Walkerton Independent, Volume 53, Number 47, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 19 April 1928 — Page 7

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4 By ALFRED SORENSEN A TA dinner party given in London in

1772 by General Oglethorpe, who took quite a prominent part in the , settlement of Georgia, a discussion l arose over the question whether ^duelling was consistent with moral duty. Dr. Samuel Johnson, who was one of the guests, maintained that a man had d right to defend his honor. Turning to Boswell, his biographer, he asked: “What would

you do if you were affronted?” “I should think it necessary to fight,” was his reply. “That solves the question,” said^Gpldsmith. “No, sir!” emphatically declared Johnson, “it does not follow that what a man would do is therefore right. He who fights a duel does not tight from passion against his antagonist, but out of self-defense to avert the stigma of the world, and to prevent himself from being driven out of society. I could wish there were not that superfluity of refinement; but while such notions prevail no doubt a man may lawfully fight a duel.” Henry Clay, who fought two duels—one with Humphrey Marshall, and the other with - John 'Randolph— held virtually the same opinion as (Doctor Johnson, and advocated the passage of a bill by the United States senate against duelling. He admitted; .however, that “the man with a high sense of .honor and nice sensibility, when the question is whether he shall fight or have the finger of scorn pointed at him, is unable to resist; and few, very few, are found willing to adopt such an alternative.” During the days of chivalry in the southern states it. required great moral courage not to accept a challenge, and there were very few refusals. John Randolph, whose duel with Clay was a bloodless affair, was challenged several times, but declined owing to “religious scruples.” When he stood in front of Clay his hair-trigger pistol was accidentally discharged, muzzle downwards, before the word to fire was given. In the second round Clay missed his mark, and Randolph fired up in the ^iir. Thereupon they “made up” and shook hands. Randolph was frequently branded as a coward, and was once publicly “posted” by Gen. James Wilkinson in the following insulting language: “In justice to my character I denounce to the world John Randolph, member of congress, as a prevaricating, base, calumniating scoundrel, poltroon and coward.” Notwithstanding this great provocation, as well as others of a like character, Randolph stood firm in his determination not to engage in “affairs of honor.” In replying to Wilkinson’s challenge Randolph concluded his note by saying: “I cannot descend to your level. This is my final answer.” This was the cause of Wilkinson’s vitriolic “posting” of the congressman from Virginia. In 1785 Gen. Nathaniel Green twice declined to accept a challenge from Captain Gunn of Georgia, who thereupon threatened to personally assault him. But Gunn failed to carry out his threat as General Green sent him word that he Was prepared to defend himself as he always carried pistols. Gen. Sam Houston turned down several challenges. “If they quarrel with me that is their privilege,” said he, “but I shall try to take care that they do me no harm.” Fabius Stanley and Zechariah Johnston, United States naval officers, had a misunderstanding in 1850 and the former sent the latter a challenge. Johnston refused to fight, thereupon Stanley “posted” him as a coward in a Washington hotel, and was court-martialed and dismissed from the navy. General Harney, whose courage no one ever doubted, was challenged by General Summer, but instead of accepting he had the moral stamina to have the challenger court-martialed. In 1884 John S. Wise, member of congress from Virginia, in replying io those who expected him to resent some severe newspaper assaults by fighting a duel w’ith Page McCarty, said: “McCarty’s abuse of me has no more effect than a dog barking at the moon. His invitation comes too late. Time has been when I might have been fool enough to indulge in such folly, but with age, and with a broader view of life and its responsibilities, I have bidden farewell to the McCarty type of manhood.” Sir Walter Raleigh, after he had killed several men in duels, and had declared that he would l never fight again, was challenged by a young man to whom he replied. “If I could as easily wipe from my conscience the stain of killing you as I can this spittle from my face you should । not live another minute.” Although duels, in various forms and with rules differing from time to time, date back to remote ages, *when the memory of man runneth not to the contrary,” it was not until early in the Sixteenth century of the Christian era that duelling was adopted in Europe as a method of settling so-called “affairs of honor” in accordance with an established code. So prevalent did duelling become in France that Louis XIII issued an edict against the practice and sent many duellists to the scaffold. This severity, however, did not much abate the sanguinary encounters, but early in the reign of Louis XIV quite a number of |

