Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1874 — Sermon on Dueling. [ARTICLE]

Sermon on Dueling.

We have a natural prejudice against “ pistols and coffee for two!” It was born in us and we can’t help It. On that point we are constitutional cowards, especially the “constitutional.” The practice is revolting, not only to our ideas ofi-per-sonal safety and general security of the J flesh, but also to our aspirations to serve our countrymen in offices of prominence, of profit and of trust. We could never willingly consent to place.ourselves in a position where we could not gratify the doting populace by consenting to serve them in any position that affords a firstclass salary. Self-sacrifice except on the field of honor ii one of our prominent characteristics. Our philanthropy is also a matter in which we feel peculiar pride. The word means love of man, and in casting about us we are persuaded that we do love man generally. But as we are a man uuwhom we feel rather a special interest, we have too high a regard for him to risk his life .orlimb at the point of a Derringer or a double-barreled shot-gun.. The fact is, it would not be right, and certainly would not be constitutional. We have a constitutional respect for the fundamental law, as well as a constitu

tional indisposition to take such physio as a leaden pill with charcoal and salt' peter powder as a remedy for out wounded honor. “The remedy Is worse than the disease,” and by some physician# is regarded as really dangerous. As our friend Judge Cecil, from Tazewell, who, though professing to be from the “ oulsquirts of civilization,” carries a level head, said about the shell in the war, “I* skeers us!” It is not only disagreeable but it is against the law, and what It more it is against the Gospel .—Richmond Enquirer.