Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-09-14
The Duel Mania.

so busy as when the friends Of christianity /;
are most active 9hd energetic. We have al '
ready in asomewhat lengthy aAicldI express
ed our views of the crime of duelling, but the
importance of the subject, win, we hope, be
a sufficient apology for additional reflections
upon that great enormity. {
Some years ago the dueling mania arose
to a great height in this country. The field
of blood became the common arena for the
settlement of the most minor differences
Even the school boys bristled up at every
boyish insult, and if at any time they were
about to be s%upplanted in the objects of their
puppy love-" would talk of ''pistols" and
ssten paces,'' on the field of honor. TIL evil
became a sore and an alarming one, and the
pulpit, and the bench, and the loud-mouthed
press, Numbered their anathemas against 1T.
Public opinion, which once in a while puts
on its ssober second thought" laid its ban
upon the wicked, murderous practice, and
men and boys began to breathe more freely.
The social atmosphere was purified by the
storm that ragged, and people began to feel and
speak out in condemnation of the brutal and
barbarous vice.
1t were well for the country if the demon
like mania had been buried beyond the power
of a resurrection. But it seems, that recent
events indicate a return of it, under circum-
stances by no means calculated to make the
public mind think more %favorably, either
of the vice or of those who participate in it.
Under such circumstances, the duty of the
press is clear and unmistakable. A crime sc
hostile to social being, to the law of God Oh
man, cannot be allowed to run riot with i'm
punity. And to us, it is not a little crafty
ing that a portion of the public press, has s.
promptly rebuked the offence, and given ven
to the most unqualified condemnation of tn
r0SS -ssrVsoo, s"z0 dsTsa OEavv1aUS
have already appeared, having the ring of tn
right metal. The question has been examiI
ed in all its bearings, and we have only
word or two, in addition to what we hay
heretofore said. May we not hope that tn
timely warning thus given, will concentrat
and array public opinion so directly againl
it, as to drive it from our land.
But, we have not one word of bitterness
abuse, or even uncharitable suspicion,
throw out against any individual who hi
been or may be so unfortunate as to be Il
into the crime. We feel the deepest pity f
any one who feels obliged to seek or to off
satisfaction by the duel. They are delud
as other men are, into the practice of 9th
vices. They are slaves to appetite, to passio
to mistaken views of what is right, or dut
or honor and while we condemn the Grim
and believe it should be punished, to mainta
the honor of the law and to protect the pea
and rights of society, yet the misguided d
elist has our sympathy.
There is one view of the subject, howeyc
which we have not seen adverted to. a
which we mention chiefly with the view
inducing those who have the time and means
investigating it, to examine into the facts
the case. In former times, it is possible. I'll
those who felt themselves obliged by t
temper of public opinion to engage in t
duel, at least some of them, not only erhi
ted courage on the field, but were really cot
ageous men yet we do not admit that a
sort to the duel, was ever a sure test of Il
courage. In many instances they had wi
: in modern days, is called pIuck; but plucl
manufactured, while true courage is inbo
A little insight into the history of mod,
dueling we think, will show, that it is k
g alive by pluck or a bastard courage, and al
: all, is more aJarce than any thing else. j
: look at the facts. About one duel in ev,
twenty or thirty, proves fatal to one par
e while not one in a hundred proves fatal
4 both. Now it would seem that it does
require much courage, or even pluck, to st
e up to an antagonist, when the risk is so SIN
u The chances to be killed or to kill one of
/ parties, is only as one is to twenty or thin
: and for both to be killed, it is only as on,
, to one hundred. The risk is not greater. Il
n if the contest were a fsticuff or a parry v
e walking canes. So far as we can see, on
as honorable as the other. Indeed. the o.
, nary way of settling difficulties by a hanc
I'd hand ~scufie, is far more honorable. beca
s men enter upon it with no intention to
s whereas duelling has this strong elemen
I'd murder in the first degree. And who {
as not feel that the murderer, except clearl,
ne selfdefence, is a dishonored man /? W
er gives to the duelist more honor or respe
lr bility, than ordinary murderers, except i
TO committed upon one by stealth or when
ur guarded? For aught we can see, il is @
or as justiiable and as honorable for men
'e- are at variance, to rush upon each other
o! imbrue their hands in each others bloc
Nor is the one a better test of COURAGE
~ the other. Indeed, there is far more con
needed, in the hand to hand contest.
ms cad therefore, that the duello is a tes