The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-07-11

the third, duel, is still esteemed
in Virginia honorable, though in
violation of the laws Of the State.
We are aware that a great many people
ridicule the idea that o mans honor can be
so outraged as to warrant a resort to arms.
The theory is that Anglo-Ssxon civilization
has taught irate individuals better way TO
settle their quarrels than by personal COM
bat, as regulated by the code" We are not
the advocate of duels. All too frequently
trivial disputes have been settled on what is
popularity known as the field of honor"
Apparently a large majority of the
people of the United States are opposed
to duelling In most, if not in all, OF
the States the laws impose the severest
penalties upon duelists. To kill man in a
duel is made murder or manslaughter by the
statutes. But as general thing, when the
trial is had fol such violation of the law, the
belligerents go free or are subjected to mild
penalties. Such facts, when analysed, indi-
cate very clearly that the people are not in
sympathy with the statistics. 1t is the same
as in the cases where Mutt or Thompson
avenges a great outrage by shooting down
occur it is all bosh to blubber over the
affair and pour out sentimental slush
about mans depravity or the decadence
Of civilization. When a man defames the
fair name of wife, mother or sister; when he
deliberately for the qualification of beastly
Lust wrecks home by deeds more atrocious
than murder, the people In every instance
abrogate the statutes and il the mlscreant is
killed the verdict is served him right" 1t
is the same thing in the case of Beirne and
Elan. Beirne was denounced publicly
as liar and a coward. He could have said
in his paper to Elan: "You are liar and
a coward" or in Yankee psrlance, YOU'RE
another" But society in Virginia would have
at once branded Beirne as a coward, what
ever might have been thought of the other
opprobrious epithet. Beirne had to fight or
leave Virginia. To have assumed the thigh
moral of a non-combattant, and worn the
brand of 'liar and coward" would have re-
suited in ostracism and disgrace. 1t will not
do to assume that society in Virginia is akin
to- savagery; that civilization in the Old
Dominion, the home of illustrious men in
the past, is in its dawn, while in other States
it has reached its full orbed noon.
Such talk is simply drool. Mr.. Elam
denounced Beirne as liar and a coward
and took the chances. II the matter had not
been settled by duel street rencoun-
ter would have taken place, compared
with which well regulated duel under the
code" assumes high responsibility. Ma
honism in Virginia is producing crop of
outrages in public affairs. A Republican
Administration, dead to every sentiment of
honor and propriety, vitalizss the stunted
caricarure of humanity by spoils, which he
distributes for the triumph of rascality, and
when honorable men denounce him and his
practices, as fealty to the welfare of the State
demands, they ought not to be advertised as
Liars and towards, and those who engage
in that sort of abuse ought to feel thankful
if they get off with no greater damage than
a bullet hole in any part OF the physical or
ganism not necessarily fatal