Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-05-07
GOOD REASONS FOB NOT FIGHTING A
DUEL.

4 recent difficulty between Gen
Johnstoue Jones and Mr.. Rich.
mOnd Pearson, both Of Asheville,
n. c., resulted in challenge from
the latter TO the former TO meet
him on the "feld of honor" Both
are members of the North Carolina
Legislature. Gen Jones, who serv
ed with distinction in the COnfeder
ate army, and has since served as
acknowledgement of the State, de.
clined to accept MIR. Pearson's chal-
lengc, and in doing SO wrote
"Perbaps you hope to humilate
me. In this you shall be disap
pointed. l am prouder to decline
your challenge than you can ever
be that you challenged me under
the circumstances. | have family
to support were you to kill me
they would be utterly destitute
Your family are rich, and were ! to
kill you they have ample means on
which to live. This inequality be
tween us you were fully aware OF
when you peuned your challenge
But | take no shelter here. l put
my declination on the broad grounds
that | am opposed to dueling. !
do not recognize the 'sO.called code
as legitimate way in which to
settle difficulties between gentle
men. sly obligations to the laws
of my State and society, besides
the obligations | have personally
assumed as a member of church
aud as ain officer of the State OF
North Carolina, sworn to support
us laws, precludes me from enter
ing upon course such as is sug-
gested in your letter, and IN trans
teTrlng to the arena of personal
violence questions which can by
no possibility find settlement here
"Duellng IS wrong in itself, a
violation Of the commandment
Thou shalt do no murder 1t is a
violation of the constitution and
laws OF North Carolina. In my case,
t. indulge in such a practice would
be violation of the oath ] have
taken 10 bear allegiance to the con-
siitut;On and laws OF our State
Being still a member of the GeneI
al Assembly, | recognize the obi
CATION resting upon me as such.
"Asidc from these views | can
not recognize the method as a
solution or a cure of the grievance
of which you complain. Were YOU
to kill me or | to kill you, there
would DE no vindication Of courage,
nor would it satisfy your friends or
mine, or the public generally, that
the cause OF compliant was just or
unjust.
IL regard the killingin duel as
deliberate murder, so pronounced
by the highest authority, human
and divine and to fight a duel,
though death might not result,
both the sin and the violation Of
the law have been committed.
Whatever may be the estimation
in which the practice of dueling is
held by the code duello,' tits made
nm infamous crime by the code of
North Carolina.
"The custom has become ObsO-
Iete, and | think now generally re.
garded both ridiculous and tarcleal
"A well as unlawful, and did | now
grant your request should feel my
sell to Ike moral coward worthy
the severe condemnation of the law,
and the contempt and derlslon OF
the good and law.abiding citizens.
Occupying the position J do as
A representative Of the people,
cannot ail'OId TO commit a crime 80
plainly forbidden by both the or
ganic and statute laws, nor set
such an example Of lawlessness."
In concluding his letter, however,
Gen. Jones informs Mr.. Pearson
that he "will defend himself at all
times and under all circumstances