The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-26
LEO XIII. ON DUELING.

The Pope Points Out VIII erein the
Duello Is Illogical and Cowardly.
VIENNA, Sept. 23.-The following is the
full text of the letter that was addressed
yesterday by his holiness, the pope, to the
undermined eminent churchmen;
ITO Our Beloved Son, Francis de Paula
of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal
Schonborn, Archbishop Of Prague;
ITO Our Reverend Brother Phillip, Arch
bishop of Cologne; and
ITO Our Other Reverend Brothers, the
Archbishops and Bishops of the Holy
Church in the German Empire, Austria and
Hungary:
beloved Son and Reverend Brothers:
Inspired by your pastoral duties and by
your love for your neighbor, you thought
it well about year ago to address me let
tiers reporting on the frequency of duels
among your people.
mot without grief did you inform me
that these combats had become regular
custom even with Catholics, and you asked
me to raise my voice TO induce men to turn
back from such error. 1t is indeed fatal
error, but one in no way confined TO the
countries in which you rule the church. 1t
extends much further, so that scarcely
nation is free from its Infection.
Both divine and human laws forbid that
a man shall be wounded or killed, except
where the interests CT all are concerned, or
W ere it is necessary for self-defense. But
those who challenge others to combat for
their personal concerns, or accept such chal-
lenGe and are not constrained thereto by
any necessity-these use their gifts of mind
and body for no other purpose than 10 Kill or
wound their opponent.
"Divine and human laws moreover for
bid that any one shall expose his life to evil
dent and great danger unless he be bound
to do so by duty or by a generous love OF
his neighbor Nc one can entertain doubt
that those who undertake such single
combat take upon themselves double
guilt; that of wishing:to kill their oppo-
nents and that of exposing their own lives to
unnecessary danger.
Indeed. we can think Of nothing which
is a greater contradiction to civilized discl-
pline, and which undernines the just order
Of things more, than if the right is left to
every clifton to defend his own rights and
to avenge his honor as best he thinks at.
1.-THE church of God, being the protect
ress and avenger of truth, justice and
honor, has therefore always condemned
and severely punished those guilty Of single
combat
"A decree. Of Pope Alexander III. con-
dennis all combars arising from private ar
fairs. The Council of Trent, with great
severity, prescribed punishment to all who
undertake or take part in such combats. 1t
brands them with shame and expels them
from the church besides refusing Christian
burial to those VINO fall.
"Pope Plus TX. pronounced the severest
punishment against the seconds, witnesses
and all who knew Of duels.
THE wisdom of these laws is the more
evident as the causes for which duels are
fought become slighJer.
"Che opinion generally held that duel
can efface insult or calumny cannot surely
deceive any other than a mailman. Ii even
the challenger be the victor all reasonable
people will admit that he has merely proved
the stronger man OF the two or the better
fencer, but certainly not the more honor
able man. But if he falls in the combat.
does it not prove how absurd Is this way OF
avenglng his honorl
1--WE all know that this crime is com
mitted from a mistaken idea OF honor. Men
fight in pride aud passion 10 ovenge tnem-
selves upon those who have offended them.
If they could combat their own passions
and submit TO God, who commands all men
10 love one another as brothers, who con-
deinns revenge as a deadly sin, and reserves
60 himself the right Of punishment, then the
savage custom OF dueling would soon cease.
But even the excuse put forward py tnose
who are challenged that they do not "lsh 70
be taken for towards Is not Justllable-
IF duty to Elan were to be judged ac-
cordinQ 10 the false opinions held by the
public, and not by the standard ot Roo1 ana
bad therein, there would be no difference
between good aud bad.
THE man Of character should despise the