Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-09-13

which a Gracious Providence has provided
Tor the MORALLY wounded soldier, TO enable
him to offer last prayer for his distant fam.
ny, IL he has one, or for the pardon ofhis own
sins.-Tufning his intelligent eye upon hi.
late antagonist, he mildly said that che had
desired 10 see him, for the purpose Of assur.
ing Nun OF his sincere forgivensss-thai he
wished him happiness in this world. and thai,
as the means OF securing il, he recommend.
ed 10 him, with the sincerity of div ing man
TO ehdeavor 10 restrain the whence of His
passions, the Indulgence OF which had de
prircd one oil lie, who had never injur ed
him, in thought or decd''
! am satisfied that what have said above
does not entirely meet your inquiry, and thai,
you Will expect me ~ state what effects The
scene have described, had in forming my
Own principle, aud governing my own con
uuct. have already stated an entire change
IN my sentiments IN the subject Of dueiIing,
from those which entertained upon 10y FIRST
entering the army, and for which no excuse
can he offered, but my extreme youth. and
the bad example continually before me. In
almost every other case, possessed of the de-
iiberate opinions of man, you might safely
conc!ude that his conduct would be in con
iormIly to them. But such alas is not the
case with men of she world, in relation To
the laws which form the ''code of honor"
Abstractly considered, they all condemn
mem, whilst In practice they adopt them
In all other cases, independent men act from
Their own convictions, but in this case, upon
Inc opinions OF others, or rather from what
they lear may be the opinions of others.
L acknowledge then, that tue change Of
my opinions, which have admitted in re-.
iation 10 duelling had no other influence on
my conduct than TO determine me never TO
be The aggressor. But although resolved to
offer no insult nor infiict any injury, l was
determined TO suffer none. When l left the
army, however, and retired 10 civil life, |
considered myself authorised greatly 10 mar.
row the ground upon which would be will
ing 10 resort TO a personal combat To the
determination which had previously made,
10 otter no insult or inflict any injury 10 give
occasion TO any one 10 call upon me in this
way, (for after witnessing the scene which I
have last described, the wealth and honors of
the world would not have tempted me 10 le>
vel pistol at the breast of a man whom
had inJured,) | resolved 10 disregard all re-
marks upon my conduct which could moi be
construed into deliberate insult, or any in
jury which did not effect my reputation or
The happiness andp peace ofmy family. When
hau The honor to be called upon 10 com.
mand the North Western Army, recollect.
ing tie number Of gallant men that had fal
- 49, Ao' uaSs VOL JU p6TSODaI combat.
determined 10 use all the authority and ali
the influence OF my station to prevent their
recurrence And TO take away the princi-
pal source from which they spring, in an
address TO the Pennsylvania brigade, at San
dusky, declared it to be my determination
to prevent, by all the means that the militia
ry laws placed in my hands, any injury or
even insult, which should be offered, by the
superior TO the inferior officers. cannot
say what influence this course, upon nv
part, may have produced in the result. Blu,
state, with pleasure, that there was moi a
single duel, nor, as far Us know, a chal
lenge given, whilst retained the command.
The activity in which the army was con-
stantly kept, may, however have been the
principal cause Of this uncommon harmony.
In relation TO my present sentiments. a
sense OF higher obligations than human laws.
or human opinions, can impose, has deter
mined me never, ON any occasion, 20 nccep.
challenge or seek satisfaction for personal
injury, by resort TO the laws which CONS
pose the code Of honor. lam, very rcspect.
July, your, fellow citizen
w. III. HARRISON.
10 AARON b. HOWELL, ESQ.