Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-02-28

From orr Eveuiag Edhion ofycsserdsy.l
The New York Press ON the washington
Trawedy.

oil Pdttcs SouCcTucu
the awful tragedy at Washington. The expression Of
personal indignation against Mr. Webb Is terrihc and
as we learn upwards Of hundred subscribers of The
Courier eslerday Withdrew their patronage from the
wicked and blood-crmsoned sheet The reign ofterror
set on foot by that paper and its reckless conductors
being withstood in earnest every to
what it tends, and how society must be turned into
den Of wild beasts f such bloody doings be tole
rated and justified The pursued by the coward
ly murderers paper aggravaes its principals
conduct and shows in indebe characters the mad aud
intolerable impudence and wickedness OF these who
would vindcae what the universal voice Of great and
moral community has united to condemn.
That this voice may be heard and understood in all
parts of the country aud its echo pervade social
system we have thought advisable to transcrbe the
opinions Of the contemporary press ELECTED by this sad
business Ii will be that with bat two solitary ex-
ceptons il is stamped foul murder and the action
of the laws if any there be- strensousy invoked Our
own comments we will make tomorrow morning on the
dreadful text we have before us.
From the Courier and Enquirer.
In the absence of the Senior Editor, would vii
lngy orbesr all comment the receat unfortunate oc
currence Washington but we feel that we should be
ltv of gross Injustice the parties engaged III IT, were
we TO omit due notice of the articles that have appeared
In one or of our city newspapers IN whlch the
k
as foul conspiratos and cold blooded murderers. The
correspondent of the Journal of Commerce describes
the recent duel as the oulest conspiracy that ever
marked the annals of crime-and speaks OF lis mean-
ness, connivance, and attrocity"-adding that the
wreches who got up and perpetraed this tragedy are
execrated by every honorable man" The correspond
ef the Gazette whom believe to be the same IN
dividnal similar language-and adds that the
SECONDS who allowed second fire, ought TO be hanged
for murder"
We are all aware that the strsng prejudice which
walls in section OF this country against the practice OF
dueng leads to the miserable afectaon of stigmatiz
ing with the epthet Of murder every death by single
combat But on this subject there is great diversity
of sentiment. The same public opinion, tor instance,
which fesids duelling in New England, compcls ii in
the South and West but OF all sections whatever
may have been their preconcepons prejudces have
sometimes been compelled to 1t as the only
mode of vndcang their character or maintaining their
position or usefulness in society. No man condemned
the custom more severely than Gen. HAMLToN-but he
was compelled the field and if the unfortunate con-
troversy in which he was engaged had terminated diff
ferently and Colonel BURR had been the victim, who
could have denounced his adversary conspirator
and murderer"
1t is difficult argue against the sympathy which uni
fossny attaches misfortune but it is In the last de-
gree cowarily and cruel-dase and inhaman-to celor
and dstort of this description not with the
view of exciting public adherence OF the custom OF
dueng but Of turning il against the unfortunate actors
In particular affair If all duelsts murderers,
then the people OF the United States have elevated
murderer the chief magistracy and all men who held
themselves amenabe to the laws which are technically
recognized the code of honor wait but the necessary
provocation to becsme murderers themselves. With
those then who hold such opinions shall not pretend
to reason the propety of settling controversies by the
duel as abstract question: we shall not discuss All
reasonable and reasoning men must admit that cases
NAV occur in which IL cannot be avoided
In the present instance we can see ncthing on the
part Of Mr. GRAVES his seconds that the rules
OF that tribunal which the arbitrament OF the differ
ence had been referred. We cannot therefore too
strongly condemn the attempt made to pre-occuPy the
public mind, by comments based on partial knowledge
or a probable perversion of the facts. The statement
which we Yesterday published from the Spy in Washing
ton is doubtless correct narrative of the whole affair
Even the Washington Globe of Saturday evening lnt-
parties in the field. Nothing. are confident could
have occurred which any spirit but tho most iberai
and fanatic could msnterpret or misrepresent We are
well assured therefore that the public mind VIII receive
ne unavor able impression from the bgotea sensures
or slanderous inventions which have been may be
in regard this unfortunate aHair-but re-
serve itself for a dispassonate and impartial Judgment
on full statement Of all It's particulars.
From the Express
TsE wAsHISGroS DUEL.-We spread before our
readers such Of the details of this duel find in
some OF aries so that they may have all
the facts and rumours that are ahoat personally &C,
aaanted with nearly all the parties engaged
in this melancholy ARRAY we feel much emoarrassment
in dschargng duty in the comments necessary TO be
made upon Il mingling such an acquaintance does,
something Of the sacrifice OF personal friendship, with
poses upon every independent editor.
In the first place, mvst remark, that Col. Webbs
passion for duel is bringing neither fer him nor the
Press Of which his paper is prominent member, any
thing o credit or character Almost every winter for
six wears past ir recollect Alright, he has gone
20 Washington earnestly bent upon fight somehow or
oher-but from the days Of General Duff Green and OF
Senator poindexter down the present tragedy, we
believe he has never succeeded in engaging in one
Thi. passion of Colonel Webb. have considered
nosonanis displaying certainly great deal OF cooiness
and courage but something that also indicated great
love OF notoriey In all othese affairs he has been the
mos, unfortunate in the world for he has not been
able To engage hissclf-but second or third party
in the controversy. In the meantime he has been gene.
rally right in the be made out however amusing
udcross may have been the parts he acted IN them
for OF all things in the world the and most
cowsrdly that a member Of Congress should insult an
editor Of newspaper with specific and personsl char
ges anil that, he be fighting TO refuse to light
him. because he 10 Gentlemsnp' Take the case of
Mr.. Cilly for example. Whatever may be the great
differences OF opinion IN this city Webb yet If the
question Of what made gentleman to be submitted
~ popular jury, in the places whence Mr.. Cilly
and COL Webb came, even with such Jury OF all par.
tea Col. weob would have the appelatisn quite
rs readily as MIR. Cilly Mr.. Ciy, dead as he u.s. we
must say guilty Of but bubble he wanted
the courage 10 resist well he could considering the
New England District he represents. the absurd and
criminal practice Of daelliss. Indeed feel quite
sure from what have heard that hewss involved in
the duel because he had, as IL were, committed himself
three wears AGO. in the Of colleague &c his by in
sisting IN the y. O J. Smith and Jarvis quarrel that