The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-03-28
From the Charleston Gazette,

Dueling although prevalent chiefly in
civilized and christian countries, is at best a
barbarous and unchris,ian practice; but the
circumstances of the late personal combat,
between Messrs. GRAVES, Of Kentucky, and
CnLEy, of Maine, which terminated in the
untinlely death of the latter, stamp it with
a character more than usually revolving.
So far as we have been nble to observe or
learn, but one feeling Of horror and indig-
nation pervades our entire community, dis
tinguished rs it is for that hightoned and
delicate sense of honor, characteristic: of the
South, against those oil whom rests the re-
sponsibility of this arocious affair. The
chef weight of that responsibility, candor
and sense of duty compel us to say, must
he borne by that turbulent Virginiun, who
has so long possessed an unenviable noto-
riety, as a disturber of the peace and good
order of our national legislature. The
statement of the two seconds is now before
the public; and well may they, or one of
them, or least, express the wish that the
transaction should be henceforth buried in
silence ; for case Of more cold-blooded
wanton and deliberate sacrifice Of human
life has never been presented in the annals
of duelling. The publication of this state
ment, and the circumstances of the trans
action, require and demand the full and
universal expression of the opinion of the
press; and we shrink not from our share of
the painful but necessary duty.
The controversy between Messrs. GRAVES
and CILLrY was on point Of etiquette, the
merest punctifio in the code of honor; and
it is admitted by all who recognize the au-
thori,y of that code, at least in this part of
the world, that, in such case, an exchange
of shots fully satisfies the point of honor.
But the case in question was not an ordina-
ry one of this description. Enough had
ranspred, previous to the hostile meeting
of the parties, to do away all preteBce of
its necessity, even On the ground Of eii-
quette.
We have ma,urely reflected on this whole
transaction, as developed by the statement
Of the two seconds, and our reason, as well
as our feeling, revolts at its shocking and
wanton barbarity. 1t is marked by feat
ures which betray that spirit utterly devoid
of social order, and fatally bent on mischief
that malice prepense, which would suffice
to sustain an indictment for murder. Du-
els as ordinarily conducted are much too
gently dealt with; bu, the present instance
calls rs well for the scourge of justice, as
Of public opinion. The two seconds speak
Of their cordial agreement " in bearing un-
qualified testimony TO the fair and honora-
ole manner in which the duel was conduct
ed and they even prate of having been
regulated in the affair "by magnnnmous
principles and the laws ofbumani,yw The
laws of humanity have never been more n
trociously violated, mocked and dehed-
the code Of honor has never been more
grossly abused-and as for magnanimity ~
the transaction. it consists in the wicked
qulbbiins away ofa fellow creatures late.
They say that the object OF their statement
is to allsy excitement, and prevent TURNER
controversy upon subject which IS al,
ready so full Of woe" They who caused
all this voc have good reason to shrink from
public cousrove'sy-bs' we frost 'na'' now