The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1840-11-14

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NE 8 blood Of a brother, the objec, of our es-
! leem and respect! Rather, do we not turn
from him with the chill of horror, and the
:, loathing of disgust Certainly we do. Upon
what principle then is il, that we anorove
'hat unfortunate creature, who, actuated bv
lie same baneful passion, seeks with an in
uus'ry which never tires, and hatred which
never abates, the life of his brother. Each
~ this respect is alike-each is savage and
''.e conduct OF each, when brought before the
tribunal OF wisdom and religion. mus, receive
Us condemnation. But duels we are told are
not always founded on REVENGE. Sore,;m..
at least 1t so said, men fight not because thew
leel the slightest resentment against each
o'her not because they believe that one
has insulted or even intended to insult the
other, but because their friends--gcntlemen
pretty frequently as remarkable for the viola
ton OF moral precepts, as they are Indifferent
about the lives Of their fellow creatures
think, that they ought to fight. They there
fore go out, and fire at each other. Perhaps
one, perhaps both fall, and all this is done out
of most accommodating dispositions to please
their friends One does not know on such
an occasion as this, which most to admire,
the extraordinary zeal of such friends for
the combatants, or the vast courtesy which
these latter display for their friends, who out
of the purest kindness have prescribed fight
for the mutual advantage Of each party and
the benefit of society. Such dues we think
should be denominated foolish, and the COM
batants themselves deserve to be regarded as
fools of the first order; and were it not for
the consequences which result from them
were it not for the violation Of law, both
human and divine, and that souls, unprepar-
ed, are launched before the judgment seat of
a God of justice as well as mercy, we might
be almost tempted to laugh at the superla-
tive folly which prompts two men to fight
and shoot at each other for the amusement
of their friends. But crimes always tremen-
dous in their consequences, should never
be laughed at; and as the matter really stan Is,
in what light are the principal actors in such
bloody tragedies to be viewed, but as men
whose superlatve folly claims for them a
most conspicuous place in the list Of block
heads. And, their friends, in what light
should they be regarded, but as the agents Of
Satan! Certainly they are their most deadly
enemier; as for the deed to which they prompt
them, what is it but death to their bodies?
and, what is of much more consequence,
perhaps, death likewise, to their souls. He
who denies this, has a morality, which we
own, we do not covet; and principles con-
demned by the civil law, and at war with
the divine; for, as it respects this, what we
would ask, constitutes murder, if it be not to
kill man in cold bloodorwith malice preIence?
Let it not be said, a contemplate sophism,
that then murder is committed, when man
in obedience to the laws Of his country, fights
and Stays his enemey in the field of battle.
No, such a deed is not murder; and the feel
ings common among all mankind, stamp up
on it different character. Who does not
honor the virtuous and the brave? Who but
must experience an extraordinary pulsaton
in his heart, at beholdiug the hero, victor
over the enemies of his country, and encir-
cling her character with the bright halo of
glory? The man who does this, deserves
that the laurel should be entwned around
his brow, and is entitled to the highest trusts
that free people can confer on him. For,
to serve ones country, is often to serve ones
self. But, to serve her in time of war and
of peril, to serve her amidst the fury and
carnage Of battle, is to serve her for herself;
and such man merits the confidence, the
esteem, and gratitude Of the people. But,
between this man and the dueist, between
this warrior who Stays his enemy in obedi-
ence to the laws of his country, and the man
who kills his brother in violation of these
laws there is very great difference indeed
God has commanded wars in the old law,
and Jesus Christ has left us precept, that
we yield to Caesar what is Caesars due. As
well might the Legislature be charged with
murder which passes law to punish with
death the, perpetrator Of murder; as well might
the judge be held as murderer for pro-
nouncing the sentence Of this law; and as well
might the same epithet be applied to the Off
Ger who carries this sentence into execution.
No; when our country commands us to do
that which is lawful, it is not lawful to DISC
hey her. From the most ancient history of