The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-07-23
Death or DR.. II. h! Crane...T hoig ats
ON Duelling.
SAN FRAuc,sco Iuna 70

SAN FRAxcIsco, June l2.
MEssRs. EDIToRs:-The affecting intelli-
gence of the death of young Crane, mortality
wounded in duel on Saturday morning last
pervades the city to-day. He died at the Or
iental Hotel in the full vigor of manhood;
in the midst of agofies which human lips
cannot. depict, his spirit passed into that bet
ter country ''where the wicked cease from
troubling and the weary are at rest" A
gloom like a funeral pail hung over the house
where he died; the whispered conversation.
the depreciating gesture, and the regretful
tear, were tokens Ut the bitter ltone of feel
ing which the death of young Crane revived
in many hearts.
His death, so rapidly following the publica-
ton of the excellent article upon the subject
of duelling in the Alta of this morning, pro-
duced some thoughts in my mind which de-
termlned to confide to you; and, meantime
you are at liberty to make such disposition of
them a. you think expedient.
Ihave thought to-day that the death of this
young man will have a salutary effect-that it
will 60 far to revive such u safe of public
sentiment on the subject OF dueling as you
desire
Let me not invade the. sacred rights of
the man who was the antagonist of Crane;
but, remembering that am human and full
of error, let me regard this antagonist as an
upright man. d faithful friend, who, in a mo-
ment of frenzy, forgot his better nature and
became the victim of an error-pOpular, it
may be true-but none the less gross and ter
ribfe error, unworthy of Christianity or civil
Zation.'
Eet me attack the error which is in the
hearts of the people,; let mo say it is false
that man is coward because he has re-
fused to take away the life of his fellow man;
tits false thathe is less worthy of the esteem
and confidence Of the great community of
men which has settled upon the. shores Of the
Pacific; it is false that he is less manly, less
honorable, less just, or less an object of the
love and protection Of his Creator.
am tempted to quote the words of the no.
ly writ, that vengeance is mine,' saith the
Lord" and to discuss those words. But
" i'll treat the subject with arguments which
will commend themselves to the understand
ing and the belief of every intelligent man.
will inquire which is more tolerable: the
remorse of the man who has inflicted deadly
vengeance upon his aggressor, or the shame
which suffuses the cheek of the man of
peace when he is pointed at as a man who
refused to wash out an insult in the blood of
the insulter! Which is the most tolerable!
Let the men who have imbrubed their hands
in the hearts blood Of their fellow men an
swer. Let the premature age, the sunken
eye, the hollow check, and the remorseful
soul Of the successful duelist answer. Let
him, who Is approaching the: portals of eter-
nifty, tell me how he will meet the spirit of
his victim in eternity.
Who shall estimate the cost Of human lifei
Who shall estimate the cost of human reputa.
ton! God gave us one and men created
standard for the other. The standard of
re putation is rule of human origin, but hu-
man life was bequeathed by the Omnipotent.
Let it not therefore be taken away for light
rxal st ths ag yd hasfff for %65iscbb
money, nor tears nor prayer, nor eternal des.
pair cannot atone. God has set his seal upon
its value, and the man who takes it must fer
feitthe equivalent; he must cancel the awful
responsibility which he has thus incurred
and the memorable judgement of Heaven
will enforce the obligation.
Tomorrow this young man who was so
lately well-so lately in the full plentitude of
life-to-morrow he will be borne to his long
home, and the mourners will go about the
streets. His is an honorable corpse-let it
have an honorable burial. This young man
in life scrupulously regarded the "Code Of
Honor" He was honorable according to it's
intent and meaning, and he has sealed his de-
vOtion to the Code with his hearts blood
His honor is appeased.
cater LIES ntful fever he sleeps we'll"