The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-11-16

method for several reasons; it was i'll con-
sonance with the rules Of honor, which
did not necessarily claim victim by q
direct and deadly aim; it also gave a
chance for both, or either to escape be-
sides, did not wish to incur the stern
gaze of my antagonists deadly scowl,
tossing of the hat, and some me!o-dramat-
in action for effect, 10 throw me off my
guard, or shake my nerves, as Marshall
tried in the case of Webb. Not seeing
my man, ill brought face 10 face by the
word fire, the sudden wheeling gave no
advantage 10 either, and was deemed
by all, considering the slight cause of
offence, as proper aud expedicnt One
of my seconds stepped over the ground !;
he had short legs, and | imagined that
ten PAGES had actually dwinded down
TO six. We took our stand back 10
back looked round, and found that my
nun WAS not in direct line with me,
and moved step to the right TO
bring him on level. All things were
ready - the spectators looked on silently
and anxious'y; the question was asked,
I" Gentlemen, are you ready?" We both
answered, with clear, strong voice,
" Ready" "Wheel and fire p AT the
word, | wheeled, with an action and posi-
ton which would have done no discredit
to Hamlet on seeing his fathers ghost
boh pistols off simultaneously. In Wheel.
ing, had a broad front view of my man,
before touching the trigger; looked at
him - saw him reel, and fall. | was
Iransfxed TO the spot; lost all sense of
my own danger; IAad kilied him! Yhe
blood OF the first Cain was OH nv head.
awoke 10 sense of my own condition
my knees smote together, and shuddered
with horror. There was considerable
hustle and running among the spectators,
who had crowded around the fallen man.
| walked towards him; he Law on his
back, with his eyes open, and to nv great
JOY and satisfaction, heard him say,
"l'll have another shot" He was only
wounded the ball entered below he knee,
and penetrated through the calf OF the left
leg, which was bleeding copiously.
| breahed freely; was not only I'm
injured myself bu. had not killed my
antagonist. AS he could not stand to
take another shot, the affair was consil.
cred as honoraby ended My surgeon
extracted The ball, and loaned my car
riage to the injured man, and my conduct
was pronounced superfne throughout
All doubt of my courage had vanished
friends and foes shook hands with me
the police officers, who came to see, no.
10 prevent the fight, mounted their Mugs
The carriages, chaises and buggies began
to move from the field and thus ended
The whole humbu2, as 1t really was, and
with it my first duel. | had no more
challenges after that affair; aud | pre-
sumo no one will challenge my friend, 10
order 10 test his courage, after his late I
encounter with the apostle of temperance.
Had Marshall killed Webb, | have no |
doubt he would have taken TO the bottle
again in order to drown his grief for So |
uncalled for sacrifice.
"lhus conscience makes towards of us ALL"
AS 10 dueling, am satisfied that while
1t settles no principle, it very seldom re-
dresses wrong or preserves the INJURED,
and that it rarely, if ever, involves person
al courage. Nine out Of ten who behave
we'll on the field are sustained bv moral |
apprehension ofthe worlds
opinion the soeers of the base - the |
loubts Of the welcome-lhe dislrust aud
suspicion of enemies. The practice,
were i! not for the folly, rashness, and hoi
blood in Congress, woul d fall into gener-
Al dsTepute, rs it should fall, monument
Of folly and false honor.