The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-02-02
"THE CODE OF HONOR"
DIR. Jas. IT. Charlisle in 81. Louis Christian,
ddr0cntc.

About fifty years ago, two South Caro-.
linians faced each other on the duelling
ground. Col. John L. Wilson came from
the field unhurt, while his antagonist re-
ceived a flesh wound. Wilson was en-.
gagged at different times in three duels, in
each of which he wounded his opponent,
in no case fatally. He was never wound.
ed. On the occasion referred to above,
soon after firing, he saw bloody spot on
the white vest of his adversary. This
thought al once rushed into his mind
vividly, II have killed him Was this a
real necessity2 Ifmy seconds had done
their whole duty, perhaps this might
have been avoided" Before leaving the
ground he resolved to draw up rules for
the manage enent of "aifairs of honor"
which might prevent inexperienced
seconds from precipitating dueis. This
purpose was at once carried out, and
"Wilson's American Code of Honor" was
the result. This code for many years was
recognized as the leading authority among
duellists in the South. Now it has only
an historic interest. We may hope that
it will never again be consulted on the
ground by two men seeking each others
lives.
Our readers may take for granted that
we have no tears to shed over the custom
which has now passed away. Nor do We
mean to engage in the easy task of "thrice
Staying the slain." We wish to see if the
Duellist's Code of Homer may not have
lesson for US still.
Governor Wilson tbc author of the
code was Governor of our State, 1S22-24),
says in the preface: "To publish Code
of Honor to govern in cases of individual
combat might seem to imply that the
publisher was an advocate of duelling,
and wishes to introduce it as the proper
mode Of deciding all personal difficulties
and misunderstanding. Such implica-
ton would do me great injustice" he
also says: "I would inculcate in the ris-
ing generation spirit of lofty independ-
ence. 1 would have them taught chat
nothing was more derogatory to the
honor of a gentleman than to wound the
feelings of any one, however humble.
That, wrong be done to another, it was
more an act of heroism and bravery to
repair the injury than to persist in error
and enter into mortal combat with the
injured party. That this would be an
aggravation Of that which was already
odious, and would put him without the
pale of all decent society and honorable
men. I would strongly inculcate the
propriety of being tender of the feelings
of those around him. I would teach
immutable. integrity and uniform urbani-
ty Of manners. Scrupulously to guard
individual honor by high personal self
respect and the practice of every com.
mendable virtue. Once let such system
of education be universal and we should
seldom hear, if ever, of any more duel
ing" 81 believe that nine duels out of
ten, if not ninetyenine out of q hundred,
originate in the want of experience in the
seconds"
1t is but fair to credit the authors with
an honest desire to lessen the number of
duels. He used to claim that ne had
prevented more duels than any man of his
day in the State.
We quote few passages which are
certainly good as far as they go:
whenever you believe you are insult.
ed, if the insult be in public and by words
or behavior, never resent it there, if you
have selfcommand enough b to avoid MOTTO.
ing it. When you believe
yourself aggrieved, be silent on the sub.
ject, speak to no one about the matter,
and see your friend who is to act for you
as soon as possible. \ n Never
send challenge in the first instance, for
that precludes all negotiation. Let your
note be in the language Of gentleman,
and let the subject.matter of complaint
be truly and fairly set forth, cautiously
avoiding attributing to the adverse party
any improper motive. 4 x Use
every effort to soothe and tranquilize your
principal. Do not see things in the same
aggravated light in which he views them;
extenuate the conduct of his adversary
whenever you see clearly an opportunity
to do so without doing violence to your
friends irritated mind. Endeavor to
persuade him that there must have been
some misunderstanding in the matter.
Check him if he uses opprobious epithets
towards his adversary. and never permit
improper or insulting words in the note
you carry. y \ : When an ac'
commodation is rendered, never require
too much, and if the party Offering the
an,ende honorable wishes to give reason
for his conduct in the matter, do not, un.
less offensive to your friend, refuse to
receive it; by so doing you heal the
breach the more effectually.
Use your utmost efforts to allay all ex-
citement which your principal may labor
under; search diligently into the origin
of the misunderstanding, fer gentlemen
seldom insult each other unless they labor
under some misappreheusion or mistake,
and when you have discovered the origi-
nal ground of error follow each move.
ment to the time cf sending the note,
and harmony will be restored"
Are these passages from the famous
Code Of Honor unworthy of being quoted
in the columns of religious newspaper?
May not the children of this generation
still be wiser in some things than the
children of light? Alterations have
taken place between Christian men, and
have even become chronic, stereotyped,
| incurable because the parties or their