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

Howell, Esq, OF Nottingham in tina, State,
asking his "opinion of the code of honor
which decides controversies by resort TO
The duel. Ii abOunds in matters of interest
IN many respects, aud therefore deserves gem
eral rerusal.
NORTH BEND, 9TH April, 1888.
DEAR SIR-fou ask my opinion "of the
code OF honor which decides controversies by
resort to the duel" comply with your
request and would do so more readily, if
could suppose that any thing tina, could say
would have any influence in putting an end
to a practice which is the cause of SO much
individual distress, and violates so many obs
legations OF the most sacred character
The arguments which may be used ag inst
dueliing are SO obvious, and have been So
o''en urged by persons much more able TO
do them justice that I am, that shall con
tent myself with giving you what may be
Termed my experience in matters of this
KIND. And as this does not exhibit the
practice IN avery fascinating light, il may
perhaps have better effect than any other
mode oil treating the subject that could a.
dopt.
believe there were more duels in the
north. western army between the ears 10
ana 1873 inclusive, than ever took Mace IN
The same length OF time and amongs, So
small body OF men composed the com.
missioned officers Of the army, either i'm A
merIca, or any other country, at least in mo-
dern times 1 became an officer in the first
mentioned year, at so emily an age, tina, i, is
| not wonderful tina. implicitly adop,ed the
opinions of the old officers, most OF whom
were veterans of the Revolution, upon this
as we'll as upon other subjects connected with
conduct and duty in the profession had cho.
sen. lseelieved, therefore, in common with
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 trespas.
sed upon. ! must confess, that was moi al
together free from the opinion that oven
honor might be acquired by well fought
duel. Fortunately, however, before l was
engaged IN duel, either as principal or se>
! cond which terminated fatally TO any one.
became convinced that all my opinions on
the subject we're founded in error, and none
OF them more so than that which depicted the
situation OF the successful duelist as either
honorable or desirable. Ii could not be hons
orable, because the greater portion Of that
class OF mankind whose good opinion of an
individual confers honor upon him, were on
posed 10 il. Ard had the best evidence 10
believe that, in the grave of the fallen duel.
list, was frequently buried the peace and
happiness OF the survivor /; the act which de-
prived the one of eXistence, planted a thorn
in the bosom of the other, which would con.
tinue 10 wranlle and tester there 10 the end
ofbis days. The conviction that such was
The case, with men of good feeling and prin,
cipie, was produced by my Witnessing the
mental suffering Of an intimate and valued
friend, by whose hand a worthy man had
fallen. Several years had elapsed from The
date OF this affair, before became acquant-
ed with him.
We were soon after associated in the gen,
eral staff of the army, and for the greater
part OF two years, we shared the same ten;
or barrack room, and ellen the same pallei.
had an opportunity OF seeing The agony he
oHen feli, when his mind REQUIRED 10 The o.
vent which bad deprived so ciety of a worthy
member and hinselfofan esteemed md cher,
Ished acquaintance. Like the unhappy her
init in the tragedy OF Douglass, he appeared,
in his sleep 10 "hold dialogues with the
ghost OF the victim of his superior skill in
Inc use OF arms, or more perfect self-posses-
sion, and witness TO them might have a.
doped the opinion Of the youthful II orval tina,
the happier lot was his " ho had fallen. TAX.
ing the rules which govern such matters, as
the criterion, my friend had nothing where.
with 10 accuse himself. The quarrel was
indeed "lastened oa HIM" Generous as
brave, he had done every thing in his power
10 induce Withdrawal OF the challenge. and
when by first fire, his adversary was woun.
ded, he anxiously desired that the affair
might there terminate. His proposition re-
Jecied, his second shot was fatal. What an
instructive lesson does this story present 10
him who would resort 10 this mode of SET
Ting personal difficulty; add possess com.
mon sensibiity and the principles Of hu-
manly and boDor.-The sad alternatives.
his Own death, or subsequent life OF bitter
regret and sorrow. A short experience in
The army convinced me, also, tina, fighting
duel was not al, uEdoubted iest Of true cour-
age. had known instances Of duels, and
desperate dueIs, being fought by men who
would MOI have been selected by officers who
knew them TO lead forlorn hope. On the
contrary, possessed the most positive les
limooy TO prove that some OF the bravest
men would not be engaged in an affair Of
that kind under any circumstances.
CoDformably 70 my plan as stated in The
commencement of roy letter In oive va, fscfs