The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-06-11


that strength and courage of mind which
they have exhibited on other occasions,
they have abandoned the Known paths of
duty and thus virtually haye been, in
contemplation, either guilty of suicide,
or of the murder of fellow creature,
and thereby outraged the laws of their
country, and the awful sanctions Of Hea-
ven. The dueilists in tho eye of reason
and religion, uhites, in his own person,
the suicide and the murderer And, with
this double guilt (if he falisin the COM
bat), he rushes into the presence of his
offended Con!
And is it possible that reasonable be-
ings can place themselves in situations
SO disgraceful? be guilty Of such inhu-
rnanity to their families ? and heap such
an awful load of iniqui,y upon their con.
sciences, for any consideration whatever!
And what arc the Causes which general
iy give rise to duels Do they not usual
ly spring from very trivial circumstances.
such as principles of false honour, the
sudden dictate OF passion, hasty express
sion, false rumour, temporary feelings
ofvexatioD, emotions ofyanity and pride
Alas too many facts are upon record
that men will so actp In defiance Of the
obligations of morality, the laws Of the
land, the requirements Of social duty, and
the sacred command, of God. BY the
practice of this disgraceful crime, what
valuable lives have been lost TO the com.
munity! And how many widows and
fa'herless children have wspt tears OF
bitterness over the bodies of theit self.
inundated and murdered husbands and
parents ! And what keeps it still in exis>
tence, but tho ridiculous idea tina, there
is no other way TO avoid disgrace! What,
but ths example Of such men as the
dukes. of Bedford and Buckingham II
it be right for mon Of rank to call each
other ONT. "a the only method for set.
thing their little differences, Why should
not other classes OF the community enjoy
the same privilege ! IF be tolerated in
one INSTANCES why not in twenty or TWO
hundred Let then its summary process
supercede the dull and intricate proee-
dure OF court of justice. Yes if it
be right, let it have its FULL course, Iet
this land of light and Literature, and noble
Christian institutions, be distinguished by
the universal prevalence Of this remnant
OF vandalism, this appsndage of the bloc.
dy feudal system! But after all lie. it be
remembered that duels not only tend to
annihiiate the kindly affections of the
human breast, and destroy the happiness
OF families, blu. that it cherishes and
gives scope to the vileat passions it
makes men bloody and ferocious upon
principle.
Such are the tendencies Of every duel,
and such the language which is uttered
by the conduct ofthe duellist. Let, then
all those who are liable to be called OUT
to engage in such contests, pause, ere il
be too late. Let them seriously call to
mind the solemn considerations which
have been stated and, finally, let them
remember, that besides the immediate
consequences Of SO rash an act, to their
example the murders of many subsequent
duellists, with all the wretchedness at,en-
dant upon their deaths, will be attributed
by the Righteous Judge Of the quick and
the dead. CLondon I'M.
From the Old Colony Memorial
1t may be gratifying to some Of your
readers to see the following names of of.
feers (who are still living) belonging to
the regiments Of Minute men, raised in
Massachusetts, in May or June, 1775-.
forty.eight years ago, viz: Rufus Put,
man, 1t. col. now living in the state of o,
hio; Danforth Keyes, lieut.. col. John
Brooks maj John Boyd, capt; PeIeg
Wadswortbp capt Jonathan Davis, capt
James Bancroft, lieut. Nathan Rice, adj