New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-30

witness or have knowledge Of the conflict Inc WIS
dom Of these laws becomes more apparent the io"se
We studc the given In defence Of or IN excuse
Of the vanton custom OF duclIng. Inc 0pli'h "',
be general that conflicts Of this kind are intehaou
10 avenge insults to personal feelings OF honor Du'
only unbalanced minds be CONVINCED thhI ui0S
accomplish this end Even If he who has been c""''
lenged TO duel on account Of some insult leave t'
field OF encounter rs victor all reasonable men VIII
say that he has only proved that he has better Pys
cal powers and better knowledge Of weapons INA" ""
opponent but that he has higher sense OF hool'
II he falls himself, who cannot see the aosu'""
Of this manner Of defending his honor'
1t IS true that few commit this crime from ignorance
or In general. 1t IS revenge which drives prOuu
and passionate men TO seek satisfaction In TINS way
II such men would only decide to be calm ana 10 SUI
nit themselves TO the will Of God-who commands ne
TO love one another as brothers, who fobids men 10
njure one another who condemns the passion Of re-
venge and retains Himself the right Of punishment
they could then easily the immoral custom oil
dueling.7
But it is no Just excuse adds His Holiness Tor
those who accept challenges say that they have done
so from fear Of being branded towards in case they
refuse u take their places the sO-called hed Oh
honor II the duties Of mankind were TO be regulated
by se public opinions, and not by the eternal law oil
the right and the good there would be no real amer
ence between eccentric actions and criminal deeds.
N'-N
and honest men should disregard the sOphstres Of the
masses The feeling which leads men TO abhor murder
and be mindful Of the welfare OF their fellows Is hoS
and commendabe. lie who disregards senselesS pup
lie oDini3p who exposes himself 10 the jeers Of the
masses rather than be untrue to his duty possesses
higher and oftier mind than he Who melted by some
insult reaches at once for weapons. Properly speak
ing the former man shows true bravery that bravery
l saw which is rightly called virtue. and which Is
for wed by no false Or undeserved glory Virtue, IL
must be remembered consists of the good governed oy
reason and glory Is vain which is not upheld by GOos
approval
The ienomny of duelllng is so apparent
continues the breve, Z" that the legislators OF our
time have found It necessarydcspte the fact tlat IL
i defended by mary personstO attach heavy penale'
10 it, practice 1t is to regretted however; In ths
connection that often lhOse who are supposed 10 re-
that laws are obeycd and culprits punished allow te
laws knowingly, 10 be evnded Thus II happs,s that
everywhere men, disregarding the majesty Oh 'e NV
can practise duelling with impunlty. ,..-,,o
The opinion of those people Is incomprehehslo 10
who believe that ciyiia should be preVGheu ron non
engaging I'm dues. but that soldiers should be allowed
do in order 70 strengthen thelf niddS spiI
and their bravery. Honorable things ana d'gt'el IL
things differ by ma ure. and cannot be made recpI'
What is wrO for one class Is wrong TOT an tter'
are subject alike to the Divine and natural laws Such
indulcence Of the soldiers could only be excused oy
the demands of the public welfare lhey, nonsner;
could never be enough TO pallate the dlsregrI
of natural and Divine laws Wnat: ho"SHer'
cry Should be directed toward defending the
state from its enemies. Can this be alden; nov nov
ever by n practice which. in case Of Quarts
between native soldiers allows one defender Oh MS
country to kill another -, -. dos,
are prone to pride ourselves upon our advances b In
education and civilization over the men or Otner
centnries 10 dcpreciate the value OF former instt-
tons, and to disregad-often too much-thngs TnlCn
do not bear the stamp OF modern tunes MY o'1 A.
i'm our efforts to reach the pinnacle Of civilization 90
we retain such ignoble remnants of bygOne ages ana
foreign barbarism2 -. l.. -,
IT viii be your duty. honorable brethren 70 I'M
press upon the people the truths which we nav, nave
mentioned 50 that they will not accept false opinions
regarding this question without reflection and VIII
| moi be Influenced by the false judgment OF wantOn
men See 10 it. especially. that Young men be early
taught to look upon the duel as the church wishes
them 10 look upon It. II has become customary mere
and there for Catholic young men TO abstain from
| ioining Improper societies. We wish them also "a
form unions and to promise under no circumstances
10 engage in duels. 49,
| I've earnestly pray that God will aid orr common
realized which we wish in the Interests Of public
| welfare and purity As sign 81 Gods grace and
As proof OF our favor hOnored brethren, we bestow
/ upon you the apostolic blessing"