The Placer herald., 1856-11-29

more expert with the particular weapon in a
given case, than his adversary
A charges B with speaking falsely of him,
challenges him and in the fight kills hm-is
any person wiser by that fact, in regard to
the truth or falsty of the charge! Certainly
not.
A knowing himself man of more steady
nerve and more expert with the pistol, has
been encouraged to bully society in this way,
and B lacking the moral courage to refuse a
challenge, goes upon the field and allows
this man to kill him, knowing full we'll that
in case of his death he will leave wife and
child pennyless, charge upon the charity of
society; besides An unpaid account with bis
bootmaker and washwoman. Now neither
of them are truly gentlemen, although each
staked his life to prove it.
We have no disposition to be considered a
severe moralist. With the professed dueist
we have no sympatky-as character, we
loathe him; but on the other hand, we think
person may engage as principal in duel
without being duelist. Let us lie practical.
Society has many foolish, whimsical phases
idiosyncracies, which time apparently cannot
wear out nor good sense overcome.
1t is essential to society that men should
be taught a high sense of honor. A man
impressed with chivalrc notions, properly
founded, is credit to his race 1t exalts
courage, retines softens and humanzes the
Tho trn,,Il, =. -.
ing correctly as to the tests of this quality of
gentleness.
1t must be admitted that in California So
ciety the man who comes successfully from
the field is received by the mass Of the peo-
pie, women included, with marked tokens Of
respect. lie feels himself lonized for the
act itself, rather than for any virtues he has
exhibited.
On the other hand, the refusing a chal-
lenge brings with it the loss of friends, the
scott of the dashing belle, the vulgar iibe of
the crowd, with other accompanyments
equally mortifying. These are the tests
which society tolerates, to the character of
gentleman, and he who can bear up against
society is endowed with more than ordinary
courage.
Ifavoung man is about to loose the re-
spect of society unless he will take part in
duel, why should he blamed for complying
with this requirement? No man is called
upon TO sacrifice character and his prospects
in life Unless men are taught to value rep
utation above life, society will have few lead
ers worthy of respect; and where one is
about to loose all that makes life desirable,
certainly he may risk liz, to retain it, View
ed in this light, it is simply self defence
Perhaps not more than one case out of six
that occurs presents on either such state
of facts but when it is true, the innocent
party is anything but murderer.
We have endeavored to show the impious
absurdity of the practice of duelinc, without
desiring to give our remarks any personal
application; and now we say to those fierce
retormers who purify by ostracising the un-
fortunate victim Of society; to stop the foolish
babbling of silly men aud women, and they
will hear no more of duels
MunpER.-The body of Mr.. J. Burgan was
found on Thursday last, on Shirt Tail Canon,
with a bullet hole in the head. lie had been
missing since Sunday evening, He had,
when last seen, about SO ia lis pocket and
was probably murdered for the money.-Press
We copy the above for the purpose of cor
recting the impression under which the pub
lie are laboring by reason of that and similar
reports that have spread through the State
in reference to the unfortunate occurrence
The Coroners jury found that the death was
accidental The truth is that Mr. Burgan
slipped over precipce, WAS precipitated
head foremost upon some rock, fracturing
the skull, and breaking his neck at the same
time. The $40 was found in his pocket and
the body does not appear to have been dis
turbed since the fall Mr. b. was formerly
from Stockton, where he has brother and
some property.
LII. &C