The record-union., 1896-05-10
THE QUESTION OF THE DUEL.

The Fresno ''Expositor'' says the
Record Union" is frequently correct on
moral questions. Indeed? Is it to be i'm
piled that it is sometimes incorrect on
questions of morals? If SO we protest
that our contemporary is cruelty kind.
The "Expositor'' admits in response to
the Record Union that while dueling
iSia custom consonant only with the bar
baric, yet apologies for it under the
plea that there are matters affecting
honor in which legal redress is wholly
inadequate, at least among the French
and the Germans. Which is to say
that in those countries there are condi-
tions below the levels of high state of
civilization under which certain issues
demand the arbitrament of the Court of
Honor. These conditions will continue
it holds, under civil regulations remove
the necessity for dueling as a vindica-
tion of honor, which the law in a great
many cases does not protect
This is very pretty in theory, but it
would lead one irresistibly to the
conclusion that civilization in Germany
and France is not adequate to remedy
wrongs and satisfy grievances, a thing it
VIII hardly do to say to German or a
Frenchman. Nor would it be true. The
people of those countries boast of even
higher civilization than obtains in this
hemisphere. Their capacity to make
laws is equal to ours, and we have not
found that dueling is a necessity here.
So far as it obtains it is but the award
OF false chivalry, and a warped idea
OF courage and honor. If the laws in
France and Germany are inadequate
and render it necessary to establish a
high distinct court not recognized in the
statutes, the people alone are to blame.
1t does not appear in their history that
they have ever been obstructed in pro-
ducing enactments, the absence of which
the "Expositor" assumes they deplore.
The assumption that there is need for
methods of vindication other than those
provided by law, rests upon a false pre-
mise, for the duello does not vindicate.
How is it when the slanderer, the guilty
one is victorious in the combat? Is honor
In the law filed?
The truth is that the duel is the relic
of the wager of battle and a degenerate
one at that, since under that barbaric
system there was an appeal made to
God to favor the right In the duel vim
dication depends upon superior marks
manship, steadiness of nerve. or the
adroit turn Of the sword arm Our con-
temporary. taking into account the con-
ditions and the inadequacy of the law,
hnds 1t difficult to believe that In some
Instances the dueling practice is en-
tirely inexcusable. But as 1t is a mat
ter OF principle that is involved, it fol-
lows that If it is wrong to engage in the
all circumstances.
When one assaulted turns and in
stantly or soon, hogs the offender. or
attempts to chastise him, that is a very
dinerent matter, and even the law JUS
titles him frequently and the manly SEN
timent always, but the sending of the
challenge, the acceptance, the arrange
ment for the duel, the placing of the of
fender at as good advantage, and per-
haps better as the innocent and aveng-
tng-these do not move in the direction
Of righting wrong or wiping out an in
suit
"a" insults 3D." he assails the fair
fame Of his wife or sister. He discredits
the honor of "B" or impugns his integ
rity. Thereupon the two are stood up te
shoot at one another, but neither is hit
whereupon they leave the field and with
what result? Is the assault avenged, the
lie disproven, integrity cleared of stain
the insult retracted? Or "A" kills ''B.
Is the .atter's honor avenged. the wrong
done to him righted, the insult wiped
out? Therefore the duel does not ac'
complish the end at which 1t aims i
follpvs that It u as inadequate a. is tht