The Nevada journal., 1859-09-16
THE JOURNAL
FRIDAY MORNING, Sept. 0, 1859
The Duel.

Terry. Possibly in barbarous state
Of society some sufficient provocation
might be recognized ; hut even accord
ing to the code which men who profess
20 be civilized respect as the relic of a
more savage age, if we are correct in
our opinion there is nothing between
Broderick und Terry to justify resort
to arms. The difficulty which has led
to hostile meeting is recorded in few
words. Judge Terry in the Lecompton
State Convention, used language disre-
spectful of Broderick. In return Mr.
Broderick at public table in San Fran
cisco, said in substance that he had
snce said Judge Terry was the only
pure man ON the Supreme Bench but
that he now took that all back. He is
also reported to have express ed wish
that the Vigilance Committee had hung
Terry when they had him in their
power.
Whatever language Mr. Broderick
may have used while smarting under the
remarks of Judge Terry, it is not to be
denied the first provocation came from
the latter aud without cause. Mr. Brod-
erick had always spoken of Judge Terry
only in the most complimentary terms.
The remarks of Mr.. Broderick were
made in a moment of excitement, and
provoked by Terry. They were of a
character too under the circumstances
allowing an explanation and apology,
which, we understand Mr. Broderick was
ready and willing to give. All that Mr.
Broderick asked, if report be true, was,
that Judge Terry should withdraw the
provocative remarks in convention, and
the dinner table language of Mr.. Btod-
erick would be promptly recalled. But,
as we understand the matter, no chance
for an explanation was allowed. Terry
sent a peremptory challenge-a chal-
lenge which denies an arbitrament but
by arms. Judge Terry demanded blood
and nothing but blood, to heal his woun-
ded honor. Thus we understan! it.
If we do Judge Terry injustice we shall
be glad to make inst reparatio1 for there
is no gentleman in the State for whose
integrity of character we have enter
tanned higher respect than Judge Ter
sy's.
Will any one undertake to say that
more heinous offenses than Brederick was
guilty of against Terry have not been
settled by gentlemen heretofore who
recognized the bloody code, without
resort to arms 7 Is there man so san
culinary in his instincts that left alone
with his conscience for a monitor, will
declare nothing but blood could wipe
away the offense of Broderick ? We do
not believe there is one civilized being
of ordinary judgment and unblinded by
passion or prejudice who will so pro-
nounce. We do not believe that Judge
Terry himself, bitter as are his enmities,
rash as are his impulses when aroused,
blindingas are his prejudices, will 60 to
his grave without a regret that he shot
down fellow being on SO slight provo
cation. That Judge Terry's indigna-
tiOn should be great on hearing Broder-
ick's language, reported to him it. may
be in its most aggravating aspect, is per-
Aaps natural. But a just and magnani-
nous mind after the first flush of pass.
ion is over if left to itself will take into
consideration the provocation and all
she attendant circumstances. and with
determination to do himself as we'll as
his antagonist justice. 1t is no charac-
ter of a noble spirit to demand blood
from foe who desires peace on honor
able terms. And noble as we are dis
posed to recognize some of Judge Ter
ry's traits of character to be, we cannot
now, on a more thorough view of the
causes at issue between him and Mr..
Broderick but attribute the course he
has seen fit to pursue to the goadings of
blood thirsty political and personal ene-
mics of Mr.. Broderick by whom Judge
Terry has been surrounded. The long
time that has elapsed since the remarks
of Mr.. Broderick were made, and the ex-
ceedingly small provocation contained
in them, leaves us no other opinion.
Certain it is, there is no man more devo-
ted to his friends than Judge Terry,
and had they assured him one and all
that his difficulty with Broderck ad.
mitted of a peaceable settlement, and
did not in any event call for blood. no
man with ,Tudpe Terrv's renutation for