The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-07-07
..rhs battle Of Feols.s

euriu8e. ~ -
Our city has been enlivened the past week
! by an event of novel, If not very entertaining
character. This is nothing less than u duel be-
tween two young men about town, 1t was pro-
voked by very slight otfense---a few angry
words spoken at club But trifle was sufti-
cient to infiame these cholerc spirits, The in
dignity must be washed out in blood. Perhaps
they were ambitious OF notoriety, and despair
ed of obtaining itin any other way-for nobody
7 ever heard OF them before, Or perchance they
thought-the modest men that their names
stood so bright and fair, that they were sulled
| by breath. And so these carpet knights re-
| solved that their cause should be decided upon
| the field Of honor. sa -
| Now it is we'll known that in these parts, a
slight impeachment exists tosuch de monstrations
OF valor.s The law-cold and uuteelng-does
not appreciate the delicate sensibilty of men
OF honor. 1t makes no distinction between diff
ferent classes of pugilsts. 1t matters not wheth-
er men meet to pOmmel each ether with fists,
or genteelly to shoot each other with pistols
The champions of the Code of Honor are liable
to be arrested. like prize-fghters in ihe ring
Messrs. Breckenridge and Leavcnworth-for
such were the names OF our herocs-were ex,
posed to the fate OF Morrissey and Yankee Sui
Ivan. This would be a sad descent for such
high flying Hidalgos-to feel the heavy hand
OF officers laid upon their shoulders, and to be
| "esiCuCO ~ tuC 1OuUS. utu lOCkcu I'D WllQ 6a-
ker and Turner. A gloomy, cold stone cell
would be apt to cool their ardent passion for re-
venge. 80 ~. ae9s IL.
Accordingly they prepared to leave the city.
The arrangements were made with the greatest
secresy. Seconds were chosen, and surgeon
provided. and on Monday all started up the
hudson. One would think they must be charm
ed out of their fell design by the peaceful beau
ty of nature and the gladness OF spring. But
IN ,nrfl l.
the far-fiashing waters of the glorious river
could beguile them of their bloody intent
Turning westward. they travelled on hundreds
OF miles, past smiling villages and happy homes
still carrying murder in their hearts. '
Ihey arrived at Niagara. There, at least
they must have felt their petty rage rebuked
by the grandeur of nature--thc recriminations
of wounded vanity must be hushed to stiffness
and awe by the roar Of the cataract. But no;
within that sound of many waters, which lifts
up an eternal anthem to God, they were thirs-
ting for each others lile They crossed the rv.
er to Canada-whether from feeling of shame
and desire that the soil of their country should
not be stained with their blood, or from pru-
dent fear of officers Of justice. we are not in
formed. In the shade of neighboring wood
they found sequestered spot. and the seconds
measured off the distance of ten PAGES, and
placed the deadly weapons in their hands. AT
the word both fired, aiming downward accord
ing to the approved practice of duelists. AS
might be expected, from their standlng so close
to each other, both were wounded. Leayen-
worth was shot in the leg and ell bleedillg.---
Breckenridge received ball in the calf of the
| leg, but was not wholly disabled A natural
shudder came over him, as he saw his adversa-
ry stretched on the ground, and be stopped to
ask if he was killed. He was horror struck at
the idea that his antag onist might be dead,
though he had tried his best to kill him. But
finding that the wound was not mortal, the vic
tor llmped away, and crossed the river and
took the first train to this city. Here he re-
manned but for few hours. as he was not safe
from arrest, and soon left for parts unknown
Leavenworth was taken to the Clifton House.
and telegraphic dispatch informed his pa
rents OF his dangerous condition. and brought
them swiftly to his bedside.
| Thus ends this tragic foolery. We presume
the honor of both parties is completely vindi-
Gated. Henceforth let no man dare to impeach
it. What though both be MANNED for life p
These wounds are honorable scarcs. and any
mutilatlon or Disagreement is amply compen-
stated 10y the distinction achieved What
though one of the ,combatants should never be
able to stand erect or to walk straight again,
but be forced to wrigglc in his gait or to hob
BILE on cruches-will not the crippled hero give
evidence in his person of his valor in the field !?
does not he, too. bear signs of glory in his per-
torated calf? The age of chivalry is not gone
There are Don QuiXotes still alive, and NAV
be found even in this city of trade and com
mence
But to sl'eak seriously Can greater farce
be imagined? Truly, ~s -
ssMen play such tricks before high Heaven, 81"
AS make the angels weap'''
At this late day can anybody but a fool
| think 1T a nrO0f of honor 10 6~b L..
mans character changed by an explosion of
gunpoWder! 1.-The was liar before does it make
him an honest man. These combats are gen
orally between men of very doubtful reputa-
tain, sporting characters, gamblers and broken
winded politicians And does it restore them
to decency? Is a gambler any more respec-
table when he has added to his other crimes
that OF murder! Can the base and black heart OF
a Villain be washed away by another mans
blood? Can profigate make the smoke of
pistol cover up his blotched character? As
we'll might he think that it would d i've away
the foul diseases by which he is rottng to
death. 'S%*'af
Butt say the advocates of dueling-it proves
at least mans courage. Begging their par
don, it proves no such thing. 1t may be the
refuge of abject cowardice Tie vcriest pol-
troon may be kicked into a duel. He fights be-
cause he fears his courage will be doubted
He thinks it better to run the risk of shot.
| than to be exposed to the sneers and taunts of
his comrades. He goes into it against his own
better judgment, simply because he hasn the
moral courage to face the world. True brave
ry is not so sensitive and fearful Of su. picion
1t is not prompt to take offence but calmly re-
serves its strength for foe worthy of it's steel.
1t is the ours that snap and snari. The proud
mastIif does not move a muscle, while the pack
of little dogs yelp around him. How much
more brave and manly to treat an insult with
dlsdaTn, with scorn and contempt, than at once
to hluster and threaten! But there is another
light in which this affair may be regarded-.its
effect upon the happiness ofothers. Ii two men
who have neither kindred nor friends. choose
to mect and blow out each4other's brains, tie
world have small cause to deplore the loss Of
such IDIOTS a But unfortunately a man cannot
commit murder, or saicide,' without touching
others than himself There are brothers and
sisters whom his act of folly will cause to weep
In the present case both parties belonged to
lhighly respectable families The father and
mother Of one are now watching by Lis couch
of pain. The other is the son of a Presbyte-
rian clergyman Could anything be more
heartless, selfish. and cruel. than for young
men, thus loved, to risk their lives. to resentan
0ffense TO their petty, miserable pride, know
ing as they did that in a few hours their bodies
might be carried back to their wretched homes,
and their families be plunged in unntterable
anguish! Talk OF the honor of such men -
They ought rather to be exposed in the pillory
| OF public contempt. II we would not that such
CHI In akn1 tnI