The Hillsborough recorder., 1857-11-04
From the Clinton Independent.
THE CODE OF HONOR.

lie IODE OC HUNUh.
The " code Of honor embraces those rules
and regulations bv which dueiists are govern
ed. When an insult is passed between two
common men, they spring together, and un-
der the excitement of the moment do each
other what physical damage they can, with
blows from their hands or feet, or with such
weapons as chance may throw into their
hands. There are no rules observed in IA
fight of this character.
When gentlemen % receive insults from
each other, one sends written challenge
borne by friend who receives the answer
from the Others friend. If The challenge is
accepted. the friends mike arrangements
for hostile meeting. Faus the bsliigerant par
ties meet, and with solemn gravity, proceeJ to
shoot each other down, according 10 such
rules as have been established by gentle
men (?l Thus il one kills the other, no
body is TO blame. for the thing was done
strictly in accordance with the " code Of hon.
or" % IL was a fair bargain, and the bra
very Of both is established.
Now the question often arises among men
OF rejecting minds. " Does such course Of
conduct meet the ends of justicef" IL it
does, let il proceed If il does not. is any
man in honor bound 10 adopt this method Of
settling difficulty
Those who contend for this method Of pro-
ceeding aver that ii is honorable, that il is
just, that it esinces bravery, and il il i just,
honorable aud brave, there can be no valid
objections to tie practice.
The whole subject might be swept from
the board by reference to the fact that the
entire proceeding is violation OF the laws
oi God and Of the country; but It answers a
better purpose 10 antlyZe the subject, and
meet each point that arises as we proceed.
To say that justice is done, is to assume
that the must guilty in tie quarrel gets the
worts end VI tie bargain. Whereas all the
world knows that the whole matter turns,
not upon which is the mpst guilty Of wrong,
has ..sl:-L -. .s...---rss 500 use or t'iu
weapons. There are men, and trac gentle.
men, whn are expert 10 the use of no weapon
whsteser, while there are many villains who
know well how to use almost any deadly
xesp'n IN use among men. Put that aud
that together and draw YOUR inference.-
Would not the better man in that case be
likely TO become the sufferer, be he ever so
innocent:
Again, If 4 charges B with falsehood, BIS
killing A is no evidence OF BIS innocence.
Nothing is gained hut that rrmorse conse-
qgent upon sober reflection over a rash anl
mar,ierous act.
Again a man without family or even repu-
taii0n may challenge a man having one or
both of tnose things. The latter would have
vastly more At stake than The former, whose
worthless life would De of little advantage u
himself or 10 the wprld.
Lastly, il requires great sin indeed u
nike il necessary 10 take mans life. II is
conceded BY al able jurists that before =
mans lie IS required Of hin, il must be
proven that be has shown in bis conduct
that he possesses the heart Of 4 murderer.
IOst nf thOse cases which come under the
regulations OF the eple uf honor .re gener-
ally from causes Of small magnitude, and
often where the wrong is more imaginary
than real. i il just then to desire 10 take
msn's life, or require him 70 risk his life,
because Of sons trivial offence;
We will now look f1r the bravery connect.
el Nth II. That there i show * bravery
u Tie ilea nf walking deliberately into tie
face VI danger vie sdtnii. bat We must also
Be Slowed 70 ak, # one " two desperate
acts 10 life will constitute man a brave
one.
Cannot auy coward DO one desperate
deed. Aud Is net the feeling carried out
under the code d hnnDr, more a feeling Ol
desperation, than Of true 1ndaunted courage
Sensitive men suffer their minds 10 dwell
upon injuries, real or imagiBary, until thirst
for revenge Is created. that prompts them ia
risk their own lives, luf : chance 10 take the
life u smother. sp5rred on br the fear u
neiuV eatlrl 4 r0FaNI fhaF ". = rn.rs. "a
action, which proves that they lear the laugh
u inconsistent men. nure than they esteem
the laws u Gsd and tlsir country.
The spirit which prnnpts n9.t men 70 en-
gage 10 . duel j. 4 compound one. viz, /
thmst for revenge. and fear of being called /
coward. Are either of these feelings, taken
singly Or together, consistent with true bra.
very lie = brave man vim can "dsr,
g. do right" whether the world Ir0wns oI
laughs az bls tanduef. True bravery !. dis
played ia defending right principle, al all
hazards. To possess ourselves - equal,
when The World laughs Of lrOwns as when i
applauls. IA euragsJ bail closes his eye.
o. rB.n upgn ~ eusmy, and a coward mas
blind himself e sense d danger IL one des.
peraie effort but true cgursge calmly survey.
The causes sn1 consequences VI tile action, and
y governed by vel ufasn conclusions.
HI BE- once darng snd desperate u no
bravery, for bravery arises IRON deep root.
81 priBcipls, established by mature refec
tiou, and n8rtateJ by generous impulses. ii
ia fled star that asl q nut. the iifmameni
The desperate sstol coward Is tie meteor,
glaze tAlt jsks our admiration mejnent4ri.