North Africa Reports First Comet of Year

The first comet of 1928. which will be known, therefore, as comet 1928a, has been found by an astronomer named Filippoff at the French observatory at Algiers, in northern Africa. Announcement of this discovery has just reached the Harvard College observatory, according to Dr. Harlow Shapley, director. When discovered, on January 28 the new comet was in the constellation of

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noblemen, whose courage was unquestioned, made a compact to refrain from the lighting of duels. Their stand caused a falling oil in these combats, and in 1644 Louis XIV organized a court of chivalry to pass judgment on “affairs of honor,” which up to that time bad been settled by a resort to arms. Today there is a law in France making the killing in a duel punishable as a homicide. In recent years duels have been of rare occurrence in France, generally resulting harmlessly and regarded as a joke carried out for notoriety. In the United States—especially in the South and in California —duels were very common up to the close of the Civil war, army and navy officers and politicians being the most frequent participants. Today, however, a meeting to “shoot it . out” on the “field of honor'' is an unheard-of event and would be a front-page sensation. One of the most determined and desperate duels ever fought in the United States was that in which DeWitt Clinton and John Swartout exchanged shots five times. It was the result of differences and bitter quarrels between the political followers of Clinton and the adherents of Aaron Burr. DeWitt Clinton was admitted to the bar of New York at an early age, and immediately entering the school of politics he became an apt pupil under the tutorship of his uncle, George Clinton, Republican leader and governor, who made him his secretary and appointed him to other secretarial positions. George Clinton was a deputy in the New York provincial congress; a brigadier-general in the Continental army; was successively elected governor of New York from 1777 to 1795; then served in the legislature; was again elected governor in 1800; and was made vice president of the United States in 1804, filling that office until his death, eight j^ars later. DeWitt Clinton rose rapidly to eminence and power in the Republican party, and had fully as distinguished a career as his talented uncle. When he was twenty-eight years old he was elected a member of the loweir house of the legislature, and the following year he became a state senator. From that time to the end of his life he was, with brief interim;, a continuous office-holder. He was United States senator from 1801 to 1803, when he resigned to! accept appointment to the office of mayor of New York city. After serving four years in this position he was removed, but was reappointed two years later. He was again put out of this office in 1810, but was reinstated and continued to (serve as mayor until 1815. ’ Clinton was an unsuccessful Presidential candidate in 1812. From 1811 to 1813 he held the honorary office of lieutenant-governor, and in 1817 he was elected governor; was re-elected in 1820; declined to be a candidate ftwo years later; and was again elected in 1524 a|nd in 1826. His brilliant and remarkably successful career was cut short by death while still in office. ■ Clinton was a public-spirited citizen. At the very beginning of his career he was an earnest advocate of public improvement. It was owing to his efforts that the Erie canal was built, and this great achievement added much to his popularity. Clinton and Burr became engaged in fierce political disputes in which offensive personalities were the outstanding features. John Swartout. an intimate friend and defender of Burr, became more or less mixed up in the quarrels of the two leaders. Swartout, who had himself been hard hit by

Gemini, the twins. It was of the eleventh magnitude, too faint to be seen without telescopic aid, and its position, in the astronomical equivalents of latitude and longitude, was 6 hours, 24 minutes and 56 seconds right ascension and 20 degrees 1G minutes north declination. It is reported as having very slow movement, thus indicating that it is at a great distance from the earth. After two

more observations have been made astronomers will be able to compute its orbit and tell whether or not it is likely to become visible to the naked eye. A Mammaplane Last summer when Charles A. Lindbergh was making so many flights over the National road. Josephine, a little seven-year-old girl, eagerly watched for the one especial plane carrying him. Her mother explained to distinguish that plane, that it

