Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-28
THE CODE DUELLO.
How It Is Expounded by a Com-
 potent Georgia Authority.

Never Resent g Public Insult If Possible
 Bo Silent and Consult Your Friend
 In Accordance with We'll Es-
 tabHshed Rules.
 A Georgian whose familiarity with af- fairs of honor is vouched for by the Atlanta Constitution lays down the following as the main provisions of the code:
 Whenever you believe you are insulted, If the insult be in public, and by words or behavior, never resent it there, if you have self-command enough to avoid noticing it.
 When you believe yourself aggrieved, be silent on the subject, speak to no one about the matter, and see your friend who is to act for you as soon as possible.
 When your second is in full possession of the facts leave the matter to his judgment and avoid any consultation with him unless he seeks It. He has the custody of your honor, and by obeying him you can not be compromised. Second of Aggrieved Party.-Whenevc you are applied to by friend to act as his second, before you agree to do so state dis tinctly to your principal that you will be governed only by your own judgment; that he will not be consulted after you are in full possession of the facts, unless 1t becomes
 
 honorable, or send 8 challenge. You are. supposed to be cool and collected, and your friends feelings are more or less irritated.
 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 adver- sary whenever you see clearly an opportu- nifty to do SO, without doing violence to your friends irritated mind. Endeavor to dis suade him that there must have been some misunderstanding in the matter. Check him if he uses opprobrious epithets towards his adversary, and never permit improper or insulting words in the note you carry.
 Ii a note be not written in the style of a gentleman refuse to receive it, and assign your reason for such refusal. If there be a question made as to the character of the note require the second presenting 1t to you, who considers it respectful, to indorse upon it these words: s'I consider the note of my friend respectful, and would not have been the bearer of it if believed otherwise"
 When an accommodation is rendered nev- CT require too much; and if the party offer ing the amende wishes to give reason for his conduct in the matter do not, unless of- fensive to your friend, refuse to receive it; by doing so you heal the breach more eff fectually.
 Party Receiving Note.-If the note re- ceived be in abusive terms object to it's re- ception and return it for that reason; but, if it be respectful, return an answer of the same character, in which respond correctly and openly to all interrogatories fairly pro- pounded, and hand it to your friend, who, it is presumed, you have consulted and who has advised the answer.
 Second of Party Receiving Note.-When, consulted by your friend inform him dis tinctly that he must be governed wholly by you in the progress of the dispute. If he refuse, decline to act on that ground. Use your utmost efforts to allay all excitement which your principal may labor under {; search diligently into the origin of the mis- understanding, for gentlemen seldom in- suit each other unless they labor under some misapprehension or mistake, and when you have discovered the original ground of error follow each movement to the time of sending the note and harmony will be restored. Retrace step by step, re- moving obstacles, or simultaneously with draw obstacles.
 When your principal refuses to do what you require of him decline further acting on that ground, and inform the opposing second of your withdrawal.
 Upon the acceptance of challenge the seconds make the necessary arrangements for the meeting, in which each party is en- titled to perfect equality. The terms of meeting are put in writing and signed in duplicate.
 If the challengee insist upon what is not usual in time, place, distance and weapon do not yield the point, but tender in writing what is usual in each, and if he refuses to give satisfaction then your friend may post him.
 If, after a fire, either party be touched the duel is to end.
 If, after an exchange of shots, neither party be hit, and the complaining party has not been deeply injured or grossly insulted | the seconds shall direct the principals to meet in middle ground and be reconciled. Should they refuse to do so the seconds shall withdraw, informing the principals that the contest must be continued under the superintendence of other friends.
 The arms used should be smooth bore pistols, not exceeding nine inches in length. Every gentleman is expected to be fa- miliar with the weapon, which is less dead ly than the rifled pistol, the rifle or the shot, gun.
 Each second has loaded pistol in order | to enforce @ fair combat, according to the rules agreed on; and if principal | fires before the word or time agreed on, he is at liberty to fire at him, and if such seconds principal fall, it is his duty to do SO.
 
 with strong impulses and hot passions,' ,'' continued the advocate of the code, Sit may be presumed that quarrels will occur | among them. There are persons who be- | heve, with some show of reason, that so | long as difficulties will arise among gen. l tlemen they should not be settled by mon | under the influence of anger and excite ment, and that perhaps after all it may be wisest, best for all parties interested, safest l for them and for the community at large I that their grievances should at the outset be placed in the hands of cool and honor | able friends who have no motive to involve l their principals in personal combat and | every reason to desire a creditable adjust ment. They believe, and the history of the duello shows, that they are right; that in this way quarrels, with comparatively rare exceptions, are amicably settled. Calam ities are avoided, and many heartache is saved the innocent parties indirectly enter ested."
 So much for the code duello.