Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-02
"He says so."

is entitled, also, to be judge of hi' own case s of A
 That is immaterial. If a man choose. to consider himself aggrievcd, he can demand an apology, or, personal satis, faction. The apology being refused as in my case it must be--the challenge ensues and to question his right to issue it, provided he is recognized as a gentleman, is, equally with Q refusal to fight, equivalent to an admission Of cowardicc.' W es An admission of one's own coward ice is, truly, no alluring alternative. But let us understand each other; what sort of cowardice do you mean Y
 T know of but one.'
 Indeed! Cowardice, speaking gen. erally, is fear: what fear does man betray who declines to accept chal- lenge?'
 -'The fear--eh---that is--the fear of being shot sssess 4s9 a
 Death, young gentleman, to one who believes in future state of re- ward and punishment, is solemn event; and I apprehend that brave man, or a good man (to say nothing of a bad man may fear to meet it without suffering the imputation of cowardice : so that, thus far, your positionis is none of the strongest. Does this cowardice comprehend nothing else than the fear of death 9'iH ~ ! Nothing else.' < Then we have all the argument on that side of the question. Let us look a moment at the other. What induces man to accept challenge ?
 The fear of dishonor.'
 'Ay? then fear operates on both horns of the dilemma: and, for my own part, if were forced to act under the dictation of fear, would choose that course which promised the least disastrous result. Bnt here, again, we do not perhaps understand each other. What kind of dishonor is this ?
 Disgrace, in an intolerable form A man thus degraded would be driven from society, branded with the estigma of cowardice, and blasted with the scorn of all honorable men
 That, truly, were fate to be depre- cated though man of sober judg ment might urge that even such a fate is nothing compared to what awaits those who throw themselves, uncalled and unprcpared, into the presence of their maker. But is what you say true? Does such dishonor involve such consequences?
 Tnquestionably it does"
 Stop moment. Let us consider this. Ton say the man would be driven from society; tell me by whom ? #
 By public opinion
 And the same agent would brand him a coward and blast him with universal scorn?"
 Even so.'
 This public opinion, take it, is the united opinion of that class whom you designate by the phrase all honorable men?p h4
 "It is.''
 svery well. Iwish now to ascertain the practical operation of public opin- ion. Supposing you were this dis homored individual: who, as the Scrip ture hath it, would cast the first stone at you? Who would take the initiative in banishing, branding and scorning yon--w would your father have done it ?"
 No, certainly not" s.e'W ou!d your mother9' 9'
 'No."
 ,sWould the lady you love-or any lady on the face of the earth r r "No." ss
 "Would any of the old respectable inhabltants--yonr fathers companions and equals 2
 "No." w
 .sWould any of those who, by com mon consent, form the respectable and estimable portion of the community
 "No."
 "Would not rather, all these to whom I have referred, applaud you for refus' ing deliberately to give or receive death wound in . quarrel; and hono' you for daring to practice what every sensible man has preached since the world began ?"
 Perhaps they might.'
 Then will you tell me, identirally who would inflict onyou the penalties of this imaginary dishonor? Who would pronounce you disgraced and point at you as coward ?" "Why, Wilson, and Fred Stanly, and Jack Smith, and Jim Brown, and every body
 "What are they? 2
 sGenilemeu
 'sWhat is gentleman
 .One who has, or had, or expects te have a plenty of eash-who has nc particular vocation-who carries rattan, wears long hair, and goes to al tho fashionable parties.
 Ihavc buttwo questions more to ask supposing you arc killed in the duel what would be the consequence t' othcrs?'
 ] My mother would die Of broker heart; and Kate-God knows wha would become of her! A
 "Supposing, on the contrary. yo' \ should kill your antagonistr'
 If were not arrested and hangc' according to law, I should be obliged