1 r D Clinton’s vituperative references, took up an active defense of Burr and charged that Clinton's vicious attacks were based on personal ami selfish motives. Thia angered Clinton, who do nounced Swartout as n liar, a scoundrel and a i villain. Such vilifying epithets were more than Swartout could stand ami he accordingly challenged Clinton, who promptly accepted. The shooting match took place In 1802 on the ground at Weehawken, N. J., where the famous duel between Burr and Hamilton was held In 1804, and where Hamilton's s<>n had been killed In a duel in 1801. On reaching the designated spot Swartout demanded that Clinton should sign a written apology. Clinton Indignantly refused to i do anything of the kind. Just before taking their I places Clinton remarked: "I wish I had the principal here.” He referred to Burr, who. if he had stood before Clinton at that meeting, might not have lived to kill Alexander Hamilton. Swartout was seconded by Colonel Smith, ami Clinton by Kiehard Hiker. The first shots were harmless. Hiker, in accordance with the instruction of his principal, now requested Colonel Smith to ask Swartout if he was satisfied. “I am not.” was his answer. Another exchange of shots were made wit Inuit effect, and again Swartout was not satisfied. A third exchange resulted without injury, and Swartout. upon being again asked If he was satisfied, replied: “I am not. and 1 shall not be until the apology is made which I have demanded.” His defiant attitude was certainly | that of Macbeth who shouted: “Lay on, Macduff! And d—d be him that first cries ‘Hold, enough!'” The prepared apology, dictated by Swartout. was again presented to Clinton for his signature, with the declaration flat If he refused to attach his name the fight must go on to the finish. Clinton declined to sign any paper regarding the matter in dispute, and said that “he had no animosity against Mr. Swartout and would willingly shake hands and agree to meet him on the score of former friendship.” This friendly offer was declined and the combatants resumed their positions and tired the fourth shot. This time Swartout was wounded in the left leg. about five inches below the knee. He was not disabled and insisted upon proceeding with the contest, I saying that it was useless to ask him to quit. At this stage of the affair Clinton once more asserted that lie entertained no animosity. Furthermore, he stated he was sorry for what had occurred, and then offered to shake hands and forget the past. While this conversation was in progress, the attendant surgeon extracted the bullet from Swartout’s leg. For the fifth time he faced Clinton, and was again wounded in the left leg, a few inches above the ankle. Still standing, and determined as ever. ’ ho called for another shot. Thereupon Clinton ' refused to comply, and walked away. Swartout I Said he was much surprised at his action in ■ neither apologizing nor affording full satisfaction/' While Clinton was in the United States senate he became involved in another “affair of honor.” In the course of an animated debate he had used language that was offensive to Senator Day ton of New Jersey, who was a friend of Burr. The next day Dayton sent him a challenge which was accepted without any long-winded correspondence. They met on October 24, 1803, and upon Clinton making a satisfactory explanation and offering an apology the duel was called off. Two years after this incident Swartout fought a duel with Riker, who was severely wounded. Riker became a judge of the city recorder’s court of New York, and served on that bench for I many years. Early Recreation Spots The earliest form of a public preserve devoted to outdoor recreation in the territory of the present United States was a city park, Boston common, acquired in 1634. The next example of public action of this kind covered a field related to that at present usually held by state agencies the reservation to the people for “fishing and fowling,” by an ordinance of the Massachusetts Bay colony in 1641, of “great ponds,” water surfaces of ten acres or more. The first state park of larger size, set apart primarily for recreation, was one which is now a famous national park. Yosemite. Congress ceded it to California in 1865^ and later it was returned to federal control.

would have />ne pair of wings, a monoplane. Very often Josephine would come running with: “Oh! mother, there he is; It’s a mammaplane.” Finally her ’ mother said, “Jo, just what did you say?” “Why, a mammaplane.” and at the laugh that followed. Jo said: “Well, the ones with two wings are papaplanes, aren't they?” Bones of at least 2,000 hippotamuses killed by prehistoric hunters were found in a single eave in Sicily.

