American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-07-26
THE RHETT-COOLEY DUEL.


within our knowledge. There is
scarcely paper throughout the
lengnth and breadth of the land
but has discussed it's merits and
moral effects, and many, we regret
to see, have branded Col. Rhett
as a cowar,lly murderer. This is
all wrong, and not justified by the
published facts.
Duelling, absrractly considered
is not only highly immoral. but
absolutely sinful, and how 1t has
been so long tolerated in a land OF
christian civilization and refine.
ment, is to us paradox. And
yet many true, noble and chival.
rOus natures resort tOit as means
of redress for griev ances. Moth
ing can be morally right tina.
comes in direct antagonism with
the word of God, and that dis
tinctly says, ''ThOu shalt not kill. "
In the settlement of personal
difficulties, however, a far differ
ent code is appealed to, and 81
long as that code is recognized.
the parties acting under its regu
latiOns must be judged by them
alone. With all the lights before
us, we are not prepared to admit
that, in this instance, Col. Rhett
Is amehabie to the charge of muir
der, as alleged.
As the editor of the Picdyune,
he had IA high public duty to per
form, and had he been deferred
from his duty by threats or blus-
tering bravadO, he would have
been unworthy the exalted posi-
ion assigned him. Judge Cooley
was the aggrassOr, and such was
he nature of his insults, that none
Dut a Coward would have passed
hem by uunoticed. To have
reated Judge COoley's attack
Ipon his honor and integrity with
silent contempt, would not only
nave destroyed his Iublic useful
less, but subjected him to the
aunts and jeers of a community
n which tie duello is rccog, lied
IS the best aud only legitimate
method of settling such difficulties
between gentlemen.
Had Col. Rhett been the cold
DlOoded murdererthat some paper.
nave pronounced him, he would
nave shot Judge Cooley down at
light; but no; acting upon the
highest principle known to the
ode, he sent him IA cartel, thereby
'ffording him an equal chance with
Cooley accepted the gage
If battle, with the fixed de
no doubt, to take his
life. When those two gentlemen
stood, face to face, upon that fatal
ielG, they must have felt that life
depended solely on the prompt
less and accuracy of their fire.
The Fates favored Col. Rhett aud
Judge Cooley fell, mortally wound
I'll, and in a few brief moments,
Welded up his life in obedience t.
he requirements of a recognized
ode of honor, however false II
nay be.
TO say that Col. Rhett is a cold
FLOODED murderer, ia view of all
.hese circumstances, is, we think,
10 stretch the turpitude Of his ac.
ion beyond the farthest limit OF
he moral law, and the public YER
lict must he the converse of thai
by these Journals.
Since writing the above, We
earn from the Jackson Pilot that
Governor Powers has dispatched
o New Orleans for information
.ouching the affair, and if necessa
~ af1idavits can be obtained, he
will send acquisitions for the par
ties, and arraigu them for trial.
because, forsootb, the duel was
fought on Mississippi soil. Such
action on the part of the Governor
will be simply absurd, and if per
sisted in must result in the stulti
ticatiOn of all concerned in the
Ever since the for
nation of this government such
luels have been fought, without
interference, and it is a
little strange that, at this late
lay, Col. Rhett should be the vic
i'm of prosecution, while thOus-
,nds have escaped unpnnished.
Public opinion is a law that de
nands respect, and in this case,
we think it will shield Gel. Rhett.
If ever there was a justifiable duel,
that in which Judge Cooley lost |
his life must be so regarded.
Gen'l Alex. b. Bradford, a dis
N un iSbah oitizan Af orr O,,4n