Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-09-24

Among the testimonies which have been
given against the crime Of Murder ly the
system of duplng-wc know scarcely one
" hich IN present circumstances Is more EN-
pha,ic aud illustrative, or which III present
circumstances is more edIiylng, and likely to,
be att nded with the most salutary influence.
than the following letter written by one OF
the present candidates tor the Office Of Presl
dent of the United States which clrcum.
siance ~ any contingency adds great weight
10 the facts and arguments which are SO ln
cidly aud eloqucDtly embodied IN his import
ant dcnuncIulIon Of that rnonstrous lniquIty.
which lnclud,s both suicide and assasslna.
TONY y. Christian Inieiiigencer.
GEN. HARRISON ON DUELLING.
North Bend, 1pra 7h, 1888.
You 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 that could say would have
any influence IN putting an end 10 practice
which Is the cause OF SO much individual dis Il.
tress, and violates so many obligations of the
most sacred character.
The arguments winch may be used against
duelllng are SO obyl0us, and have been so
often urged by persons much more able To
do them justice than | am, thul shall Content
myself arth giving you what may be termed
my experience III matters of this kind. And
rs this certainly does not exhibit the prac-
iice III very fascinating light, it may per-
laps have better effect than any other
mode Of treating the subject that l cal.
adopt.
believe that there were more dueIs in The
north. western army between the years l19l
and l795 inclusive, than ever took place IL
the sane length oi time, and among so sInal
body of men as composed the commissioner
officers Of The army either in America, or any
Oiner country, at least in modern times.
became an officer in the first mentioned year
at so early an ogc, ihat it is not wonderful
that implicitly adopted the opinions of the
older officers, most OF whom were veterans OF
the Revolution, upon this as well us upon
other subjects connected with my conduct
aud duty III the profession had chosen. | be
Iieved, therefore, ~ common with the larger
portion Of the officers, that no brave maj
would decline a challenge, nor refrain from
giving one. whenever he considered that hl,
rights or feelings had been trcspassed upon
] must confess, too, that was not altogethc
free from the opinion, that even honor migh
be acquired by well fought duel. FUrlu
nately, however, before | was engaged in
duel, either as principal or second, whc
terminated fatally to any one, became con
ylnced that ell my opinions on the subec
were founded in error, aud none of them NOR
so than that which depicted the situation O
the successful duellist, ss either honorable o
desirable. 1t could not be honorable, be
cause the greater portion OF that class q
mankind whose good opinion Of un individuu
conirfs honor upon him, were opposed To il
Ana had the bes, evidence TO believe TINT
m the grave Of the fallen duelst, was fre
queDtly buried the peace aud happiness @
the survivor, the act which deprived the OIL,
ot existence, planting lhnrn IN the bosom
vi the other, which would continue To rankl.
aud lester there H. the cud of MS days Th,
cunvlciIuD that such was the case with met
U good feelings aud principles, was produce,
by NY witnessing the mental suffcrings o
an intimate aud valued friend, by whose han
sworihy mnu had ia!cn. Several years hn
elapsed from The date of this, before bccain
acquoini'd with hm
We ~er soon after associated in the gene
raj staH "i the army, and for the greater pal
OF two years. We shared tho same tent or bal
rack room, aud oitcn the same pallet bo
ilhrci"re ah opportunity of seeing the sgoD
he often felt. when his nlnd REQUIRED TO ~
event winch had ,l''prived soc ETY. Of worth
nrnlber. and himself OF an esteemed an
cherished acquaintance. Like the unhapp,
hermit ~ he tragedy OF Douglss, he appear
I'd. ~ be slrcp. 10 ''hold dialogues" with III,
ghost OF The viciin. Of ~. superior skill IN III,
u4 n arms, nr more sell possessioD, aud
wi,Dcss 70 them might have adopted tho opn