Winchester Gazette

From Relf's Philadelphia Gazette.

DUELLING.

Odious, as in every point of view is the practice of resorting to murderous measures to settle personal or political disputes, we think its honorable rules are highly outraged in the case of which the following article, from the Democratic Press of yesterday, speaks.--It is perhaps the first instance, in the annals of honor, that newspapers became the seconds, or as is more fashionably denominated, the friends, in such a strife. The National Intelligencer, the Richmond Enquirer, the Washington City Gazette, several papers in New York, and now the Democratic Press, of Philadelphia, dole out their deprecations of the apprehended Duel.--Who are Col. Cummings and Mr. McDuffie, who suffer such a license of remark? Why is the President of the United States! (ridiculous) required to interfere? If these gentlemen thirst after each others blood, and are full-blooded duelists, they would spurn any interference, and settle the matter in twenty-four hours;--nay in one hour, or less. It is but the pull of a trigger, and the business is settled. One or both of them may go to their long account, unprepared, "unannealed,"--and he that might survive may drag out a miserable existence, with the reproach, constantly hanging on his soul, and even the mark that the first murderer carried about him.

"A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth."

From the Democratic Press.

"We are informed that the President has exercised his influence, and is using his personal good offices, to prevent the contemplated Duel between Col. Cummings and Mr. McDuffie, The interference does credit to the President. We hope it may prove effectual."