
embittered by inlults than by injuries that word
look, tone, ge(ture, circumstances wholly
neeent and indeGnable, capable ofinfaing pains
more exquifite than racks, whips chains 1t is al
70 universally admitted that this fource of focal di
cord and mery, lyes beyond the reach of any prac-
ticable icheme Of regulation or police. cannot
iue, for afiault and battery the fenGbtes of
my heart" obtain damages FOR injury, which al
property, tained my reputation, may have racked
every feeling of my foul with iplupportlble agony.
The practice of duelling, although not perhaps the
beit expedent for this purpofe, which more mpro-
we'd fate of fociety may introduce, certainly has ten
dency to correct and countera6 this fundamental evil.
Every individual is compelled by regard fef pre-
ervation to cultivate and pracae habits of benigny
urbanity and forbearance, in his intercourse with
thers abain from every action or exprellon cal
culated to wound the feelings of hoie with whom he
atiociates to refrain and fuppres the luggeAions of
pride, arrogance and peen, TO model his behavior &
converiation according the principles OF benevo-
ence and juaice. Viewed in this light, the practice
of dueiling probably deerves be regarded, as one
THE moh efeaual fafeguards and functions of the
tranquility, harmony and decorum Of civilized ioci-
ETY.. To its influence probably, ough, be afcribed
the irPeriorpropriety, decaey and refinement of mo-
dern manners. Injudging of the expedency of any
public inifitution, law or cu(tom, we muG not con-
ne attention the evil, it may produce in par
ticular inances, but extend view to its general
tendency and effects. Let the practice of ducng be
tried by this criterion. Let the advocate for its i'm
mediate abolitian reflect that is one of the grea,
penal refrants upon the fehih and unfocia propen-
| 'ities which mankndare 70 prone to indulge: Let
him recole6t, whilft he is depicting with glowing
ienhbility the ragcal eonequences which it occaon-
| ally produces, how many animohtes, quarres and
contentious it tends prevent by retranng and ex.
tiuSllhiDg the paslons from which they iprng. Let
| him recolle&, that the immediate abolition of th.
practice, without corresponding improvement Of
the understandings and melioration of the temper Of
individuals, would awaken and unchain thoie PAT.
ions Laft!, let him recollea that pure and unul-
lied fame is the palladium of female happnei and vr-
tue and that the reputation Of the fairef and mofi
amiabe part of the creation, might be blalted with
imPunity, the brother the lover the hufband or
the father, prevented from nH;aing that vengeance
which the laws OF honour ard will AID the laws OF
Ijutce too command him to inaic, on the remorielefs
villain, who darss to blot the fair leaf of virgin
fame"
Mean while wkSt.ver difference of opinion NAV ex-
I'll with refpect TO the crimnaIity of dueIng, this
practice as fociety prelept contributed admits of
obvious extenuations The queRions respecting the
criIninaty OF duelling and the crimnaIty of dueis
are radically dihinGt. The consequences of this prac-
ce ought to be afcribed to the depravity of the
individual, but to the and inveteracy of the
delulions by which it is fanetioned When charged
with its enormity, the dueiil may julIy exclaim in
| the language of Macbeth.
Why doh thou ihake thy CORY locks at me
Thou can't not fay II did it.
Did introduce this barbarous and abominable cuff
tom? AMI refponEble for the mifery it produces /?
Am expected fem the torrent o. univeris preiu-
dice Society would diplay an unprecedented firain
of tyranny by fanctioning, in the frt nance an alb
urd and atrocous practice, and compelling individuals
to refort to it, under pain Of ntolerable humiliation
and indelible difgracs and punhing in the feouel
with unreenting feverty, the furvvng victims of her
own injuitice.