The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-11-16
MIS- C E L L A N Y .
MY FIRST DU Ell.
ny M, M. NOAH.

old friend, Colonel Weooi "ho' i0"'
had arrived at his residence in Waverly
Place, from his late excursion to Brandy
wine. He looked we'll, quite well-hlS
whiskers were as large and fierce as ever
with here and there few supernumerary
white hairs, and his spirits, ii anything
were more buoyant and elastic, as IT ht
had accomplished certain specific anc
desirable object by the issue OF the recen
meeting. Over the elbow of his capa
cious armchair reposed pair of slgnlti
cant crutches. l thought of Sir John
Falstaff-
"There is honor for you."
We talked over the adventure in detail
with congratulations that it was not the
worst in its results, as it certainI y nigh
have been, the apostle oftemperance and
the Colonel had both been the crack Shots
thew were said to be in The shooting gal
leres. DaeIing at the present day has
fallen into dsrepule; it never did settle
any point OF honor, and sensible men dis
card it as incompatible with the spirit oil
the age; yet, peculiar circumstances, as
in the case of Webb and Marshall, drive
men 10 such hostile meetings, and it would
be fortunate to all parties concerned, ifLhe
issue were equally favorable. 1t is much
more agreeable TO snake man firmly by
the hand, than to attend his funeral and
as to pos,humous praises Of courage, cool
ness, and gallanlry, SC, to such affairs,
what are they wo:h2 Who boasts of
such honors? AS Shakespeare says,
Gle that died last Wednesday,"
II is suid that the apostle OF temperance
is not satisfied with the results oft the duel ;
he thinks that Webb ought to have been
killed, and he is DESTROYS ofhaving anoh.
er shot at him. If Mr.. Marshall is so
fond of fighting, he can place himself at
the head of the Afghanistans, in The Ca
boal country, or serve as aid to Ching
Ling Cheesin, of Pekin, and he will have
fighting enough for the appetite Of any
moderate man but Col. Webb ought to
be permitted GREATER 10 eat his woodcock
and toast in peace though wounded, he
enjoys the best position of the two, and he
should not part with it to jeopardize ii by
another meeting. AS Hoye would say,
/" He has all the honors, but has lost the
odd trick" Talking of dueling, have
always been satisfied that it is moral and
not physical courage which is the active
agent in such matters, and sustains man
in such trying positions, and this was
made manifest, and strong y impressed on
my mind at ny first duel. When very
young man, and in high party times, /
found myself taking the lead in the Dem-
ocratic ranks in Charleston, South Caro-
lima. Impressed with the belief that a
difference of political opinions warml Y ex-
pressed and firmly carried out did not
necessarily impair that good personal feel
ing aud intercourse which should exist
between citizen and citizen, was in
hopes to make converts and put down OPP
ronents in the most pacific manner; but
soon discovered my error, and was given
distinctly to understand, that he who ven-
lures to bring about importan! political
revolutions in that section OF the Union,
mnst be prepared to fight his way in The
word-he who is ambitious 10 become
political leader must exhibit something
more substantial than mere oratory.
He who would Influence and Control
party, must sustain his doctrines by meet
ing his opponents in the way that gentle
men settle such differences; he must un-
derstand and be understood. This, |
presume was what was called Southern
chivary; it was all new and most ex-
traordinary to me, who came from a pa
ciic quarter of the Union, and felt no dis
position at all to carry my political plans
and objects into operation at the mouth of
The pistol But so it was. Being in
Rome, had TO do what Rome did So,
having offended young sprig of FEEDER.
alism, by venturing respectfully TO differ
with him in relation to the war with Eng
land, he gave me notice that he should
call me out. | felt no apprehension on
he subject, convinced that explanations
could readily be made, which would not
fail TO prove entire y satisfactory TO reas.
enable men. So proceeded to the City
Library, and while enjoying very
agreeable book, in cool and sequestered
part OF The ample saloon, handsome
young gentleman, of engaging appear
uuSC uuhlOeo, " WCJ anu al
ter two or three formal, yet graceful bows,
placed in my hand neatly folded note,
written on veIlum paper. The note in
troduced me to Major Hamilton, since
General Hamilton, and Governor of the
State, by the gentleman had most unfor-
tunately offended by differing with him at
the public meeting, and informed me at
the same time that Major Hamilton would
make the necessary arrangements for the
meeting, &c, Ga reading the note, l |
made several profound bows to the gen
tleman, finding that this Was business OF
very serious Importance. We took our
seats near each other, talked ofthe wealth
er, OF war, palmetto forts, rice-birds, cot
ton crops, and several agreeable subjects,
for was very happy TO make his &C.