The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-08-22


only to rcfIse their connteaaace and the;,.
YCIE at he etecfions TO every man ,vho
shat hcregffer be engaged, either as n,.inei-
fial or accessory. IN cny duet or in Qnvat-
teMht TO promote one AS the utmost art is
used by Offenders in Shis way to frn.trate ths.
law, by rendering the requisite proof impos-
sible, nothing more is necessary 10 cut them
oil nom the benefit of theriM gotten impuni-
~, than to make current rcfort, or ones
frsvdte Persuasion, by what means scever
abtaiued, the ground of withholding ones
vote. -
That the influence Of such determinat;-
on. ii generally adopted and acted unon
would be very great, cannot admit of doubt.
The My plausible objections are the two
| following:
l. That judgment founded upon pre-
sumptivc proof such as Common runner or
an article in the public prints. might con-
denim an Innocent man and
=. ihat the measure recommended may
Interfere with the freedom of elections.
| Upon the first objection it is sufficient to
remark, that should the case even occur.
that candidate for Office should fail in his
| eieciion from anunjust suspicion of his ha.
! ing been concerned in duel. it would still
De much better that an individual should be
sept out CT All Office to which he has no right
Out the peoples gift, than that an at,ocious
crime should go longer without coercion. The
INJURY, IT any, would how not iron. the rote
bat from the suspicion which existed hrior
to It, and therefore could be no way occas;-
oned by it.
But such a case is SO extremely improba-
BILE. as not to be of any weight in the con.
temptation of a grand social reform Among
all those to whom general and permanent
suspicion has attached on this subject it
would be difficult if not impossible to poinc
out an instance of mistake. And should ii
mistake happen hereafter. the person accu-
sed, knowing that the charge, ifbelieved, is
TO shut him out from the peoples honors,
VIII not be slow in repelling it, and rescung
ms character from unmerited otiutn
with regard to the second objeCtion-In-
stead OF interfering with the ri.lt OF election,
the expedent proposed is founded upon the
Droadest and Treest exercise OF that right
Its the preroga'i, { of every elector 10 give
or to deny his vote to any candidate. for any
reason which, to himself is satisfactory or
Tor no other reason than his own choice. He
| enjoys . controul over his own vote which no
man nor body OF men may question. Aud
as he may give or refuse il to wIfoinsoever
he peases at the time of election, so he is
at perfect liberty to declare, before hand.
what causes shall govern him in it's applica-
| ton.
While the measure proposed does in no
manner invade the freedom of election, it is
recommended by the most forcble motives
CT public utility and virtue.
| line Class of avowed duelists is too small
to inpoverish the councils or Offices of the
state by their absence. Nothing will be lost
/ BY leaving them out.
lhe intended remedy against their inroads
upon society, addresses itself to the very
principle on which they profess to build
! rfh
the avenues topublic confidence: Let it be
heard, and seen. and felt, that Duelling and
!Duellses are lnfamOus--and their plea is
gone. 1t, after this, any of our citizens should
persist IN the practice-they will Convict
themselves. in the face of Heaven and earth,
OF lighting from the impulse of ferocious
rna!ignity and thirst of blood.
| The political power of the people will be
arranged Oh the side of individual virtue, of
domestic happiness and of public morals.
! Many an unhappy man, who would other
wise be hurried away by notions of false no.
nor and the dread of open scorn, will be pre-
served to himself, his family and his coun-
/ try.
! The storm of public opinion. thus efficac-
ousiy turned against a crime of frequent oc-
currence and the blacklist dye, will oblite-
rate the reproach of our name and prevent
the accumulation OF both guilt and suffering.
hS no retrospect Is ueSlgnSd--What Is
! past being considered pasr--aD oppor-
tunity will be given to such as may have been
unwillingy drawn into dueIs, to declare
themselves i'll the cause of their convictions
and of truth.
! Such, fellow citizens, areI the sentiments
/ which have given rise to the init DueiHne
dissertation IF .Negu York You are earnest
! ly entreated to join in general and solemn
resolution never to confide the interest
OF your families and your Country to the hands
OF men, who, by the future commission of the
crime OF duelling, shall prove that they ne-
ther tear God nor regard man. Such re-
solution will refute the SANDER that your
opinions are really favorable to their folly
and their violence. 1t will put away from
I you, as individuals, if faithfully kept, the
guilt of blood. 1t will be as beneficial to
the community as it will be consoatory to
yourselves. 1t will speak to offenders il a
tone which they will not dare to despise.
And if this magnanmous conduct will not
furnish an example, no example is ever to
be furnished in the course of human things.
that the voice of the people is the voice OF
Cod
| BY order Of The Meeting,
JOHN BROCME, Chairman
LEBBEUS LOOMS, Sect'y.
! New York, August s, 1909