Polynesian., 1844-06-29
s f l. E G. II D .
DUELLING.

ing snould exist IN any community. AS
relic of the past, it should have ceased
with the close of those ages in which it orig
mated. The laws Of God and man alike
condemn it:-opposed to reason, and re-
pugnant to humanity, it puts the offender
in opposition to the emphatic declaration Of
Divinity is mine, l will re-
pay" .t.
The cases that have occurred in our town,
within the year past, have been confined to
youth, and the results not fatal. The ripen-
ed judgment Of manhood, even when princi-
pie is not opposed, is slow to seek redress
for real or fancied wrong, in the blood Of
fellow man, especially where laws exist to
give equity alike to all. The impetuous
blood of youth delights in exposing itself to
danger, for causes often frivolous in the ex-
tremc, and the results upon person or char
acter are, amid temporary excitement, shrou-
dcd from view by the d~eceitful eclat with
which a false public opinion, too often in
vests the duel. Still, while the temptation
thus to terminate grievances continues, and
cases arise of a nature so aggravated that,
law cannot give redress, and human nature
retains its hot flow of angry blood, we des-
pair of its becoming altogether obsolete. 1t
has lost, however, much of its sway over CT
villains, and there are not a few now, who
possess the higher courage that dares pro-
claim itself fearful to offend against the in
junction, "thou shalt not kill" We believe
it to be lessening, even among military men.
Where it does exist, governments, though
unable efectually to extinguish it, endeavor
to lessen its frequency, and regulate it by
appropriate laws; and it admits of argu-
ment, whether the practice in certain condi-
tons of life, is not conducive to good order
and the preservation of harmony. Men be-
come more guarded in their conversation
and manners, when it is known that a failure
in respect due from one gentleman to another,
or an attack on a weaker or defenceless
party, subjects the offender to the risks
of mortal combat. 1t has been aptly termed
ga good police regulation" and the result
OF It's judlcious exercise in producing high
toiiSo - 'toDSCh oito . olIAilS tHC ulluuGa
license of conversation which is so common
among certain classes of civilians, may be
beneficial, in the main, to society but, as
in many other cases Of human affairs, it is
merely the substitution ofone evil for another,
the choice being the least. The following
is from a late paper,--
"CoURTs OF HoNoR.-An ordinance has
been issued by the King of Prussia for tho
establishment of Courts Of Honor, for the
prevention of duelling and for the adjustment
of such questions between officers or other
gentlemen as have been considered as COM
ing under the cognizance of the code of Hon
or. BY the laws of Prussia, killing in a duel
is regarded as murder and punishable with
death. Quite recently in the case of q duel
at Cologne, between a Lieut.. Won Pclzer,
and a Mr.. Helm, the latter being killed, Won
Pelzer was tried and sentenced to suffer
death, and his second, who was a Lieutenant
in the same regiment, was condemned to hard
labor in a fortress for ten years. The second
of Helm had not been discovered. The sem
tence against Won Pelzer had not been exc
cuted at the last accounts, and it was conf
IDENTIFY expected that the King would commute
it. A letter from Berlin, published in a Lon
don journal, gives the following account Of
the principles on which these Courts are
based:-
"The ordonnance on this matter is dated,
says the letter, July 90, and contains 81 arti-
cles, from which it appears that courts Of
Honor are to be permanent in all garrisons,
the members being named by the King. All