The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-05-06


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An interesting discussion has arisen in the
journals of Cincinnati In connection with the
recent controversy between Mr.. MCLEAN OF the
Enquirer and Mr. HA1srEAp Of the Commercial
The latter journal had commented with much
frankncss and freedom upon Dir. McLEAS's alleged
private connection with various public matters.
That gentleman suddenly responded with great
violence against the editor the Commercial, pro-
claiming him TO be destitute Of the courage Of
gentleman, and adding such extreme cpithets as
anger suggested. Nr. McLEAN assumed in this
manner 10 post Mr. IlALsrgAD as q coward and this
is the point which has given occasion to some very
Instructive dissertations. II seems, according 10
the Les, authorities, that the code Of honor docs
not allow man vino desires to call another TO
account for any wrong which he supposes him
self to have suffered, TO 90 nbou. nj public places
abusing his adversary, calling him names, or
hcupng insults upon him in the newspapers, be-
fore demanding satisfaction. Such conduct en-
tirely deprives a man Of the right TO chnl-
lengc his opponent. Mother can ho in
geuiously or in vague terms try 10 pro-
yoke n challenge; but he must appear person
ally before bis adversary or send his second 10
him to seek for m explanation, with view to q
hostile encounter in case the explanation is re-
fused Posting a man who declines 10 fight 10
also matter that is not contemplated by the
code Of honor Whcucvcr challenge is re.
fuscd the remedy Of the challenging party is TO
inact upon the reiuser some insult--not Of q
gross nature, for that is unbecoming q gentle
man, but sufficient 10 mark the new relationship
that has been established between them. In this
way PAUL DE CAssAGNAc, O noted French duels'
not long ago took satisfaction upon one who had
refused to fight, by waiting for him in the street
and throwing one of his gloves in his face, with
the simple exclamation, Coward -
II may also be taken as settled that no man
who has any peculiar stain upon bis own charac-
ter cen call upon another 10 fight him. 1t is q
sufficient answer TO a challenge from such per-
son 10 state the fact that the challenging party
lies publicly under charges that affect his honor,
and has taken no means TO relieve himself Of them.
Another nice point is, that persons seeking salts
faction under the code are required 10 abstain
from all gross, needless. and insulting language
toward their opponents. This is one Of the faults
attributed to PKRRE DoSAPARrE in the recent
transaction which has branded him with such
enduring infamy. When the seconds of PAscuAL
GRoUssEr waited upon him with the challenge Of
their friend twas his duty TO receive them ciyilly
Instead of this, il has been proved that he fell
into violent language, the sequel to which was
the killing of VIcroR Morn; and however much
persons may differ respecting the nature Of that
homicide, there can be no doubt as TO the fact
that BoSAPARrE permanently disgraced himself
by his manner Of receiving the seconds. This
alone puts il out Of his power ever to challenge
any man with the hope Of obtaining duel, and
reduces him to The necessity of staying without
ceremony every one from whom he may ever de-
sire TO obtain satisfaction.
1t is plain, from all these considerations. that
Mr.. HALsrsAD was not only under no obligation
TO eight duel with Mr.. McLE.S, but that the
| spirit of the code especially forbade Il; and
those who have hastily declared thas HALsrEAD 10
destitute Of courage because he did not take mp
the coarse provocaton Of his antagonist, only show
their own ignorance Of the refined and subtitle
laws which have been established to regulate the
mode of killing or manning by the ducllo.
We do not suppose that Mr.. HALsrEAD world,
at any rate, fight duel he is man Of too
much sense nd civilization. But Of his COURAGE
physical as well as neral, there can DC no qucs.
| ton.