The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-10

~ JOHN ADAMS

o. Private Revenge.
N JOHN ADAMS.
A~yssU. tae.~ds.. i~. 1y sa ass,; .,.
R.buks tho .psamsa, and the troops
Of bulls thai msht %. ,,,
To the raInrERs.' Ii seems to be necessary for me
Notwithstanding the declaration 10 my las( once more
10 dixess from The road Of agriculture and the mechanic
ars and 10 enter the list Of dspu,aton with brace
Of writers in the Evening Post. one OF whom mas ;h
scribed himselt K. and the other W. shall ag'ee
The nrs Of these gentlemen that 10 pieaSph a. extra
ordinary a. 10 employs bas,e IN supper. 81 If Liberty
Of speech or the press or an nquson y,
OF conscience; but if he will leave ms own lse I
md rscur N vhat have written. he will not ma syl-
liable against resistance. Resistance 70 sauu'n v nh
for the preservation not only OF ny p.IJ, ap,
and hfe but my property, an iIi'spuaoe Ignt OF ma
,mrs which never surrender TO the public by the CON-
usct Of society and which. perhaps could not surTen-
~. ~ Enslsnd dor which Mr. X supposes have so
great fondness) inconsistent with that right On the
Contrary, the dosmas OF Plato. the maxms OF the law
and the precepts oil Christianity, are precisely conciden
in relation 10 his subject.
Plato taught tina, revenge was unlawful, although he
allowed Of sedsisnce The Divine Author OF our re-
lgion has taught that trivial provocaiions to te
overlooked and that il man should offer you an in.
suit By boxing one year, rather Than indulge funous
passion and return blow for blow you ought even 70 turn
the other also This expression, however, though II In
culcates strongly the duty OF moderation and sell gov
eminent upon sudden provoca,ions imports nothing
o14n0t inc nkOt OF RESONANCE or Oh beiiueltHct
sense Of it SCENE to be no more than this that little in
iuries and insults ought be borne patiently Tor the
emit rather than run the risk OF violent consequences by
Now. the common law seems to me to be founded on
the same grea. principle of philosophy and religion !.
will allow OF nothing as Justification OF blows put
blows; will justfy furious beating bruising, and
woundng, upon the provocaon Of ihp OF the finger,
or kick upon the shns; but, il | am assaulted, can
q0 o o%n
Solutey necessary for my preservation may parry or
ward OF any blow; Blu, blow received is sufhcien,
provOcation for fifty times blow in return.
When life which Is one Of the three favori,es Of the
law, comes into consideration, we find wise and hu-
name provision is made for its preservation: II | am
assaulted by another. sword in hand and if am even
certain of bis intention to murder me. the common law
will not suffer TO defend myself BY killing him. if
can svod it. Nay my behavior must absolutely oe wat
W. though would be thought the truest bravery, not only
by the greatest philosophers and legislators, but by the
best generals OF the world must away from such
an asssilan and avoid him if have room rather than
stand my ground and defend myself; but if have no
room to escape or run and am pursued to the wall
NO other way 10 preserve my own life from his violence
but by taking his there, have ndspu,able right 10 do
it, and should be justified in wadng through the blood OF
. whole army. if had power to shed it, and had no
other way 10 make my escape
What is said BY Mr.. W., that, "f gentleman shduld
be hurried by his passion far take the life OF
another, the common law will not judge it murder or
granddaughter, but unsuitable homicide only"-by which
be must mean ut, in truth, he had any meaning at alb
H3l kLHS upon euOuen PrOVOCdUOn uOUl-
elde-is position IN comparison OF which the observa
tons OF the digger upon the death OF the yong lady
in Shakspeares Hamlet ought to ranked among the
Every catechumen in law-nay, every common man,
and even every porter upon the dock ha, ever attended
trial Tor murdsrxDows that sudden provocalon rails
Ing violent PASSION, where there precedent NAL
ics. 10, IN consideration OF human failty allowed 10
soften killing from murder down TO manslaugh,er; but
manslaughser 10 henous crime, and subject TO heavy
Such ia the wisdom and humanity of English law
upon 20 thorough knowledge OF human nature is ii
{oupded and well calculated preserve the lives
md limbs OF men, and the interior tranquility OF soce-
hes shsll not dispute with Mr.. my affection for
this law in preference to all other systems OF law that
have ever appeared in the world have connexion
with panshl0ners, nor patients clients any de-
psn0enee upon either for business bread study law
- do divinity and physic and all OF them do hus
bandTy and mechanic arts the motions and revolutions
OF the heavenly bodies; as do magsnacy and legis
lahon-nsmely a. means and instruments OF human hap
piness IL has been my for many years past,
- far have had leisure, examine systems OF
all the Legislators, ancient and modern, fanascal and
real. and 10 trace their effects in history upon the felicity
OF mankind and the result Of this long examination is
settled opinion that The liberty, the unaenabie, indie
feasible rights OF men, the honor and dignity OF human
nature. the grandeur and glory OF the public and the uni
versal happiness OF individuals, were never skuy
and successfully consulted in that most excellent
umeat OF human art the common law OF Engand-a law
that maintains great superiority, not only TO every Other
system OF laws martial civil and military, but
even 70 majesty itself has never jealousy CT
the canon law, which in many couniries-Span in par
uculaf-has subjected all officers and orders. civil and
military 10 the svance and ambion. the caprice and
cruelty, OF clergy and is not less watchful the
marua law, which IN many cases and many countries
france IN pariiculas able 10 from the JUS
ucs Of the MUNICIPAL laws of the Kingdom; and | will
own that 10 revive in the minds OF my country rev
treDcs Tor This law, and 10 prevent the growth OF sent
ments that seemed 10 be in the. tendency desruc
tive Of ssiecally 10 revive the eaousyof martial laws
and savaefli like t.mpers-was the turn which designed
10 serve for myself and my friends in thai piece winch
has given onthce 10 X. and w.
certain set OF sentiments have been lately so fash
ionable that you could 90 into few companies without
heanng ouch smart say iDgs these eli a should
insult me BY kicking shins, and had sword by my
side. would make the shine through him'-'tll any
man, let him be az big GoIab, should take by tn.
nose. would let hrs bowels out with my sword, If had
one, and II had none would beat his brains out with
the hrst club could find" And such iempers have been
animated by some inadveent expressions thai have
fallen from persons OF higher rank and better sentiments
Some OF these have been heard 10 say that, "shoald
man offer sudden insult 10 Them they could not answer
Tor themselves, but they should lay him PROSTATE al
their feet in bis blood" Such expressions as these
which are TO be supposed but modest expressions of the
speakers difhdence Of bis presence OF mind and
government OF his passions when suddenly assaulted
have been taken Tor justification OF such
insult and determination 10 practise them upon
SION. But such persons watching the lips of
Others Tor wse speeches, 10 ter them afterwards
a. their own sentiments have generally little Of
dersandng as they have OF spt, aud most miserably
spoil, IN reporting, good reflection Now. what have
wiuen upon tbs subject intended TO show the
lnhumani'y OF taking away the life OF a man only for
m mae -.