The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-01
FRANCES CODE DUELLO
THE GRADUAL DECAY AND DEGRA-
DATION OF MODERN DUELING.
The Last Fatal Duel Shielding ShnIxy
Reputations-A Stepping-stone to
Notorfety-Safe Duels.

for some interesting psychological study of
the workings of the public mind. For in
stance, at present public opinion is greatly
troubled by two notwithstanding and the
more friendly relations with Germany. OF
course, the question of dueling has come up
in consequence of the unfortunate death
of NJ. Hippolyte Pereher, who is better
known by his de plume. narry Ills.
He wrote great deal on colonial affairs,
and one of his articles about an African
concession gave offense to NJ. lie Chatelier,
director of the Society of the French Congo.
The two fought one of those duels which
usually terminate in a small scratch in the
forearm. This time, however, and probably
by accident, Harry Ais was pierced in the
side and died Immediately. So sudden a
death. under. such circumstances, has,
among other subjects for disputation, raised
the religious question. The Catholic Church
does not sanction dueling, and the unre-
penting duelist can not be buried in conse-
Grated ground. This canonical law has not
the least effect in checking modern duel
ing. First of ALL it hardly ever happens
that any one is killed; and, secondly, even
when fatal wound is received, the dying
man has generally time to say something
that is construed as an act of repentance.
But in this case, Harry Ais had only time
to exclaim 81 am killed." and he forth
with died. With all the good will in the
world, it seems if the clergy can not
translate the three words, Il am killed." as
meaning l am sorry to have committed the
sin of having fought in duel. Therefore,
a religious funeral is refused, and, theo-
reticaiIy, having died in the commlttal or
sin, and witnoue apsolution, Harry Alix is
condemned to eternal torment. On the other
hand, his adversary, M LIE Chateiler, VIII
obtain dissolution. Thus, according to these
theological arguments, the man who was
h, dor and nf0 mol
ment while the man who killed him can,
without obstacle, wend his way heaven
naturally deeply shocked the public sus-
capabilities. 1t is extraordinary that the
clergy. generally SO. skillful in sucn mat.
tiers, have not found some loophole out OF
the difficulty For my part, 1 should
have boldly argued that the exclamation, Il
Doubtless Do, the witnesses would have sworn
that this was not said in tone OF vain
glory or boastfulness, but with an accent
of regret and sorrow. AS a Journalist Harry
Ais may have shouted with his dying
breath, II am killed. as the latest item
ing strong even in DEATH but it is more
likely that this was an expression OF sur
prise at so unexpected result. Probably
the exclamation was tinged with a tone of
disappointment, which the clergy would
have done well to interpret as meaning
repentance, and establishing therefore a
claim to dissolution and burial in conse-
Grated ground. In all cases, II unbending
rigor is shown toward the man who. was
killed, equal sternneSS should be displayed
toward the person who killed him.
WOMAN'S EXAMPLE.
1t is certainly high time that dueling
should be forbidden. The very institution
has become corrupt and rotten. Formerly
there was some slight excuse for sdueling.
Duels were formerly really questions of
honor 1t was means by which, in polite
society, coarse abuse and personal assaults
were prevented. such language or such acts
lenge for duel, and leaving to the offended
party the choice of weapons. Also in graver
matters, especially where the honor of a
lady is concerned, it was urged that dueling
was the only means by which slur could
be effaced or injury punished. OF course
all this was very absurd. 1t is not because
some one has made improper advances to
your wife that therefore you must afford
that some an opportunity of lodging a
bullet into your head, or driving the point
of a sword through your body. Still there
was this to be said that, however UNJUST
and illogical this may seem to the civilized
human mind, it is the ordinary way such
disputes are settled by the various races of
animals that inhabt the world. We nave
all been kept awake by the noisy duel5
tom cats wage against each other. and most
of us have seen cock fights, or noticed male
SparrowS waging battle with each other on
the edge of a waterspout. AS two is COM
pany and three is none, the two who happen
to be of the same sex fight with each other.
Now, the advocates of women's rights, 1
was going to say, but it would be more cor
",
make point of this. In the world of the
lower animals the female fights. Female
dogs fly at each other. and hens in barn
yards are jealous of another's at
fractions that they fight hard till the OBJ
ject of their desires, the cock comes and
separates them. Mankind has initiated this
fashion, and till quite recently men who
quarreled about women fought with each
other. In this respect, women never sought
to initiate the lower animals. Women may
be rivals, but it has never occurred to them
to fight duels. From the first they Were in
f<1li -, hat .Jr,4I tI1<J
nothing at all; and in this, I take it, women
have proved themselves wiser and more just
result of duel could settle who was in the
right it would be quite q different matter.
But, if the institution of dueling in it
self was not sufficiently absurd, instead of
seeking to bring about the defeat of the
person who is in the wrong, every effort is
made to give each OF the contending parties
the same chance of success. Distances,
weapons, even skill in fighting, are, far
as possible, equalized, SO that the biggest
blackguard conceivable has just much
chance of killing his adversary, however
honorable and true the latter may be.
resorted to such clumsy expedient as this
for settling their differences.
DUELS AS AN ADVERTISEMENT
In France, at the present moment the
duel has fallen to much lower level than
all this. Human beings have contrived 10
fall lower than the mere animals of the
field Dueling has now become matter
and ready method of throwing veil
over shady, dishonorable transactions.
A man is down in the world: he tries to
raise himself by fighting duel with some
one who holds higher and better position.
No man will abuse the man with whom he
has fought. On the contrary, it is to his
interest to maintain that his adversary
was worthy of his sword. Nothing can
better lift a man up who has fallen some
what in the shade than duel with a per-
son of good reputation. Men who are on
the verge of being found out often escape
from disgrace by such duels If any one
hints that they have perhaps acted in Il
manner open to question, the answer is
that il such suspicious were founded a
certain gentleman, whose honor is beyond
all dispute, would never have fought duel
with the incriminated party or parties.
Again, If a scandal is about to be discov-
cred it can be smothered by promptly
challenging those persons who express
their suspicious. Many and many a time
have scandalous revelations been warded
off by suitable duel. Thus duels which
were formerly considered "a question of
honor have really become means of shield
ing dishonor.
Where a duel is not resorted to SO as to
stifie inquiry and possible damaging
revelations, it is utilized as a very effective
means of advertisement. A young politi-
clan or a budding journalist, as yet un-
known to fame. tries pick "A olarreI with