Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-04-14
FOR TIE US.
TO THE PUBLIC.

~ IHE PUBLIC.
SO much has been lately said upon the
practice 81 duelling, tnat it may appeay
iiule Tess imam lost labor to renew the sub
Ject since 1t would be difficult to say any
tninS upon II, which has not been frequent
ly said already. AS however, 1t is connect
ed with The most important concerns of
life, and appears to be- daily extending it's
baneful influence (; it is tine duty Of every
man, DESTROYS for the prosperity and han
pinesS CT his fellow creatures, to lift his
voice against IL; and although the areu-
rrchts which ne uses, be merely a repeti-
ton CT these used by others, the, NAV not
be without thair effect.
Duelling has prevailed more or less in
every c'vlised country, of which we have
any ccount. In Spair, it as once I. e prac-
tee, nd perhaps yet continues to LIE. the
practice III some countries, when man iS
insulted, 10 watch for his adversary. in an
aHey, or some ether private place, and dis
Pa'ch hlm without the possibility of resist
ance. And it might be worth the enquiry
o. dleilIst whether this method be less
honotao e, than that practlsed with us (:
which beheve gives the aggressor or the
Ch'iiehged the right to Choose the weapons,
* to control most Of the ARRANGEMENTS res
al.
he has unquestionahly right to redress
the author of the injury should receive pun
lSnment In some way. But duel is GER
family not calculated to infiict this pun
lSnment, because, independent of the adj
VahtaSes the aggressor has, it is at any rate
an equaI Chance, whether he or the partv
injured fall.
Murder l believe is looked upon by all
men with the same eyes il is w! thout doubt
the greatest crime that can be committed
ana yet when perpetrated in the shape. of
aiei' 1t is considered honorable saw
honorable, because it does not appear that
these who have committed it, are The less
! esteemed on that account If fashion Can
mus reconcile us to the most enormous
crUhe, in one instance, may We not fear its
influence in others.
A sense OF d shame, It is said, is so much
torture and this torture W j admit no re-
/ lier out by the death of the adversary =
What then a want of money is ais CO
much torture and perhaps man might
persuade himself that this torture admitted
no relief but by removing a life that stood
between nm ana an inheritance. The mo-
| yves IN both these cases are the same ; Il c
en- Gus too Hre the same, z the actions them
serves must therefore part Ike OF the same
degTee OF guilt, YET row differently are thew
viewed bv the community.
very lew have any hesitation in con-
Hemn'ng this infamous practice; and il Of
ten happens, that the most discreet and e.
Meeting, express one dav, their pointed
disapprnbation, and the next engage IN II.
30 much tor the power Of fashion and the
| inconsistency Of man.
! ne legislature OF this state, and 7 he.
lievc of several other states i'm ihe union.
nave made this offence punishable with
uea'h' ms however, asmght have been
expected, has had no effect for the fashi-
ohs OF the times, which influence alike the
legislator, the Juror, and the iudce. would
not permit Jaw Of this kind to be carried
into effect: and it has been so often vio,at-
Eed with IMMUNITY, that it would now be cru
J ety to enforce it. Hence the necessity Of
a repeal, and whenever this repeal takes
place, hope the wisdom of the legislature
VIII lead them 20 substitute some punisb-
neht which by being Jess terrible. will be
more certainly carried into effect. What
J this punishment shall be, it is not easy RI
suggest. There have been several inefon-
ces lately, of the most distinguished cha
racters in England, rcsorting to courts os
justice Tor redress Of injuries; and the da-
J images have been exemplary. II IS howe
J yer doubtful whether this wCy'I be The case
mere When man has received ~ IN
! sun, II wo"iabe but an tggrav" ton of that
Insult, to receive a verdict for the paltrv
sum Of t'e pounds in DAMAGES PERHAPS
the most effectual check would be totally
to dlstranchise all parties concerned
Wh'ch IS the punishment for this crime ia
the state OF New-York.
a CTTIZEN..
Capt. Gorham, o. the schooner Federal
| x publican, arrived al Boston, On tbe gs-a