Louvain Library Soon to Be Open to World The new $1,000,000 Louvain University Library building, replacing the old one which was destroyed by fire in the first*month of war, is nearly completed. The monumental building, most of the funds for which were collected In 700 universities in the United States, is built in the Flemish renaissance style, and is expected to be ready for occupancy by July. With a facade of 200 feet and a depth of 150 feet, the new library has a 275foot tower. In this will l>v housed a four-octave carillon, a huge bell to be christened “Liberty,” and a four-dial clock, the war memorial gift of the New York Engineering foundation. The racks have a capacity for 2.000.000 volumes and are distributed over eight floors. In addition to the main reading room, which can accommodate 400 students, there are 25 smaller rooms set apart for special studies and lectures. Among the 750,000 vol umes already in the library are nu merous contributions from nearly every university and scientific Institu tion. Exploring Salt Mines Opened Centuries Ago Salt mines that were operated on an extensive scale, with very "modern' shafts, tunnels and drifts, more than 500 years before Christ, have lately been explored near Hallstadt, Austria, by Dr. Adolph Mahr of the Vienna State’museum. In addition to know! ■ edge of the mining methods of these | prehistoric men of the early Iron age. ■ the exploration yielded also numerous I articles of leather and wood, well preserved against decay during the ages bj their burial in salt. These finds J Included pick handles, torches, wedges, , mine timbers, felt caps, shoes of wood. । leather and felt, leather hand protec- . tors and many other articles. The exploration was backed bv two Americans, I'rof. F. W. Bade of the University of California and Major Gotshall. Full of Purpose , Fond Mother—l am going to make an artist of my little boy. Friend—Has lie any special aptitude for that profession? Fond Mother—Oh. yes. He can go three days without eating.—Boston j I’ost. WOMEN GETTING BALD The next five years will show women with Bald Heads, or going in that direction. Men attribute It to Heredity. What will the women say is the cause for it? Thousands of young men bald, or going that way. who had no need for getting bald or even scarce ol । hair. You surely can give one or two i minutes each day to take care of your ’ hair. This is all the time required. ' You owe this to Nature, as It was given to us in the beginning by Nature. Grow hair on your Bald Head. Grow new hair, destroy dandruff by improving the condition of the scalp which feeds the hair. Then you have the problem solved. Forst s Original BARE TO HAIR Is not a tonic, but is a scalp fertilizer and germicide. The results from its use has really created its own demand over the entire country. Literature ) and information sent upon request. W. H. FORST Discoverer and Manufacturer Scottdale, Penna. Sounds Like It Grim—Does your wife speak more : I than one tongue? | Shaw—Speak more! Sometimes I i । think she has more. f Every sweet hath its sour, every I evil its good.—Emerson.

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Woman in New Field Although not yet old enough to vote. Miss Mable Weller, twentythree. has passed examinations in London which make her the first woman qualified as a ship-broker in England. A ship-broker’s duties require the negotiating of cargoes for steamers throughout the world, the bearing of responsibility for discharging of cargoes. the entering Into arrangements with captains and crews of all na ticnalities and the employment of technical knowledge of all classes of ships and markets in the world. Miss Weller began her career in this man-directed field as a clerk in a London ship-broker’s firm. Dinner Call The Brady family recently dined with a frigid. The capable maid in the household announced dinner by stepping to the living-room door ami saying: “Your victuals are cooked.” The voluble three-year-old Brady a few days later was asked by her i mother to tell the family that dinner was ready. The child rushed to the living room and said: “Your skillets are done cooking.”—lndianapolis News Styles in Handwriting A study by Leonard P. Avres < showed that from a point of view of I legibility handwriting styles may be classified as follows: Vertical—that • is. slanting—from 90 to 80 degrees: ! medium slant, from 80 to 55 degrees, and extreme slant, from 55 to 30 de : grees. It’s a Question Apartment Hunter—How much is this apartment with the piano? Manager — Let’s see — would you mind playing it first, please?

The Question Mrs. Pryor—l heard this morning that Mrs. Shrill has completely lost her voice. * Mrs. Guyer—Goodness gracious ’ Why how will she ever- get. anythin'? to wear, my dear? —New Bedford Standard. BEST WAT TO KILKRats aa dMice Always Use % Stearns’Electric Paste • Sure Death to cockroaehea, vaterboss, etc. 1 Used by housekeepers for 50 years 1 • Directions in 15 languages. AH Dealers 2 or. 35c —15 oz. $1.50 Money Back if it fails And Sprinkle in the Foot-Bath x ALLEN’S FOOT=EASE The Antiseptic, Healing Powder for tired, swollen, smarting, sweating feet It takes the friction from the shoe, prevents blisters and sore spots and takes the sting out of corns and bunions. Always use Alien’s Foot-Ease for Dancing and to Break in New Shoes. Sold everywhere. In a Pinch, Use Allen’s Foot-Ease But Very “Water is a splendid cleaning agent if applied sparingly.” says the Woman’s Home Companion household editor. “Yes.” replied the caustic observer. “tramps discovered this years ago.”