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« Guns in Mexico | Main | Rep. Deutch is a little behind the curve... »

Interesting background to the Framers of the 14th Amendment

Posted by David Hardy · 19 March 2011 06:06 PM

From Paul Kirchner, "Dueling with Sword and Pistol":

Prior to the Civil War, Sen. Ben Wade (R-Ohio) said something on the floor which was deemed insulting to Sen. Robert Toombs (D-Ga), and a friend told Toombs, "you must challenge the old wretch!" Toombs replied, "No, I mustn't, for that old wretch is the deadliest shot in the District. Wade and I have been out practicing many times together, and he can hit a ten-cent piece at thirty paces every time, and to tell you the truth, sir, I cannot!"

· 14th Amendment

5 Comments | Leave a comment

Ken | March 20, 2011 11:15 AM | Reply

An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life.

Emil | March 21, 2011 7:33 AM | Reply

As means of settling interpersonal disputes, dueling has a lot to recommend it. First, trifling matters someone is unwilling to die over would get resolved with an apology. Second, once a duel takes place you are either eminently pleased with the results or not in a position to bitch.

You will note that early in the 19th century, as lawyers found they could make careers in state legislatures, they started to pass laws against dueling.

As a consequence of that amazing bit of forward thinking, the principles now hire attorneys who sue and countersue until both parties run out of money. Nothing is truly resolved but attorneys enjoy a positive cash flow.

btr | March 21, 2011 7:54 AM | Reply

Duelling is based on the cultural belief that it is okay to kill someone for insulting you.

That cultural belief is still one of the main reasons certain segments of the USA continue to suffer from a high murder rate.

Anonymous | March 21, 2011 8:44 AM | Reply

I would argue that legalizing and codifying duels would reduce the murder rate, by giving people a controlled outlet to resolve otherwise unsolvable interpersonal issues. Should one not endeavor to channel human behavior instead of denying it's unfortunate tendencies?

Rich | March 21, 2011 8:58 AM | Reply

BTR is right to a certain extent and anonymous has a good suggestion but my gut says those you this is directed towards would not take that route as the out come is to iffy. Much better to drive by shooting everything in sight.

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