The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-03-13

! THE WAsHINGroN DUEL. This melancholy and
disgraciul affair has created much excitement all
over tho country, but perhaps in part much as
in New England. 1t is so seldom that a son of the
pilgrims can be found so regardless of the instu
tons and moral feelings of his native land. TIA
whenever an individual ventures 20 enter the ar
ena of mortal combat, in cool blood, with ,nur.
der IN i.is heart, wonder MS fellow citizens are
shocked at the daring spirit exhibited under such
circumstances. With the commandment, "THoU
SHALT NOT KILL deeply engraven upon his heart
in early life, it is passing strange that New Eng
lander should consent to recognize any thing obg-
atorY in the abomnable code Of honor, it is false
ly termed, by gentlemen of the South. But Clley,
u New Hampshire boy, and latterly engaged IN
professional and public business in of the most
religious districts in Maine, disregarded the admon-
itory promptings of a moral education, and defed
the execrations Of his constituents which he would
ossurcdly have met on his return, had he survived
the duel; and as consequence, has gone down to
an untimely and dishonored grave, "unwept, and
unhonored," al least by every one disconnected in
relationship and who would stamp the practice Of
dueling with merited Reproduction. Neither can
Graves be esteemed by Northern man in any other
light than that Of murderer; but no more SO than
his victim, Their intentions were the same They
sought each other blood. Each had schooed his
for the fatal steady aim and CIlley is said to have
uttered, as his last words before he received his
mortal wound, "Ill bring him this time" Mistak-
en- man scarcely had the sound OF his voice died
upon the ear, ere a bullet from the rife of the vic
tim of his heart summoned him TO judgment!
We rejoice to discover the moral sense of the
community at the North sound and sensitive as
is indicated by the general expression of. condem
nation Of the conduct Of all engaged in this nefa
rions transaction, by the public press, with now and
then exception. AS might be anticipated from
their known character, few unprncipled, corrupt
vehicles of party malignty, with view TO operate
upon the Spring elections, attempting TO turn it
to their advantage, particularly in New Hampshire
The N. ii. Patriot appears clothed in mourning,
and calls Justify upon its friends to rally and rebuke
this "bank conspiracy against Van Buren, members
of Congress- and the State has been flooded with
in the last week with extras, of the same character.
Such dishonest desgn cannot do injury to the
Wings where the true state Of the Is know, for
then it will be that the conspiracy, if any eX
:sted, was on the part Of Clley and his fricnds.-
The CBtci@l statement Of the seconds exhibits most
clearly that Cilley determined and confident f
killing his antagonist, by his superior skill in the
use Of the rifle. If he had desired to avoid hght
why did he not initiate the commemorate example
of Daniel Webster, when challenged by John
Randolph in 1924, or thereabont, and decline meet
ing Graves? Mr. Webster refused to fight the Vr-
gnia unatic in conformity to his own sense of duty
and the sentiment of the North. He suffered only
the sneers of Southern braggarts and those of 7.
ii. Benton, Randolph's second who improves eve
ny favorable occasion to taunt him with being a
coward.