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

Ne be 50 GOOD tor oulloi 90 - I" 90 sp
! md probably will not be used for
~. .ab,;c edifces, though it will be valu-
M N, r. other purposes. The description
y ,,.r was incorrect, not being true
p ..,.;;n,;ou Of any stone, and my conjec-
p ~, therefore be no better than the
lshers.
4 We are indebted to the Clerk of the
,.,,ner Hero, fora late paper.
FOR THE PATRIOT.
TO DUELLISTS.
4 II men desire happiness; and con-
,,'ation Of that happiness during their
3 u usale existence. Whatever they do is
s eDs ID pursuit of happiness. When a
sn aoas that which is not the most con.
4snia] 10 happiness that his circumstance
| s sl1ors. be errs in judgment, or acts the
a a # a mailman. Therefore when a
nh fights duel, he does the best for
4 ii own happiness, errs in judgment, or
n the part Of mailman. If there be
4 d God, and no future state of exiatence
n 4 may be right. If there be a God who
! n]eased with such conduct the duellist
I ms done well. But if there be no God
/ rho is displeased with it, and that God
/ hthe Just Ruler Of the universe, every
man who engages in duel will find it to
/ his own disadvantage. If the Christian
] religion be true, duellists incur the dis
/ pessure Of God. He that falls dead in
| ,duel must bear that displeasure hereaf-
lei; and the survivor must repent, and
I wish the deed undone; or follow his an
nsonist to region of sorrow. If this
! be not true all who profess christianity
i are knaves or fools; and every Bible
ought to be committed to the flames.
Men may boast of their courage as
they please: but a wise man will not rush
! into combat with full convictien that he
must yield to his antagonist. If the COM
i mander Of an army should do so, he
! would deserve to be branded with infamy,
How then can man be thought wise who
lifts his hand in opposition to Almighty
God. Happiness is all we desire; and
ion boasted courage deprive us of hap.
pnsss and sink us in misery, away with
sch courage forever. AS sure as the
Bible is the word of God every duellist
vii, either in time or eternity repent of
lSconduct: and he has no just claim to
rason who does that which he is sure to
Nish undone.
But some profess not to believe the BIZ
he. Such men ought never to use it in
swearing or administering an oath. If
hey have the honor which is necessary
b act the part of officers, that honor
should induce them to reject book they
% not believe. And if they cannot fill
hose Offices without being sworn by this
Old book they ought nobly to decline.
should they enter into Office by afirma-
ION without the Bible, if a just and holy
God be not acknowledged, such af1ir-
nation is senseless and ridiculous, if not
hypocritical. And if just and holy God
Dc but acknowledged, all the sad conse-
quences | have mentioned may be ex-
Pected to follow the practice of duelling.
Il men be tired Of life and wish to leave
ne world reason seems to say they ought
. much as possible to have their minds
Imposed to peace. How shocking to
zee men whose passions are flaming with
y me fury Of demons, and even blasphe-
lalns TOD, thus in moment plunge into
eternity. What must be the character of
ne Almighty if he will instantly receive
ueir souls into his favor and admit them
70 eternal joy!
ne who has been killed in a duel is in
ssa.e Of happiness, or of misery, or of
Oal lnsensibility. Let the survivor think
ss ,s;I OF the three is most probably true.
Haen man has no family or friends
Y w y, ne ought to live, if he be willing
nsk the consequence Of. rushing into
.slnlsy' ne may say none has right to
,s1.Ialn. suppose this true; the man
NJ, NY nas 2 family depending ON him for
,appoft ls inexcusable. His bosom friend
sao gave him her hand with the tender.
II saeehon has a right to the most CRATE
H.. ls J ne can make so long as God
Asy la 4 him with life. If he have chill.
t. ssu !ne laws Of nature bind him to sup.
! III 81 mem in the best manner he is able.
~ III J ne willing to risk making his wife
le,4 a.w' It may be to pine in want, and
n a'e'e Of friends, to drag out a misera-
s,rr sa.s'ence, till life is worn away with
NV children to be brought in
ss,s s,Iy' and without education, perhaps
st;.aas driven, and cruelty beaten by
nj sa sI : whom the father never saw
,hao = mat ne may have the pleasure Of
G,.sa ng at a man who has perhaps, IN
h;rs S'1saay sad something that offended
Is. ana should he be successful it will
b , ,usaiy him in the eyes Of the world:
hn ,s q person will think better Of
l.. Wal 1an y ne had fallen. At the mosthe
han, 10y Proven that he knows how to
IL i ~ INC instruments Of death, which
M Sa ! Of men may know. The man
.obeas wiling for this british pleasure