PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

Due/iitzg.
uf human lite Ina!teS this rule necessary; for I do not
see what other ide.) or definition of m!Jrder call be
admitted, txhich will !lot let in so much private vio·
lence, as to render socit.ty a scene of peril and bloodahed.
If unauthorized laws of honour be allou'ed to create
ex~eptions to divine prohibitions, there is an end
of all morality as founded in the will of the Deity ;
and the obligation of ev"ery duty nlay at one time or
other be discharged by tht. caprice and fluctuations
of fashion.
" But a sense of shame is so much torture; and
no relief presents itself other~ise than by an attenlpt
upon the life of our adversary." What then? The
di~tress which men suffer by the \Vant of money is
oftentimes extreme, and ne resource can be discovered
but that of removing a life, which stands between
the distressed person and his inheritance. The motive
in this case is as urgent:. and the means much
the ~ame, as in the former : yet this case finds no
advc'cate. -
TO!ke away the circumstance of thl duelli~t's exposing·
hi, own life, and it becomes assassination: add
this circumstance, and. '~That difference does it nlake ?
None but this, that fe\ver perhaps VJil1 imitate the
example, .1nd human life will be some\vhat more
safe, when it cannot be attacked without equal danger
to the aggressor's own. Experience, however,
proves that there is fortitude enough in most men to
undertake this hazard ; and were it otherwise, the
defence, at best, would be only that which a highwayman
or hou~ebreaker might plead, whose a.ttempt'
had been so daring and desperate, that few were
likely to repeat the same.
In expostulating with the duellist I all along suppose
his adversary to fall, Which supposition I am
at liberty to make, because, if he have no right to
kill his adversary) he has none to attempt h.