The Grange advance., 1874-09-16

Althoug h We are people speaking
the same mother tongue, dueling, for
tunately, has never been carried to
such an extent in the United States as
in England. Under the feudal system
noblemen in that country, it is said,
cared nothing for the tribunals of JUS
tice, and for long period dueling there
was general. In all countries duels have
been prompted by the same passions of
human nature, and in connection with
the stride Of civilization it is = matter
Of considerable historical interest that
the first known duclists on this side of
the Atlantic were punished in compli-
ance with healthy popular sentiment.
The effect Of the public censure seems
to have been salutary, for it is not un-
til long time after this event that we
learn of other duels being fought on
our soil. Tradition las it, however,
that one cf the islands in Boston harbor
became noted as dueling ground for
1.hot-headed sons of old England
Dueling in our army and navy has
been practiced to an extent that has
proved prejudicial to good government.
During the early stages of the war with
Tripoli, many of our officers engaged
in duels-fghting not only among
themselves. but also with officers of the
British navy, and it was not until Com
modore Preble succeeded Dale and Nor
ris that an end, for the time, was put to
the pernicious practice. But again in
1919 duels were frequent between
American and British officers at Glib.
raltar, and the practice was so demor.
alizing to the squadron officers in the
Mediterranean that conferences be-
tween the American ministers in Lon
don and Lord Castlereagh were resort
ed to as means Of procuring meas
ures to restore harmony.
Among the distinguished officers Of
the American army and navy whose
names have been associated with the
duello may be mentioned Gems. Nathan
iel Greene and Israel Putnam, and
Commodores* Stephen Decatur and
Oliver II. Perry. The challenge which
Greene declined and the duel which
Perry fought were recently mentioned
in communication to the Evening
Post. The difficulties were not serious,
and the facts of each case passed into
history as those of ordinary events !;
but the ,Decatur-Barron engagement
proved deplorable in it's results. The
parties fought with pistols, and before
firing Barron said: II hope: on meet
ing in another world We shall be better
friends than in this. Decatur replied {.
II have never been your enemy, sir. -
They are said to have discharged their
weapons At the same instant, and ''but
one report was heard.'' So true WAS
their aim that both of them fell, and
each was supposed to be mortally
wounded. We quote now from letter
written after the occurrence by vii.
liam Writ, the attorney-general Of the
United States: |'Doctor Washington
vas upon the ground. He says
that it reminded him of the
closing scenes Of 4 tragedy -
Hamlet and Laertes. Barron proposed
that they should make friends before
they met in heaven, for he supposed
they would both die Immediately. De.
catur said he had never been his enemy
and that he freely forgave him his
death, although he could not forgive
those who had stimulated him to seek
his life. One report says that Barron
exclaimed, Would to God you had said
this much yester3ay!' It is certain
that the parley was friendly one, and
that they parted in peace. Decatur
knew he was to die, and his only sor.
row was that he had not died in the
service Of his country. Il '.e..
It is represented that there was real.
~ no cause for the duel. Barron un.
doubtedly. challenged Decatur under
some misrepresentation. He claimed
however, that Decatur had advanced
opinions rejecting upon Misconduct a
an officer. The affair took placeMarch
%, 1920. Decatur died, but Barron
although severely wounded, recovered
Putnam was the hero Of two. duels
He fought only because he: was bound
to do so "acccording to usage" Or
one occasion he unintentionallyo offended
q fellow officer; who demandcd immedi.
ate satisfaction. They met the mex,
morning, but before the officer could
take disposition '.Old Put it is said
gave him : shot At thirty rods and be
gan to reload. /! "What are YOU about
to do! Is this the conduct Of IN Amer
icAn officer and aman Of honor Z" isked
the astonished man. ! s.%"What G4am i
about to do {" replied. Putnam., zs.A 4
pretty question to put to nan Mhosr
you intended t. murder | Tn Ahou1
Z : ~ ~
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