New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-07
THE GREATEST DUEL ON RECORD

The Journal Of Commerce gives, without CON-
ment, charming specimen of American civiliza-
ton, entitled "The Greatest Duel on Record,
This notable affair occurred in 1928, at Natchez,
Mississippi, and, we presume, the same theory and
practice still flourish, the causes of such social
beauties being still in full flavor. "Forty or more
"gentlemen" were engaged in this duel. "COl.
"Jim Bowie" of the knife "was challenged BY a
gentleman of Alexandria" The belief in the
chivalry of the Colonel was such that only twenty
of the Alexandrian's friends accompanied him to
the ground "to zee fair play" These Louisianans
were armed" of course. Twenty armed Missis-
sippians were on the other side. These were sev
orally ranged behind the seconds and surgeons.
"Bebold the nights of Natchez thronged with
spectators, and steamer in the river rounded
.'to, its decks black with passengers, watching
with deep interest the scene" Thus, we learn
that duel, in which the cOmbatants were first to
try to dsembrain each other with pistol shots, and
these falling to disembowe each other with knives,
and such knives!-is matter of public exhibit
ton where the peculiar institution hOurshes, aud it
is equivalent in point of moral interest there to
Euang,line here at the Winter Garden and in phys
ical interest to the Circus at Niblos. Every coun-
try has its customs The greatest duel on record
was conducted in the most honorable manner. At
the first fire, both parties escaped at the second,
the Louisianian was too quick, and took advantage
of Bowie, who waited for the word. Bowie's sec
ord hereupon cried foul play" and shot the Lou
isianian dead. The second of the latter instantly
killed TIE slayer of his principal. The surgeons
hlo5a xyb; 10 lnud haiti
came on the two parties Of friends the light of CON-
bat in their eyes, In moment, the epic informs
us, the whole number were engaged in terrible
conflict; blades and bullets cleaning and whzzing.
There was horrible slaughter, but the number OF
killed is not given by our pious contemporary. We
learn, however, that Colonel Bowie fought lion
wise, and fell covered with wounds and for months
was laid up, but finally recovered.
Az the theologico-commercia Journal exercises
It's heavy talents to the utmost to extend the form
of society, of which this great duel was an out
growth; as il has reversed every cardinal principle
of Democracy from the Carpenters Hall manifesto
Of l774 to the Buffalo platform of 1e48; as it de-
elares that Congress has no right to legislate on
Slavery in the Territories, and that in all the Terri
tories of the United States Slavery Aourishes con-
stitutionaIly and as it only awaits favorable Pro
Slavery decision in the Lennon case, to establish
the fact that the master can bring his slave into the
Free States and hold him there for season--in
other words, reestablish Slavery in Sew-York-itis
well for the public to be apPrised Of the workings
of the system in every variety-how it puts CIV
iized society on level with barbarism, and effect
uaIiy extingHshes the heart and soul Of Christianity
We are aware of the force of commercial argu-
ments-of the weight Of the logic carried into Con-
necticut and Rhode IslaHd-of the business honesty
of Fernando Wood, and the political consistency Of
Caleb Cu.hipg, who were the shining expostors Of
Democracy in the recent canvass there; and we
know that The Journal Of Commerce will rejoice
when the same means are used to degrade aud
corrupt every other State, provided the money
chargers prosper. "Great is Diana Of the
&c Fnhasians ~