The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-10-02
MASCEEKAN HGDUS.
DUELLING.

to the excellent letter of Gen. VIM. HENRY
HARRISON, upon the subject of dueng.-
Gen. Harrison has fought his countrys enemies
and now lends The influence of his great and
good name to render unpopular custom I'M
worthy the times in which we live,-a custom
which has robbed the republic Of Hamilton,
Decatur, Ciey, and host Of others of our
countrymen, who, but for their false notions of
honor might have escaped the disgrace of lying
down in the Duellists' graves. Reader, fail not
TO read the letter of a true patriot, brave war
ror, and an enig htened statesman. .,
Wecopy the following interesting letter from
the New Jersey State Journal, to which paper
it was furnished for publication by the gentle
to whom it is addressed e,;,a .ff
NoRrH BEND, 7th April, 1888.
DEAR Sir You ask my opinion g of the
code of honor which decides controversies by n
resort to the duel" | comply with your request,
aud would do so the more readily, III could
suppose that any thing that could say would
have any influence in putting an end to a prac
tee which Us the cause OF so much individual
distress and which violates so tnany obligations
of tho most sacred character.
The arguments which may be used against
dnelling obvioIs, and have been so often
urged by persons much more able TO do them
with giving you what may be termed my
perience in matters of this kind. Aud us this
certainly does not exhibit the practice III very
fascinating light. it may perhaps have better eff
feet than any other mode of treating the subject
that could adopt.
believe that there were more Gucls in the
northwestern army between the years 1871 and
1875, inclusive, than ever took place in the same
length OF time, and amongst small body OF
men as composed the commissioned officers OF
the army, either in America or any other coiIn-
try, at least in modern times. became an Off
Ger in the first mentioned year, at so early an
age, that it is not wonderful that / implicitly a.
dopted the opinion of the older officers, most
OK whom were veterans of the re evolution, upon
this as well as .upon other subjects connected
with my conduct and duty, in the profession
had chosen. | believed, therefore, in common
with the larger portion of the officers, that no
brave man would decline challenge, nor refrain
from giving one, whenever he considered that
his rights or feelings had been trespassed upon,
| must confess, too, that l not altogether
free from the opinion that even honor might he
acquired by well fought duel. Fortunately
however, before WAS engaged in duel, either
as principal or second, which terminated fatally
to any one became convi need that all my opn
ions on the subject were, founded in error, and
none of them more than that which depicted
the situation Of the siiccessful duellist, as either
honorable desirable. tt could not he honora
BILE because the greater portion of that class of
mankind whose good opinion OF an individual
confers honor upon him, where opposed to it,
And hal the best evidence TO believe that. in
the grave of the fallen duest, was frequently
buried the peace aud happiness ofthe survivor !;
the act which deprived the one OF existence
planting thorn in the bosom of the other
which would continue to rankle and tester there
to the end of his days. The conviction that
"such was the case, with men of good feelings
and principle, was produced by my witnessing
the mental fferiIlUS of Intimate friend bV
whose hand worthy man bad fallen. Several
years elapsed fron, the date of this affair, before
became acquainted with him.
We were soon after associated in the general
staff of the army, and forthe greater part of two
years, we shared the same tent or harrack room,
and often the same pallet. had therefore an
opportunity Of seeing the agony he often felt,
when his mind recurre.i to the event which had
deprived society ola worthy member and HIM
self OF an esteemed and cherished acquaintance.
Like the unhappy hermit in the tragedy ofDoug-
lass, he appeared in his sleep, 10 hold dialogues
with the ghost Of the victim of his superior skill
in the use Of arms, or more perfect self posses
sion and witness to them might have adopt
ed the opinion of the youthful Norval, that the
happier lot was his who had fallen. Taking the
rules which govern such matters. MS tile criterion
my friend had nothing wherewith to accuse him
self. The quarrel was indeed "fasten on him."
Generous MS brave, he had done every thing in
his power to induce a withdrawal Of the chal-
lenge. and when by the first fire. his adversary
was wounded, he anxously desired that the at
fair might there terminate. His proposition re.
jected, his second shot was fatal What an in
stmctve lesson does this story present to him
who resort to this mode Of settling a personal
difficulty and who possesses common sensbi-
~, and the principles Of humanity and honor
The sad alternatives. his own death, or subse.
quent life of bitter regret and sorrow. short
experience i'm the army convinced me- also that
fighting duel was not an undoubted test Of true
courage. | had known instances of dues and
desperate duels, being fought by men who
would not have been selected by officers who
knew them, TO lead iorlorn hope.,. On the con-
trary, possessed the most positive testimony to
prove, that some of the bravest men would not
engage in an affair ofthat kind under any crcum-
stances. 9@asaeh ss fit"'fN neH ~
Conformabe to my plan as stated in the COM
mencement of my letter. to give you facts rath-