Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-09
MACON.
FOR THE WING
THE ANTI-DUELLING LAW.

IT was not contemplated by any of those inter-
ested IN the fate of Ro Douthat application to the
Legislature to intrude their opinions and feelings
upon the public; much less was it intended to call
INTO question the decisive vote, which blasted or
the present at eas) the hopes ofthe petitioner and
his fellow sufferers. 1t sufficient to know that
the nation in her assembled majesty and congrega-
ted wisdom had decreed against us, after patient
and liberal investigation. But since is has pleased
ga courstrytnan," who comes from the cool and
retired wales of retired lfe,' and Who TO use his
own words, seems TO be &c 4 man of thought, calm
ness and reflection, TO re-echo the harsh language
OF those whose legislative privileges gave them Ii
cense, who interested feel disposed to tell tle
gentleman
VINO sets by his freside and presumes to know
What's done in the Capitol"
that nc has wronged US overmuch--that we are not
murderers or assassins, and that however unpar-
donable our offence may appear to him and his
friends IN the Legislature, yet that in our humble
OPINION 1t can be shewn that there are as many
violaters of other laws of God and Man, as are de-
serving the of the legislature as can be found
among the young men of the country who in the
heediessness of youth, under the influence of Just
provocation, have violated the Anti-Duelling Law.
propose to point out such offenders.
In the fulflment of my task, / do not deem il ne
cessary to travel back with one gentleman to the
days OF Cain and Abel, nor with another to the
era OF the Egyptian Mummy in order TO ascertain
the origin of duening, If such DAYS had never been
If the influence of Chivalry had never reached
this nation, by foreign importation, vet imagine
GONE mode of combat would have been introduced
winch would place the weak upon an equal footing
with the more powednl-whch for instance would
place small gentleman from this side oEtbe noun
tam on an equality with rawboned hero from the
neIghbourhood of the North mountain, (imagininr
Tor moment, the latter gentleman dressed in hun
linz hir. V,ith i n
Edk, the Deer, the Bear" and disposed TO rive the
Doctor from this side drubbing OH the high way.
near the Calf Pasture River)---I pretend not to
surnise what their mode of fighting might be- as
such things depend very much upon the consttu-
iona feelings of the parties interested but that tho
smaller man would he anxious lin such extremity
TO use weapons which would enable him to cope
with his tail, athletic and powerful looking ad-
versary, will doubt; for it would be the sup-
gestion of prudence, the better part of valor Let
us then not look beyond our own time for the orr
GIN OF this practice, since it have counenance
and support, whenever il becomes necessary to pun
ISL the Overlooking insolonce ofrawboned aud mus
GUAR Importance Let US rather examine this SUBJ
jec (stript Of this speech making garb) upon prnci-
pie.
The punlsh'nents denounced against the duelist
are death and disfranchisement---the punishment
denounced against the mere challenger or acccp-
tor of challenge is disfranchiscme nt---thc mode
OF asceriaining the guilt ofthe offenders in order to
infiict the latter punishment is by inqusitorial
oath, which conscientious men will hesitate to
take, but which gentlemen of liberal consciences
never heed 1t this trial by the conscience (Which
places the perjurer, a better footing than the
man Of truh and which destroys the trial by iury)
of which we complain.
Our couutryman tells us that laws should he
made to operate equally on all. ] thank him for
toe text, and if do not convince him and every
other candid man. that there be offenders against the
public peace and public morals equally unfit for
the Bench, the Legislature or the Executive, aye
Or the Pulpit as are the offenders against the Anti
D"eiting Law, then indeed will consent to be
ranked among the most degraded nalefactors.
Can IT be required Of me to prove that the assas-
SIN VINO slabs his friend under tine influence Of mo-
mentary excitement, or the cold blooded murderer
who effects his purpose in the dark are less guilty
than the dueliist. 1t will not be denied that an
attempt to commit murder Is Of equal guilt with
sending or accepting challenge. Nor will it be
ihatt5e adulterer perpetrsor OF rape,