Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-01-24

any productions when il would lie difcu furnish iet-
ions 10 H. vet the whole taken together presents OF
bnn1r and vivid ,ncy iniermixed with snusd judgment,
which is rarely equaed in similar productions. IYhiy
HOUSE OF DELEG.4TES.
FRIDAY, JAN 9, 1924.
DEBATE on THE BILL FOR THE RELIEF OF Ro.
DOUTIAr-fCon,inued.l
Mr.. BRIecs.-Mr. Speaker: in entering up
IN The investigation of the subject at present
engaging the attention ofihe House, | wish il
distinctly understood. that have no intention
of wounding the feelings of any individual, or
set of men. Imprllrd by IL SENSE of that du-
~, which owe tn nay country, my consc-
ence and my God, | ask the indulgence nf
this assembly, with the view of submitting Ia
their consideration, that, which in some de-
gree, may aid in justly understanding IA sub
iect of so much importance. In doing this. il
Will he necessary to investigate the prnci-
PIES which first gave rise To the practice of
duelling With this view il becomes indis-
pensably requisite TO inquire into the state of
that society with which it had its origin
(Nlan IN his rude and savage condition, ungo-
verned by ANY law but that which nature die
iates, finds safety only in that defence and
protection afforded by strength, cunning and
dextrrity.) All that relates TO the early histe-
~ of the ancient world, is either lost or so
wrapped in fable, that it is now impossible 10
ascertain what was the policy by which thew
were governed. Our knowledge of Greece
and Rome, of Egypt and Carthage, COM
meDced at period when they were able ia
write their own history, and at which. civil
zation had made such progress AS To Danish
those traits by which their original character
was distinguished. 1t is among that people
which laid the foundation of the modern
Kingdoms ofEnrope, that we must search for
i'll
cultivated state.
The hordes which poured in thousands
from the inhospitable regions of the north.
overturning every monument Of arr, extend
Ing the hand of determination to all that had
been effected by the science of civilization,
demonstrated IN living example, the principles
which govern wild and unsettled people
Divided originally into number of families.
or small clans governed by no law but that
which nature dictates, the possession of pro-
perty the safety Of life itself, frequently de-
pended upon individual strength, cunning or
dexterty. Such state of things could not
continue long. For purposes of mutual safe
~, combinations were formed, constituting
associations of greater power, subject to such
regulations as should preserve harmony A.
mOng themselves. These bands increasing
in strength, in proportion as they acquired
additional numbers, collision between parties
thus augmented, became destructive to thou
sands on both sides. Actuated by the same
principles of preservation, which led 10 the
primary association, recourse was had to ne
gotiation for mutual f0rbearance. Arbjtprs
we're appointed to adjudge the damages and
the remuneration To be paid by the Que party
andrecrived by the other. Testimony obtained
from witnesses blassed Ivy partiality, or sway
cd by prejudice, was generally insufficient 10
remove the difficulties by which The suhjec,
was enrironed. Who had been the first ag-
gressor, WAS still question undeci in this
dilemma. Influenced by that superstition
which ever springs in overshadowing luxuri
ance from the sniI Of ignorance, an appeal
was made 10 The supreme arbler Of human
destines, Tor the solution Of those difficulties
beyond the powers Of human Judgment
champion was selected on either side 10 re-
present the cuntending clans, and the issue of
this contest was believed with certainty TO
decide the guilt and innocence of the Iitigant
parties. The advantages which accrued from
this adoption in the preservation Of thousands
Of lives, in the prevention of exterminating
conflicts, loudly proclaimed the wisdom of The
policy. IL was u conservative eXpedient, and
removing from Our view the superstition
which gave IT existence il was complying
with a maxim which in every age Of the
"biIn, w tN'Iy Sidte W SOClety, mas nPPn pro-
ven ~ the very nature of things to he correct,
sacrificing the less to the greater good
This was the state of people who spread
themselves over the farest portion Of europe.
Each horde having his own chieftaiu, who
had tie power of making laws only for his
own clan, and which often clashed with the
enactments of neighboriDg Baron, produced
continue feuds and ceaseIess bloodshed, by
the mode Of adjustment
This gloomy cloud rested with undiminish-
ed darkness nPon the countries Of Europe,
from the 18th to the 11tb century. At this
more happy period, the light of civilization
began 10 dawn upon The Notwithstanding was
again reyived--the wise provisions of the RO-
man code for the preservation of public peace
and private safety were adopted, aud made
the law Of the land, by the monArchs Of each
kingdom.
Such, however, had long been the habits ofI
each petty Baron, IN governing with absolute
power their several fefs, that Ia surrender the
privilege Of asserting his own rights. and oil
avcuging his own wrongs, unfettered by the
shackies Of the laws, governing the vulgar
ihropg, was degradation to which their high
scnse ofpersonal honor could not iamely sub
nit. A challenge TO the field, 10 decide bv