Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-02-02

the puDtle w. s"t 49, f~S-S -, . y
in,eiieres and cond. mns rae, under the PEI
nary 2of perpetual disg ace. TO cast lots
with. The ggre.scr, which st rs must die.
Wa. there, ever ans.- thing n,ors prs pos.s.
rous ! more al,omipah'y absurd! =
It's the opinion Of many, sic, that duel
linz is an evil Which viii correct itaet |;
while Others say, II is Of li,e concern 10
the rational and virtuous part ofniank'nf,
in what manner knaves and fools may think
proper to rid the world of each other. us it
will not deprive society of one valuable
member but daily experience eonviae.s
US, that both those opinions are incorrect /;
for while the evi is growing 10 an alarming
h.igh:, We 6nd that sumo of our brst .riu-
zens have exposed their invaluable lives,
while others have fallen victims to this ab".
minabls practice: and will, The coiiscr d
wisdom of this commonwealth make no
effort to suppress this sauguiRary and g'ew-
ing'evii VIII the enlightened legislature
of Virginia make no stand against the cur
rent of public opinion! I hope-I trust
t%hey will. Sir, SO long as it is believed
that the practice Of durEling is sanctioned
by public opinion, there is ND man, who -
anxious to maintain his social standing, can
refuse, what is termed, an honorable call.
No matter how much his moral and religl.
Gus pFtaciples may be opposed to the prac.
.ice: no matter though he may have vile
and children depending on his exertions FIR
their daily bread no matter how great
claims his country may have on bis talents,
in critical and Try ing times, he loses sight
OF all in the dreadful idea Of being stigma
,ized as coward--Pjasqus Atao Rr.i'inm
q. timet--he seizss the fatal weapon---he
marches to the combat, receives the mortal
wound, and leaves a discossolate widow
and number Of helpless orphans to mourn
their. !rreparahle loss. This, sir, is not
fancy, these aye seenes that frequently, vs.
ry frequently pass in review before U.s.
Pass this bill, sir, and you put q step 20 the
evil-pass this bill and you place \ shield
between the man Of feeling and pubic Cpl.
rnion-you raise barrier in the road TO-
honor and preferment, At which the amLi.
tious man will pau@e and reflect ere he rash.
ly engages in duel-pass this bill AMI
will venture to predict, that you will pre-.
serve the lives OF many, very many valua-
bl. citizens-Had similar bill passed at
your last session, Mr.. Speaker, it would
have been attended with the best of conse.
Qusnees-We should not now be lamensinR
the loss Of Pope, Hoos and Smith.
On us in part rests the blame Of 5robbing
society of those able and useful membrrs-
on US, sir, in part rests the blame of pre-.
pairing affection for the widows heart, of
filing the orphans eyes with tear. and
bringing trouble and misfortune on numer.
Gus friends and relatives. As fathers, then;
as brothers, as n'en and a. legislators, I
call on this house to suppress an evil which
strikes at you all in these tender relations.
I call on you to raise your hands against
crime, the disgrace of the land and the
scourse OF our peace call on you to Sc.
an example worthy Of yourselves and Of
those you represent; and should this bill |
not have the desired effect, you will enjoy
the consolation Of having performed your
duty. Before set down, I give notice, I
shall call for the ayexand noes. am anxi-
Gus to have my name recorded on this qust.
ton I wish to enter my proses. again,,
the practice Of duellisg. There arc some
gentlemen, Mr.. Speaker, far be it from me
10 insiAuate that there arc any in this A..
senbly. who, though opposed to the prin-
eiple Of dselling, do not wish to proclaim
their sentiments to- the world, lest they
should be suspected Of wan, al for,i,sde
I, sir, have no such fears for never did
suppose, the fighting of a duel, mark Of
fortitude-No, sir, true forsitude is a car
dinal virtue, depending on and iaseparabls
from the other virtues--is 10 that firm, man
ly intrepldiy Of. soul, which enables Us 70
meet danger in critical and trying situations
ii. Is the virtuous mans shieid by which.
he defends himself from the evils Of the
world--it il the anchor which keeps him
steady amidst the storms and hurricanes of
life. The insrsPidi,y or courage Of duel
iss although it seems to initiate, cannot be
said to be virtue because il 10 not the