The hydraulic press., 1860-06-23
Honor--The Late Duel.


There is no word in the English language
having greater latitude Of meaning than
that of honor. photographers give it such
variety of definitions, that one is unable to
decide which is exactly the true one. la
such a conjnncture, most men construe it for
themselves. Some there are, who think
nothing of refusing the payment of an hon.
est debt-of cheating at game of cards, or
on occasion, manifesting the basest of in
gratitude-who would feel their honor in
suited to be told OF it, aud draw trigger or
make thrust with bowie-knife, to preserve
the consistency of their positionl In Cali
fornia, particularly, liberal Interpretation
is used, sufficiently comprehensive to enable
hummer, tatterdemalion and gentleman, to
become bed-fellows and exercise identical
social rights and political immunities.
But discarding generalties, we desire to
say a few words concerning the morale OF the
recent duel. The principals who were con-
cerned in it, are both gentlemen who have
possessed the confidence of their fellow -citi-
Gems, and been chosen to offices of trust and
of life, their word might have stood against
the bond of citizens less known to fame and
with the great mass of their friends and as
sociates, their courage remained undoubted.
One of these gentlemen is the High Sheriff
of the county, and the other practising at
torney. Both have sworn to support the
Constitution. That instrument declares, that
sany citizen of this State who shall, after
~, 81 ~ al, IL
duel with deadly weapons, either within this
State or out of it, ETC., ssshall not be allow
ed to hold any Office of profit, or to enjoy the
right of suffrage under this Constitution"
These men, by their own voluntary act,
then, have placed themselves under the ban
of politicat dislrancbisement
If the Sheriff is permitted to continue a
discharge of his official duties, with what
face can he serve civil process upon good
citizen, or forcibly restrain an evil-designed
person from committing public offence? or
how can the attorney give wholesome legal
advice, who has himself shown an utter dis
regard for the law
If rumor be correct, notwithstanding
the gentlemen have fought, the point of diff
ference between them, stands precisely as it
did in the beginning. Several days were
spent in chafering. Retractions were de-
manded and refused. The field as sought,
two shots exchanged, and then it was sud-
denly discovered that there might be some
misapprehension of the facts. Explanations
proved that there had been! The offensive
language, it was understood-as had fre-
quently been alleged in the process of at
tempted negotiations-was only repeated,
not originated, by the gentleman using it
At last, this view of the case became appar-
ept to the challenger and the only mystery
was, that his perceptive faculties were so
singularly obtuse, that he could not under
stand the true state of the case as well before
the duel, as after.
Now, as to the progress of the duel. When
such affairs do occur, they should be con-
Quoted with profound secrecy. All the dig
nifty and seriousness which they generally
involve, when community at large get wind
Of them, suddenly vanish. The act and the
actors, are made objects of ridicule and jest.
In the present instance, there was no lack of
aisparaging comment. The principals made
an imprudent exhibition of themselves. If
they could have heard all the remarks made,
the jokes INDUCED, the predictions ventured,
and the laughter provoked at their expense,
we venture to say, that they never would be
guilty of again placing themselves in such a
delicate and equivocal position.
The demands of the code have been ap-
peased and henceforward we hope these
gentlemen, like the ilustrious Brutus and
Casca-only with hands less ensanguined-
may stand forth to the world as the very
models Of chivalric and honorable men