National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-01-13
RIppLEBERGER ON pUELING.
a Brief Hut Eloquent speech la The vir
rIuia Seunte.

Senator II. II. Riddleberger in the Virginia
senate on Tuesday spoke briefly and eloquently
on the bill TO remove disabilities incurred by sun
dry persons Gncluding himscl0 under the duel
ing act He slid
Mr. president: perceive that my name is in
this bill for reliefof disabilities, therefore move to
amend by striking out the name of II. H. Riddle
berger, make this motion because wish TO vote
for the bill (which could not do IL my name was
on the list, and do not desire to deprive myself
of the high privilege of assisting in removing the
disabilities Of the other gentlemen who are men
toned in the bill.
HAVE no DISABILITIES
that disturb me. l claim that this is q. question
purely of conscience, under construction or the
constitution, have known senator to take his
seat, without investigation, when IL was nOtOri-
ously known that he had been arrested In going
out of the State to engage In duel He after;
ward took the oath as n member of the General
Assembly We have found recorded evidence that
gentleman lately on the ticket as lieutenant,
governor was well known to have been concerned
In duel gentleman arrested en- route TO light
n duel took his seat in December and had his dis
abilities removed in March.
THERE WAS no INVESTIGATION. WHY?
Because those gentlemen believed that the dis
qualification was of the nature of penalty for
violation of the criminal statute, and that the
penalty could not attach atal without conviction.
If II man comes to vote and the Judge Of election
asks =" Have you bet on this elcctionY' the re-
ply would be, "When you convict me then you
may sit on my qualification MS Q. voter. You can
not fix guilt without conviction"
There are gentlemen in this bill who hold n diff.
ierent view. Some of them holding office sent
their resignation to the Governor before theywcnt
TO the field, In Difference TO their conscientious
convictions | wish my name erased in order TO be
In position to cast my vote to relieve them. II
requires Il uwo-thirds vote. ] wish to give them
mine II is not Il party question. lwould consult
only the convictions of these gentlemen under dis
ability. II Is to relieve their conscientious sCru
pies No man can be custodian Of my conscience
REFLECT PUBLIC SENTIMENT
on this subject of dueling, but not the idle and
silly talk that is INDUCED in by many. will vote
for any measure that will prevent resort 10 arm:
| to settle difficulties, care not how stringent OI
severe the methods so the enactment does not in
| wade the constitution and bill of rights. When we
come to treat such questions let II not be with rash
| sentiments that are heard from religious pulpits
! true but rarely, yet extreme and unjust How
much more fitting would be the blessed senti'
ments from the
! SERMON on THE MOUNT
| than the declaration that the Commonwealth II
| governed by demagoguCs! ] would say TO these
! Christian gentemon-teach men TO use toward
each other language fitted to pass between gentle
/ men, and there would be less occasion Tor men tC
/ resort for settlement Of difficulties TO mode upOT
which the civilized and Christian world alike ha,
| set It's seal of condemnation. l would like 10 bC
put i'm Il situation to help In relieving these gen
/ lenen, whose convictions respect am th'
/ custodian OF my own conscience. l VIII setll'
| with that and my God