The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-06
THE CODE DUELLO.

We do not claim TO be at all familiar
with the law of the duello, but we have al
ways supposed that it was premedtated
fight, with some gontlemanly weapons, be-
tween two persons, either to settle some
private difference or some point of honor
between them. But the little bellgerent
differences which have transpired within the
last few days between two of our contem-
poraries Of the press, have developed new
phase to the code Thonner which we deem
it our duty to notice as among the numer-
Gus signs Of progress the world is rapidly
making just at this time. According to
the old code, seven things were essentially
binding upon the parties entering into one
of these private fights:
l. That there should be sufficient pro-
vocation. ... -
2. That such provocation should have
been premedtatedly given; that is, given
either with view to fight or in a reason
able expectation of it.
3. That challenge should pass, accom-
panied by all the nice punctilios of cere-
mony which the most gentlemanly code of
honor could demand on the part of the
challenger.
A. That it should be accepted with like
niceness of punctilio on the part Of the
challenge.
5. That the weapons selected should be
of that sort which the highest sense OF
honor among gentlemen would dictate.
G. That no advantage should be taken
by or given to either of the parties bellig-
erents, whether in the choice of weapons,
position on the field, or any other adjunct.
7. That, the fight over and neither party
killed, the challenger should acknowledge
his "honor" satisfied.
These, as we understand the code, were
the imperative conditions demanded. But
the new era" dispcnses with all of these
punctilious conditions, and the man whose
honor has been wounded is expected neither
to give nor accept challenge, bit lcdlk
right out on tie street and genteelly aSsassi-
nate his antagonist on sight. In the little
personal quill-scrimmage between two of
our contemporaries, this is the position
taken, if we can understand the use of the
English language between the parties bel
ligerent. Now, we need not enter our pro-
test against this perversion of the code of
honor. If that code is a relic of barbari5m,
and every state in the Union so regards it
and SO treats it by civil enactment, this
"new departure" is infinitely more bar
barrie, and should find no gentlemanly sane
ton in the public mind anywhere. bril- -
! We have had not a little experience in
| American journalism, and have done some
pretty hard fighting with our quill, in more
than one exciting political campaign. But
we have never yet had occasion to handy
the lie Extensively with our neighbor. 1t
is rarely, if ever, necessary, and when rem
dered unavoidable, it is far more effective
to give the qualified lie than the lie direct.
The most terrible blows are those that
descend in "honed phrase" as ''heaping
Goals of fire" is the most effective way of
dealing with false and treacherous friend.
Let Main street run with no more editorial
blood, unless it can be shed in fair fight,
and according to the most punctilious ETH
quette of the code d honnear. If "Iaw-
hides" are to take the place of PISTOLS"
let it be ''rawhidos and coffee for, two,"
with the chiValrous spirit of Macbeth in
fused into the fight, each Of the combatants
exclaiming
----'Lay on MacdufT!