Weekly Trinity journal., 1859-09-24

The InIo Duel nnd iis Result.

The origin of the duel between Hon. David c.
Brodcrick and Judge Terry, when fully arrived
at reflects no great credit on the survivor OF that
bloody fray. From what we can learn at the
time of writing this, (bofore the correspondence
of the principals had been made public) it seems
that after the last Democratic State Convention,
before which Judge Terry was candidate for re-
nomination, he remarked, in Sacramento speech,
that" they (the AntiLecompton party) are the
followers of one man the personal chattels of
a single individual, whom they are ashamed Of
They belong heart, soul, body and breeohes, to
David c. Broderick. They are yet ashamed to
acknowledge their master; they are calling them
selves, aye, forsooth, Douglas Democrats" etc.
Mr. Brodcrck read these remarks at the break
fast table at the International hotel, San Fran
CISCO and remarked that his opinion once eN-
pressed, /" that Judge Terry was the only upright
man on the Supreme Bench he believed he
would have to take back. Perley former law
partner with Terry, took it up and 81 quarrel en-
sued, during which NJ. Brodcrick expressed his
regret g that tho Vigilance Committee had not
hung Terry when they had him in custody'-
Perley challenged Brodcriek, who declined 0ght-
ing him at any time, for reasons then assigned,
or any one else until election was over These
are the ostensiblo grounds upon which Terry
challenged Brodericll to NEE t him on the field
The real cause is generally believed 70 have been
political differences, which required the " taking
orr Of Mr.. Broderick. The results that faith
full and independent public servant has been Ia
ken from his post aud apart from political CON
siderations, this State must seuslbly feel his loss,
That political differences must exist, and parties
be arrayed against each other in every shade of
hostile and virulent feeling is expected, but that
such course should be resorted to for the purpose
of silencing enemies, is subject which merits
the serious consideration Of every well -wishcr to
our State, of all who hold the interests OF the
commonwealth at heart, and this view Of the sub
jcct perhaps best explains the cause of the uni
yersal roget which pcryades all classes Of COM
munity- both friends and foes OF the deceased
The course Of Mr.. Brodcrick has been manly and
frank, and as far aB we are aware he has chal-
lenged debate at every point in the state, where
he advocated his principles in the recent eau
with retort as violent as his own Had colli
sion between the rival Senators occurred IL would
have been no more than the people reasonably
expected, aud the result been better received.
T,rry's provocaton can never be considered sui-
Gcient. He refused any amoable adjustment, in
sistng rather upon the bond ofblood, leaving no
recourse to Mr. Broderitll but to fight, or subject
1 tt t 1. a.
minded and dcludcd fanatics Of this modern chiy-
airy who deem honor to consist in the scuselcss
risk of life.
OF all the relics Of past barbarism to which
the present age seems to cling with spasmodic
grasp, that Of the duel Is most revolving, and
can furnish fewest apologies. Our State has been
/ again the arena for performance of one Of those
homicdcs which periodically bring the blush Of
shame on the country and age in which we live.
Shielded by an imaginary code Of false honor, in
stitutel by the selfappointed representatives, Of
idleness, the gaming table aud political trick
stcrs, whose efforts are more strenuous to resent
an atIront than cautious to avoid deserving it,
the duelst in cold blood mmolatcs The victim Of
his wrath. Gilbert, Ferguson and Broderick
have, in the primo Of life, in the midst of IL
bright career Of uaefalaess, aud on the highway
to preiermGnt, been struck down by the remorsc-
less demon. Their principles remain the good to
be indicated by the majesty Of an insulted peo
pie aud cherished by admiring generations yet 10
come thcir evil, if such existed, lies buried with
their bones. The taking OF human life other
than legally, or under circumstances which i'm
perauvey demand it, is, or should be considered
murder, but a false doctrine OF honor and Gour-
age, derived from primitive ages, holds up the
finger Of scOrn and contempt 10 mal who has
not the moral aud greater courage TO refuse a
challenge. The time is coming when the duclist
will take his proper place, with the hlghWaymau
and murderer, and whcn honorable men will
shun him as plague spot on the face Of society.
The only point contended Tor at this day, by
the duel is the vindicatOn Of a character for
courage, for Ia no instance is the right wrong
of question claimed as the result of such muir
derOus encounter. True courage Is least proved
by it, for most men could steel themselves to
such an act II 10y single exchange Of shots q
character for courage could be established but
when we consider that an equality of chances Ia
a modern duel is entirely out OF the question, IL
becomes matter Of management and expert
trickery, instead Of trial OF courageous combat,
and the prOtesssed duelist will always have the
advantage over an inexperienced hand II would
be indeed as impossible 60 institute duel where
Dolh parties are III all respects equally matched
against each other, as to find two parties phys-
cally Identical The very point, then, Tor which
the duello 50 clamorOusly c0ntends-the estab-
lisbment Of character for courage is degenera-
ted into a mean aud cowardy device to rob a
fellow being Of his lfe-in short to murder
aud it is time that community took proper view
Of the pernicous custom, aud gave it an uuqual- |
lied aAd final rebuke.
THERE are five hundred aud eleven lodges OF /
Ode Fellows in Pennsylvania, with forty-two