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Richard Bell On The Ethics Of Dueling

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In a recent article, Richard Bell argued that dueling was regarded as a form of suicide in the early American Republic, which was considered morally repugnant. Vocal anti-duelist reformers also rhetorically insisted the bloody contests were a unique “species of murder,” although “suicide became the motif of choice for reformers who worked to instill proper fear and disdain for a cultural practice that persisted on the margins of respectable society.” Following the 1804 death of Alexander Hamilton in his duel with Aaron Burr, there was a growth dueling deaths throughout the US. There was an explosion of dueling amongst American elites, particularly Army and Navy officers. As a result, a law was enacted prohibiting such action in 1806. However, …show more content…

This dishonorable attitude toward it can be seen in the aftermath of the Decatur-Barron duel. Crafts described the congressional proceedings as they related to Decatur’s death, “Mr. Randolph made a motion in congress this morning, that Congress adjourn until after the funeral, which will take place tomorrow, and wear crape during the remainder of the session out of respect to his memory[.]” Being a respected veteran of the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, it seemed only natural Congress would mourn his loss. Although, the depraved way in which he died caused House members to reconsider, according to Crafts, “the motion was opposed, on account of the manner of his death – and was afterwards withdrawn – Randolph then motioned to adjourn (leaving out the wearing crape) which was decided against the motion by nearly 2 to 1[.]” Bell chronicled Samuel Low condemning suicide, “he who is guilty of the desperate, unnatural and revolting act of lifting his hand against his own life, must either be influenced by some sudden and violent emotion of which,while it lasts, is a sortof or he is passion, insanity; truly insane, in the usual sense of the word.” It seems anti-duelist rhetoric had seeped into the halls of Congress and caused members to disassociate with individuals who had perished in duels, likely because it was seen as heavily taboo to honor a person who had essentially committed suicide. This is evident because two-thirds of the House of Representatives – an unmistakable plurality – refused to even wear a black crape in Decatur’s name, according to Crafts accounts. The public and political perception of the act of dueling equated it with the immoral and reprehensible act of

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