New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-06-15

the use of deadly weapons. A man, for in
stance, may be known by few individuals
to have been guilty of actions which if
made public would exile him from re-
spectacle society, but his skill with the
dueling pistol is likewise known to those
same individuals who therefore keep
silence about is misdeeds, and thus his
"honor" his preserved. By this perver-
sion Of the word some men vii! tell false
hoods whenever they think proper with
ut-scruple but shoot on the spot him
who dares question their veracitv. This
kind of false honor it is that permits
Credit MobiIier schemes. embezZlement,
even arson, and then drives the perpetra-
tors OF such crimes to sudden death Or
suicide, when detection overtakes them
True honor. on the contrary. though in
ferior TO religion as rule Of conduct, pro-
duces the same effects as religion. It
leads a man to maintain his own self
respect at ali hazards, at any loss, 50 that
he would not commit mean action even
were he certain that detection was inlpos-
sibie. Honor in this sense has been de-
fined as 1.-The consentlent praise OF the
good" and to be sure of deserving this
man must do nothing to forfeit his own
sels-esteem. The principle OF honor, then,
rightly understood, is peculiar to minds
noble by nature, OF cultivated by a refined
education and the study Of great charac-
tiers. 1t is. however. but pagan virtue
after all. and not to be relied upon in
times Of strong temptation. The Christian
has safer guide-God's law. Is it
wrong: not will men condemn me : IS the
question man must ask himself When
some great advantage may be detained by
doubtful means.
Sir Launcelot was the very pink Of chiv-
airy among tneKnig hts Of the Round Ia
bic. Upon his brow SHANE was ashamed
to Sit his honor none dared question,
even in thought The Queen was IS
star set apart in her purity. King Arthur
loved them both; trusted them both: re-
lied upon their honor. It was broken
reed The simple thought, Glow can
do this wickedness, and sin against cod"
would have been more potent than al the
codes of honor ever established by Ian.
In regard to dueling also, falsely called
'Satisfaction" -as if there were ANYTHING
satisfactory in making or being made =
corpse-the law of honor is directI~ It "a.
rance with the law of God Put corld
the unfortunate devotee of this vi !cet:
code who has slain his feIlow-man Ill
honorable combat" bring himsels to
make known to the world his ..,:er
feelings, when in his silen. Chamber.
perhaps even in public halls when rev.
elry and beauty CLAIM: his ..:telt.on.
the CHASTITY face Of his vict:-c TRUSTS
Itself between him and all surroun ling =.
jects. the false honor preserved 8. snch .
price would be cheerfully relinc uiohcd for
peace Of mind. This notion. then. that
anything displeasing to the ALMIGHTY, o.
destructive to society anything incu..-
eating the practice of some virtues. 20 the
neglec. of others anything setting the
dread of human censure above the cc..,c-7-.
ing Of the divine law. is p-oper t. -
adopted as rule Of conduct. en- t,,c-g,.
it assume the inspiring name O; l0-or. =
delusion and snare. It d.. very we!
among the ancient Romans. who '-ce- 10
better; but even they Sc: virtue above
honor, as they showed by MAKING the tenn
pie to the latter accessible only throu /:
the former. It did very well. also. to some
extent in the days o. chivairy when ra-
ligion had de9euerated into = :',:--s 9.
forms and ceremonies. doctrines and pill
grimages. It is utterly needless .
Christian. One who lives up 10 tue .e.-cl-
ings of the Master may well afford to
look down upon the dictates O. lie -~o-i:.
" Be We perfect" is a rule to be i-ept con
stantly before the mind ana its obedience.
ardenntly though Intellectually aimed a., 81.
ders the meaner motto. Honor sarced
tie. too paltry for consideration