Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-08-27
DUEL NC.

Notwithstanding oil that has been said
n d written OH the evils of duelling, the
hofrid practice is still kept up in certain
portions of our country, SO that scarcely
week passes by, which does not furnish
the details Of more or less Of these falsel,
termed affairs OF honor AS we'll nigh,
any other description of murder be ca led
an affair OF honor, as duellng when il re-
suits laIally. The parties array themselves
against each other with the fixed deierrni-
mutton, formed after deliberate reflection.
TO take life, If they can. If the intent
constitutes the crime,, rnu der has already
boon committed, though both The PRINCIPALS
escape unwounded The only apology that
can be offered in Justification Of this offence
against the laws of Coo and man is, that
the usages Of society in certain localities
sanction this method Of settling quarrcs
and healing wounded honor. But what
right has society TO authorize the taking OF
lilo with irnpunity? None whatever;-
and though it may be powerful to screen
the offender from human justice, il is pow
erless TO etiace the aims of his guilt or to
hide HIM from the impending wrata of The
Infinite. If the result OF duels were any
true test of the merits Of the quarrel, and
the offending party were sure to fare the
worst, they would not be so Objectionable
as they now are. But Providence seldom
interteres in these matters 10 vindicate the
claims Of justice. Both nre liable to fall
and one just as li,ble 10 fall as the other
A praceabe. unoftnding citizen, may be
insulted and abused by somo depraved
wretch in n genteman's garb, and then be
challenged TO fight, and if he is foolish
enough to accept the challenge, he may
get the satisfaction OF having buIle
driven through his body, or Of baing cut
10 pieces with bowie knife. THIS is
fair sample of the equity Of The system
picture of its morality would be skill more
odious. In view Of this dread evil, where
shall we look for remedye Not in penal
cnactmonts only, for where the customs OF
society tacitly approve Of such things, the
law would be powerless. Our national
Government could act in the premises, and
do much towards putting an end to this
murderous practice, if its law making de
Partment had the courage to be consistent,
and It's executive officers the firmness 10
enforce the laws. IL having been a prin-
ciPai or an accessory in duel were a bar
TO holding any Office under the Govern
ment, il would operate as a powerful check
to The excitabe temperaments of rash, but
ambitious mem That there is gross lack
OF consistency in our .ation Il laws and re-
gulaiions on this subject, may lie seen in
the fact, that officers Of the navy and army
are liable to expulsion, tor lighting ducls,
while members of Congress, and of the
Executive Cabinet, may fight under the
very walls of The capitol and escape with
only slight censure. But it j, OF no Use
TO wait for the action OF Government, or
the tardy oper .tions of penal enacimehis;
there is another method which perhaps
may be quite as efficient IN the end. Let
all who disapprove Of duclIing, manifest
their d'srpprobation in every proper way.
Let them not be deceived to the exercise
of a false pity, dy the speciousness o. the ;;
plea that the usages Of the people where
The parties reside Justify the proceeding.
Let the deliberate taking Of human life I'M
sanctioned by law, receive its appropriate
title. Let it be called MURDER, and the
man whose hands are imbrued in the blood
of his fellow, a MURDERER!
Such, We have every reason 10 believe,
arc their record in tho high court of lIoa-
ven. --Olipe Branrh