t a
point in the affairs of this nation more important than this very
practice of duelling,--considered as a point of honor in one part of
the Union, and a point of infamy in another,--with its consequences.
I say there is no more important subject that can go forth, North
and South, East and West; and I therefore take my issue upon it. I
have come here determined to do so between the different portions of
this house, in order to see whether this practice is to be
continued; whether the members from that section of the Union whose
principles are against duelling are to be insulted, upon every topic
of discussion, because it is supposed that the insult will not be
resented, and that 'there will be no fight.'"

Mr. Adams here called for the reading of "the act to suppress duelling;"
which the clerk having read, he proceeded:

"I was going on to say that the reason why I had brought this
subject into the discussion is because it is most intimately
connected with all the transactions in this house and this nation;
and because I think it time to settle this question between the
duellists and non-duellists, whoever they may be. I say that, in
consequence of my principles, and what I believe to be the
principles of a very large portion of the people in that part of the
country from which I came, I will not, as regards the approaching
administration, put myself under the lead of any man who considers
the duelling law in this district as having borne any bitter fruits
whatever. It may not, indeed, be sufficiently potent in its
operation to prevent the thirst for blood which follows offensive
words; but I believe it has prevented, and will prevent, any such
occurrences as we have witnessed here. But, as it bears upon the
affairs of the nation, I am not willing to sit any longer here, and
see other members from my own section of the country, or those who
may be my successors here, made subject to any such law as the law
of the duellist. I am unwilling that they should not have full
freedom of speech in this house on all occasions--as much so as the
primest duellist in the land. I do not want to hear perpetual
intimations, when a man from one part of the country means to insult
another coming from other parts of the country, as, 'I am ready to
answer here or elsewhere;' and 'The gentleman knows wh