The Iowa patriot. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1839-1839, 1839-07-25

$ capable of the most consummate wick.
,dness. Whatever false reports NAV
nave been raised against him, nothing
worse can be said than what he has pro-.
ven to be true. There may indeed be
crimes he would not commit; but man
often scorns to commit the crimes Of
which other men are guilty, and yet COM
nlts other crimes which they hold in
equal adherence; and sometimes really
worse, than those he condemns.
When it is not necessary as means of
defence, nothing can justify us in coolly
wishing to take mans life, unless we
are fully convinced that he is SO far des-
titute of good principle as not to deserve
a place among the living: and then the
civil law must be deficient if it does not
condemn him to death. But surely duel
lists will not always say that the law
ought to have been so made as to punish
their antagonists with death.
When a man does not deserve to die it
is shocking crime to kill him. And
when one does deserve to die, it is mad
ness for the injured person to risk his
own life against that of the injurer which
may only add injury to injury on the part
of the innocent. Were man convicted
of a capital crime by the law of the land,
and some friend to the public would offer
to risk his life against the criminal, who
would be pleased at the combat? But is
it not often the case that a man attempts
to kill one whom he acknowledges to be
in his. general character gentleman of
honor, because he happens to commit
one error? In such case the assaulted
may defend himself. Should difference
take place between another person and
me, if l can believe am wrong / ought
to acknowledge it, and as far as the cir
cumstances permit to make amends for
the injury. It may be thought mark of
meanness humbly to confess wrong, and
try to make reparation. I grant it. But
wherein does the meanness consist? Sure
ly in the wrong that is done, and not in
making reparation. And if we would
have the least meanness possible attached
to our character the only way is to wrong
others no more, and give all satisfaction
for what we have done. And the man
to whom due acknowledgement is made
must possess a brutal feeling if he still
insist on taking revenge. But if | do not
believe am in the wrong, and the man
with whom have difference makes no
acknowledgement l should still remem-
Der that he may not see his error as do.
Who knows that we may not sincerely
and honestly differ in opinion! Every
man of generous feelings would rather let
guilty person escape than to punish an
innocent one. And let the case be as it
will, to take his life cannot repair the in
jury he has done. In all cases we have
right to forgive injuries unless some
person have right to forbid it; and such
case l believe cannot be found. The
law which requires us to resent all inju-
ries is barbarism, unfounded in the will
of God or in the conduct of the most hon
orable characters that ever have lived.
Shall God forgive unnumbered crimes;
and shall we who are guilty of ten thous-
and ourselves refuse to forgive one In a
fellow sinner! Surely it would be more
noble to follow the example of Heaven.
Some will probably plead that duelling
is fashionable among those who are con-
sidered gentlemen of honor; and conse-
quently to decline a combat would in
many instances disgrace man in the
eyes of the world. Many see the evil of
the practice, confess it to be in itself
wrong, that it has no just foundation in
nature; but they are SO pitifally afraid that
others will think slightly Of them that
they will comply. Thus they become
the dupes of fashion; and while they are
fighting for the name of HERO, they prove
themselves fearful in the zowest degree.
Let a mathematical question be proposed
to man who knows how to answer it
correctly; if he should be in company
with hundred ignorant persons who
agree to give an erroneous answer, will
he give up the known truth, and acknowl-
edge them right! If you should happen
with company of drunkards who burn
their clothes would it be wise in you to
follow the example, A man of truly
noble spirit, when he knows what will
be most conducive to happiness, and that
which will receive the appreciation of
God and al. intelligent beings when view.
ed in the glorious light of eternity, will
pursue that course though all the world
should now consider him fool. If he is
right the day will come when all the
world should now consider him fool.
If he is right the day will come when all
shall confess the superiority of his Judge
ment.
When once cause is universally ac-
knowledged to be good. he that first en-
gagged in it may expect the greater ap-
probation: and he that was slowest in fol-
lowing the good example may expect the
least applause. Therefore when we see
the improperly Of a practice we should
do every thing to discourage it; and if we
prove successful we shall be the benefac-
tors of mankind; if unsuccessful we shall
at last appear in all such cases to have
been among the wisest of men.
A FRIEND TO MORALITY. III