Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-04-02
THE FIELD OF HONOR.
Some Notable Duels, Ancient and Mod
ern-A Duke Who WOuldn't shoot
Clay and RandOlph.

ern-A Duke Who wOuldn't shoot
Clay and Randolph.
From an article on dueling, in the Sun
dag Press of Philadelphia, the following is
taken:
Even in late days, in some parts of Eu-
rope, men in public life were but little
thought Of until they could add to their
list of accomplishments one or more ''af-
fairs of honor in which they had been eE-
gagged; and i'm some of the German universi
ties the students considered these little pas
times as the sureSt passport to an entrance
into good society. Among the etrifling causes
which led to fatal duels, a few will be
named. One ofthese occurred at Largo, Eng
land. between a Mr.. Stephens, young man
about twenty years Of age, and lawyer
named Anderson, the latter being accused
of having spoken in a manner which the
former considered personally offensive.
The parties met. and, after having ex-
changed shots without effect, the seconds
interpOsed. Mr.. Stephens insisted on an
apology, to which Mr.. Anderson replied
that he could not apologize for words which
he never used. They again took their
ground and fired, when Mr.. Stephens was
Instantly killed, the ball from the weapon
of the other party passing through his head.
Here, as does not always occur, it looks as
though the most inconsistent one Of the
pair was the sufferer.
Another fatal duel was fought near Edin-
burgh, in Scotland, about a very trlhing
matter, the particulars of which were as
follows:
A servant Of Sir George Ramsey was
waiting with vehicle at the door Of the
theatre for his master, when Capt. Ma
craze ordered him to remove it. On object
ing to this, the captain severely whipped
him. and the next day, meeting Sir George
| Ramsey. insisted upon his removing the
man from his service. This was refused on
the ground that whatever was the miscon-
duct Of the servant. he had already received
a sufficient punishment. This led to a
| challenge and a meeting, when Sir George
| fell. mortally wounded. Inthis case gen
| tleman. who certainly acted in most
praiseworthy manner, met his death by the
| hand of man who behaved like an unrea-
sonable fool. 1t has not untrequent-
" happened that parties who had
been warm friends for years, have,
| in moments Of passion and through
the indiscretiOn of their companions, beeli
led on to these fatal encounters, leaving TO
the survivors a bitterness of remOrse
through life far greater than the sutferings
of their unfortunate victims. II the real
offenders who indulge in duels were the
ones who were slain or wounded, the code
might not be so Teprehensible, but unfOrtu-
nately the reverse has been too often the
case. The meeting between Sir Mulberry
Hawk and his dupe, SO feelingly described
by Dickens, has had numerous parallels III
| real life. The scoundTel who has a reiy,tta,
ton for courage among his other accom-
plislments will not hesitate, after injurinz
his friend either I'm his domestic relation,
or at the gaming table, 10 get clear OF hin
by a dexterOus use of the sword or pistol.
4 noted duel between members OF Tho
upper crust of the aristOcTacy OF England
took place at Wimbledon common on the
10Th of MAY. 1883, the Duke Of York anC
Col. LenOx Deiug the principals. At that
time his royal highneSs was Colonel OF th'
COldstream guards, and Charles LenOX
nephew and heir to the Duke OfRichmOnd
the Lieutenant-C Colonel Of the same resi
ment. At a dinner-party LenoX had pro-
posed the health Of Mr.. Pitt. which the
Duke construed into an atirOnt TO himsel
and his brother, the Prince Of Wales. Al
ball short time afterward the Duke OF
York remarked to the DutcheSs of York
that Col. LenOx had heard words SpokeI
at a club of which he was a member tC
which no gentleman ought to have submit
ted.
This having been reported to LenOx, he
took the liberty, at a parade Of the regl-
ment soon after, to demand of the Duke hi;
authority for making the statement he haC
TO the Duchess Of Gordon. The Duke re
piled by ordering him to his post. Subse
Ouently the Duke declined to give his au
thority, but expressed his readiness L
answer for what he had said, and that h
wished TO derive no protection from HI:
rank. To this the Colonel replied that h
could not consider His Royal Hishness as
any other than the son of his King. They
however. subsequently met, as stated, tn
Duke attended by Lord Rawdon, ant
Col. IenOx BY the Earl Of Winchelsea
The ground was measured at twelve
PAGES, and both parties were to mr.
at a given signal. LenOx fired ant
the ball Crazed His Royal HighneSs
side curl. but the duke did nOt fire. LOr'
RavdOu then interfered and saidhe though
enough had been done. LenOx observed
that his fire had not been returned. Raw
don said il was the dukes intention not &
fire: he had come out on Col. LenOX's de
sire, and had no animOsity against him
Lenox urged that the duke should fire
which was again declined and the same Tea
son given. Lord Winchelsea then went NJ
To the Duke of York and expressed TIN
hone that he would have no objection q
cav that he considered Col. LenOx a mai
of honor and courage. He replied that n
should say nothing; he mad come to Civ
Col. IenOx satisfaction, and did not meal
To fire at him; if the colonel was not salts
: fed he might fire at him again. Leno,
; said he could not possibly do this, as hi
royaI highness did not mean to fire at him
On this the parties left the ground.
,, In later days the case of Graves and Gil
lev NAV be menLiOnd. These two Incl
were members of Congress, meeting to
eether daily on most familiar terms, an
! without the slightest feeling Of enmity
but on a mere point of honor, so called, on
took the life of the other, and never eXperl
enced a happy day thereafter.
A similar case was that between Henr
CLAW and John Randolph. The great bu
; eccentric Virginian, although he agreed t
neet the eminent Kentuckian, had detel
mined that he would not return his firt
; and at the proper time discharged his pistC
in the air. This touched the nO5ler feeling
of Mr.. Clay. who expressed great pleasur
at not having injured Mr.. Randolph, a
l tbouoh the hall from his pistol paSse
: throIIch that gentleman's garment. Wheth
| or II was upon the principle that men iOv
each other better after they have fought tC
oetber. or not. it is certain that these dis
tinguished gentlemen were warm frlehd
ever afterward.