The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-07-19
Is Duelling Really IarbarOus

have occupied SO much OF the time of
the courts We confess that we feel
sincere regret that the trainers of our
neM Constitution saw fit to make such
stringent regulations against what, in
dsrision, our latter day .reformerS are
pleased to sneer at as the 'sCode Of Hon.
or" 1t was sad thing to be overcome in
battle and forced to surrender our arr,s
to the conqueror, but sadder day awaits
us when we shall allow the customs of
our enemies to be ongrafted on our go.
ciety, causing the civilization which
was once our pride and boast, to give
way to their SO called higher civiliza-
tion.
The civilization that will make war
upon gaming at Faro Bank and Rou-
lette, but holds in high esteem the rascal
who successfully robs corporation or
ruins the unsophisticated by stock gam.
bling and futures The civilization that
argues that female virtue that can be
seduced is not worth p protecting. A civ.
ilizltion that counsels man when hs
is accused of lying to accuse back again
and thus gets even. The civilization
that laughs at honor and acoffs ut family
pride. For our part We prefer tn, SO.
ciety of former days. a society where
no man could rise who lacked integrity.
Where pcn mad to pay that homage to
truth which made them "assume vir.
tue if they had it not"
A society where promptrsss to repel
aggression was accompanied by cnr.
responding sensitivcncss to tho rights
Of others. In short, a society where the
code ofhonor was fully recognized rs
the rule among gentlemen to be resortep
to for the defence Of ohafacter aud repu.
tation. Until men become better Chris
tians, until the time shalIcome whom
all will love one ansthcr too we'll to in.
fringe upon cath others-fi dts, the code
Of honor must exist in sll high tonel
and we'll regulated society. We contend
that it is christian code, and Just
as defensible and justifable as war. We
contend that a christian minister is fully
ns much justified in defending his honor
under the code as he would be in accept :
ing the captaincy Of n Company TO fight
the enemies OF his country. We would
not fight duel, unless the affront was
of such grave character as to rest
under it would destroy our usefulness to
society and the good name We desire to
leave our children The Code of Honor
strictly adhered to never allows fatal
termination toa quarrel, unlsss under
circumstances when such bad blood has
been aroused as would otherwise ter min.
ate in street fight, thus endangering
the liyes of others aud Involving the
friends and relatives in a long ADD
bloody vendetta. 1t is Ignorance ofth,
Code which makes men ridicule it, We
can demonstrate that there is scarcely
single instance to be referred TO where
duel has terminated fatally where ev
en- such result was not che test for
society under the impsrfec,ions of our
humanity: We do not alludc TO ca.
SOS where the code has been violated
and death of one or both parties bas
been the fos ilt We assert that when
tue code is fully recognized and strictly
adhered TO, there are very few quarrels
that arise among gentlemen that cal.
not be settled by il. We like the code
because it keeps us out Of difficulties
with blaokguards, and We know
full well that will settle any
trouble or misunderstanding that
may occur with gentlemen. In other
words, We like it because it keeps us out
of fights. II is an impartial peace.ma
kcr, and therefore we call il Christian
code. 1t takes quarrel out of the
hands of those who are offended an Il
prejudiced against each other, aud places
it in the management of those who have
but one aiu, and that is peace. We
assert again that the code, strictly foil.
owed, will settle nearly all difficulties,
and only wien it is violtted 10 these
unhappy results follow which arouse the
sympathy of the community for the un
fortunate, aud bring down the usual
outburst of prejudice against the code.