The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-01-06
From the Pioneer.
George ID. Prentice on Duelling.

George D.Prenticc, Esq, the we'll known ed
itor of the Louisville Journal, has been in Lit
| tie Rock, Arkansas, for some time past, labor
ing to secure the undertaking of railroad en-
terprse in which his own city has a direct in
terest. In prosecuting the object of his visit he
took occasion to express his views through one
of the newspapers in Little Rock In the
course of his communication he reflected with
some severity upon views which had been
publicly expressed by Col. Hewson of that
place. This "drew note'' from Colonel Kew
son, demanding an unqualified retracton of
the offensive declarations. Mr.. Prentice re-
piled courtcously, stating, in substance, that
he had no design of assailing the private con-
duct and character of Col Hewson, that he
knew nothing of him except from his published
writings, and what he had said was predicated
wholly upon these, and that if his language
seemed to bear a different construction, he
(Prentice,) disclaimed it as unworthy of him
self and, so far as he knew, unjust to Col. H.
But this disclaimer did not satisfy the latter
gentleman, and he penned second note to
Mr.. p. informing him that nothing but direct
and unconditional withdrawal of the personal
tiles would be accepted by him. To this note
Mr. Prentice replied at length. We quote
portion of his reply:
Presuming that your notes are written to me
with a view to duel, may as well say here.
| that have not the least thought of accepting
a challenge from you. | consider my stric
lures upon your writings entirely legitimate
and, at any rate, the disclaimer that l have
made ought to satisfy you.
l came here from a distant State because
many believed could do something to pro-
mote great and important enterprise, and, as
l have no reason to think my labOrs are alto
gether in vain, do not intend to let myself
be diverted from them. There are some per-
sons: and perhaps many. to whom my life is
valuable, and, however little or much value l
may attach to it on my own account, do not
see fit at present to put up voluntarily against
yours.
am no believer in the dueling code. l
would not call a man to the field unless he had
done Inc such deadly wrong that desired to
kill him, and would not obey bis call to the
field unless had done him so mortal an injury
as to entitle him, in my opinion, to demand an
opportunity of taking my life. have not the
least desire to kill you or to harm a hair on
your head, and am not conscious of having
done anything to entitlc you to kill ME. l do
MOI WdHI your DlOOu upon my nduUS, anu L 40
not want my own upon anybOdy's. 1 might
yield much to the demands ola strong public
sentiment, but there is no public sentiment,nor
even any disinterestcd individual sentiment,
that either requires me to meet you or that
would justify me in doing SO.
1 look upon the miserable code that is said
to require two men to go out and shoot at each
other for what one of them may consider VIC
laton of etiquette or punctilio in the use of
| language with a scOrn equal to that which is
getting to be felt for it by the whole civilized
world of mankind. I am not afraid to express
such views in the enlightened capital of Ar
kansas or any where clse l am not so cow
arlly as to stand in dread ofany imputation on
my courage. have always had courage, enough
to defend my honor and myself, and presume
l always shall have.
Your obedent servant.
GEORGE ID. PRENTICE.
n RI1rp HEIyS0N Esq