Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-11-18

Cult si'uation.-S 1hough uisapptoy.n5 OF
this barbarous custom, though disposed
neither to give. nor receive an affront, he |
may be compelled to accept challenge
against his better opinion, for otherwise
his condition might be rendered more pain
ful than death itself A custom ought ne
yer to be permitted to continue, which may
| place the best man OF the country in such
dreadful dilemma.
Daelling tends to pycvent the settle
ment OF disputes of honoSt. When a man
is challenged, though such explanation, or
concession might be made as would be sa-
tlstactory, his courage is put to the test
his honour is questioned. Apprchensiye
that he may be deemed afraid to fight, if
he makes any proposition to explain, and
knowing his chance tobe equal with the
challenger to gain the victory, he runs the
RISK OF his life to preserve or require the
reputation of personal bravery and many
duel has been fought even between
friends, where single word of explana-
ton would have reconciled the parties.
Dueiling then so far from rendering men
more civil, and respectful to each other.
renders them mere ferocious and savage.
Though the best of men in all ages have re-
probated dueIling, yet that memorable ty-
rant custom, has rendered vain all efforts
to abolishit In many countries so strong
rs the current OF popular prejudice that
instead OF prosecuting. and Furnishing
crimes of this description, they are practis-
led, with as much security, as the most
lpraisewoi Thy actions can be performcd.-
i Where such delusion prevails there can
be no prospect OF reform. This shows
the Importance of preventing the in
PRODUCTION of the custom where il does not
prevail. To the immortal honour of that
section OF the country where we reside. it
may truly be said that very few duels
have ever occured--that it is not deemed
4 disgrace to refuse to accept, challenge
and that public opinion has nut become
SO Tar corrupted, as to be opposed to the
punishment OF such an offence.
! As it is much easier to prevent the in
! PRODUCTION Of bad custom, than to abolish
it, after it is established the legislature
has very properly attempted to prevent
dueliing by Furnishing the first step, and
has accordingly made it highly penal to
give or accept a challenge. The law pro-
vides that any person convicted of giving,
OF accepting challenge, or carrying mes
sage, containing a challenge, or of being a
second in duel, shall pay fine of three
thousand doliars-fna sureties for good
behaviour during life, and be disabled from
holding any office of trust OF honour un-
der the state-and if unable to nav the for
TEXTURE shall be imprisoned for the term or
one year. 1t is the duty of every publick
officer as we'll as individual TO do eyer-
| thing III their power to carry this Law into
effect. 1t is with regret, remark that
challenges to duels have been given within
this county, and that no publick inquiry.
or prosecution has been had. 1t is true no
duels have been actually fought within
our jurisdiction. The practice has been
TO challenge here, and then 90 out of the
state to fight, In order to eIude the hand of
justice, and avoid the punishment due 10
the crime ofmurder. That no prosecution
or inquiry should be made for such a
CRIME, would be very alarming circum-
stance. Should 1t be understood that the
publick or popular opinion is opposed to
the execution OF the law against challen.
ges, and that no prosecution will take
place for such offence, then there is the
mostlmmlnent danger that this horrible
crime will become as common here as in
some other places. Ii duelists can give
and accept challenges ia this state, with
lnpunity, they may fight in neighbour
ing state, and elude the law against muir
der Ii publick opinion should become so
corrupt, as not TO warrant prosecution
fora challenge, the next step will be 70
dIscountenance any punishment for the
act OF lighting and killing. The cpnse-
quence will then be that duelling will be.
come fashionable; it will no Iopcer he
considered criminal to give challenge
and it will be deemed disgrace to refuse
10 accept one. The duellists will become
an object Of popular esteem for his per
sonai bravery,--and the man who from a
regard to the laws of his country, and the
precepts of christianity, declines 10 fiabt
Will be banded with theopprobrious epithet
OF poltrOOn and coward, and become an
object Of ridicule and contempt. Ineed
not paint to you the awful consequences
OF such state of things. You are fathers
How agonizing would be the sight of a son
welterlng in blood--murdered in duel
How much more agOnizing the SIGHT |
OF SOD, his hands reeling in fhe |
blood OF fellow creature, shed in duel.
hiany parent has realized such traejek
scenes and their possibility should AMI
mate US to the strongest eHertions to pre-
vent their repetition. We ought then
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