Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1846-05-02
DUELLING.

The provision in the New Const IN.
l,on, which DISTINGUISHES any citizen OF
the State who shall fight a duel with. or
chal!enge to fight duel, any other citi.
zen OF the State, must in great measure,
1t does not altogether, put an end to
'he custom OF settling private disputes by
an appeal to arms.-The INCORPORATION
INFO the organic law ofso stern penalty
against duelling, is of itself proof that
our people had become to regard the
practice as unchristian, barbarous and be-
low the standard of civilization. As an
arbltrament of right it had long been re.
PudIated and spurned by onr Northern
orethern; and even in more Southern |
temperatures its continuance was coun,
tenanced rather as preventive OF more |.
sanguinary conflicts than from any adj
mlrallon OF Its exacllons or its voiaries /,
1t had long ceased to be considered a
means OF equalzIng the parties to quar-
rel, as there was as great disparity in
the skill of men, in the use of firearms
or the sword, as there could be in their
physical strength. In ages long past, r
when every gentleman wore arms, and y
was presumed to be familiar with their '
use, the duel was a more rational and O
resort; but in this work-dav Il,
generation, when industry is cardin al ii
virtue. and man Is valued as he is capable. n
'nterprlslng and aborious, it may not be 81
'egarded in that light. In many instan- 81
eS' ana especially in regard to those dis W
'utes winch arose at festive scenes or W
lo'lday JeteS, resort to firearms was er
Or inc most part unfair to the better 81
MEMBERS oil society, whose business du. en-
es leit them little leisure to perfect them w
ewes g IN the use of deadly weapons. en-
mn the ldIetand dissipated the exercises pie
me shootlng-gallery were pleasant an
~ frequent recreation. Such persons
az as great an advantage over business be,
EN- IN meeting on the field of honor (N rel
a bully had over quiet, orderly clti- the
m IN a rencounter at fistcuffs in the liz.
lee. Inc sacrifice Of many useful fro
emoers OF society to this inequality was eau
g oi Inc great causes which excited the and
oi'c delestatlon of dueIling. 1t had to I
aSed to be respected for its chivary ant
zen 1t lost the attributes of perfect fair tenn
IS and equality, and contemplated in swe
naked barbarlty it is bood.thirsty,
age, and inhuman redress. this
L was, as before remarked, the general will
lei that duelIing prevented more dead pow
meetings upon our thoroughfares, who
ion are as dangerous to by-standers den,
% the parties engaged in them, that and
Q any support 10 this feudal custom. hush
~ Is unaeniable that many persons 'Peac
sii'"N '"d1 us suppression will en- mong
rage streetfghting, bar room broiIs, SIN al
'Olng, and public butchery. To meet from
apprehension OF this kind, which is have
9 too general to be complimentary TO have
love OF order, The Legislature will, your
'urSe, pass such laws as may be ought
Dr. to dlsturbers of the peace. The your
''O0 Vi carrying concealed weapons wish
no oouot be visited with the severest feel d
''leS' ana breaches OF the peace with deed,
rigorous retrlbutions. instru
l. laws oil this character, however harmt
oo'oI 'ne absolute and reckless, thoug
not restrain those who have wor. thus '
ed at the blood-stained shrine oGtheir
- '"eto 10 no dtonement tale |
sun but the sword, no forfeiture for persus
dignity but lite. 1t may be tha, do-tt
Po'sonS' ana they are not few, will a stud,
% 10 set1le disputes by meetings in requir
1oIIc squares or highways, without it migI
rmaltles which would bring such you co
ngs under the ban of the law against to all
ng. 1t would indeed appear that even il
ought 10 De some mode for resenting plished