New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-25
THE AMERICAN DUEL.
Name GiUen to q Horrible Custom IN
Germany.

Nothing could he more inconsistent with
Germary's claim to a foremost place in modern
civilization than the fact that her social life has
been dsfigured by the most revolving Instances
of the brutal custom of duelling which have hor-
rifed humanity in recent times says The
King" only a short time since particularly
shocking instance occurred, when a young OFF,
Ger, on the eve Of his marriage, was dragged
from his wedding festivities to fight comrade,
to whom, under the influence of drink. he had
quite unwittingly offered some trivial fOut His
comrade was perfectly ready to accept his of
fered apology. but certain bloody minded
peviors. with the countenance of the colonel of
the regiment, formed themselves into court
Of honor and decided that the young men
must fight. They did SO, and the unhappy
bridegroom fell mortay wounded. And this
cruel and atrocous crime is chargeable against
the social institutions of country which. dur
ing the South African war claimed the right to
exercise censorship over others in the inter
ests Of humanity The punishment inflicted
by the Kaiser upon the authors of this atrocity
was swift, but wholly inadequate where moth
ing short of the capital penalty was demanded.
'Of all the devices which mans lower nature
has conceived for the extinction of his fellow
man, the most grewsome deadly and difficult to
repress is that known the American duel.
In Germany especially. this has been, and still
which every ordinary cause is wanting. Moth
ing more is needed than for men, who have
decided that of them must die in settlement
of their dispute. TO meet in the presence of sec
onds for the spin OF 4 coin, a cast With dice, or
some other form of lottery.
The loser at this horrible designation is
there and then placed under an obligation to
destroy himself within stipulated period and it
becomes the duty Of his seconds to see that the
compact is fulfilled. For strong. active man
still in love with life TO be suddenly confronted
with this awful necessity for self-effacement is
to add a surprising horror to the final doom or
Some little while since friend of the writer
was seated in big opera house in German
town His gaze attracted to neighboring
box in which an officer was seated alone. He
a handsome young fellow, with almost a
boyish face. But in spite of the general gayety
of the scene an expression of such utter hope
lessness and depression of soul was visible on
his features that the compassion and interest Of
the observer were deeply stirred.
by chance he discovered next day an ex-
PLANTATION of what had interested him. II had
been the boys last night on earth. which he had
spent a the opera alone AfterWard he had re-
turned to his quarters. and there, with pistol,
had, in honor bound, put termination to the
existence which still pleasant and dear TO
him. The ordinary suicide may be weary Of life
or mentally deranged, but IN such cases as the
above there is a reversal Of such conditions
which terribly intensifes the horror of such
exit from the world.
An even more horrible instance Of the above
and Germany is again the scene. whom
the turn of a card had consigned to self
slaughter within a period of twelve months
WaVered in his resolution. He had fallen in
love. and the influence of this passion inspired
him with a and stronger desire for life. He
even married, and sent appealing letter to
his adversary. begging that he would mercifully
release him from the fatal obligation under
which he placed. The reply a chilling
reminder Of his honor and Of his bond. Still he
could not bring himself to part with all that
had become so dear TO him, but unfailingly and
at regular intervals arrived the ilI-omened de-
mand for the life which not his own. The
persistence OF his bloody minded adversary at
last succeeded in preying upon his mind, and
one night the unhappy man wrote a farewell
letter to his wife. and sent bullet through his
head.
while such hideous customs disfgure the
social life of German friends they will do
we'll to adopt a less critical attitude toward
others And if the Kaiser devoted himself to
the eradication Of this stigma from the present
generation of his countrymen he would do far
more TO deserve the gratitude of posterity than
by any triumphs in the political arena or the
achievement of vast naval ambitions"