Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-04-01

AN "RONORABLE, NAN AND HIS FATE.

The young man Magruder, whom Judge
Brady yesterday sent to State prison for
| ten years, was one Of that class of per-
sons whose self-respect is so sensitive -
to make them always uncomfortable and
sometimes dangerous neighbors. Proud.
jealous and vindictive, they set up an r.
tifcial standard of manners and morals.
to which they adhere with the stubborn
ness of brutes. They are born out of sea-
son, and, If they only knew 1t, are IS Il.
diculous as Don Quixote was when he and
Sancho Panza went forth to do featS OF
knight-errantry.
When sMagruder was arrested he told
the officer that Lockwood had struck him
in the face In the presence of the young
woman to whom both were making love.
This, he said might not be justification
in law for his assault upon his rival, but
it was justification to himself. His HON
or had been wounded by the blow and 1t
must be avenged.
Magruder, on account of defective ed
ucation, may have thought himself to be
| speaking the truth; but If so he was self
deceived. Notwithstanding his swelling
talk Of honor. he is very vulgar rascal.
He provoked the quarrel which led to the
shooting, by his insolcnce, and afterward
|
day or two, and arming himself with. Q
deadly weapon, he went to- Lockwood's
chamber and shot at his unarmed rival
twice with great deliberation and in per-
feet safety. Then he strutted down stairs
and prated about his wounded honor.
The fundamental fallacy of his notion
Of honor lies deeper, however, than is
made apparent by the particular circum-
stances Of this case. Honor is not phys
ical quality at all, and If man provokes
q quarrel and gets beaten black and blue
from the top Of his head to the sole Of his
feet, his honor may still be as. unspotted
as before. Honor is affected alone by mo-
tives which lead to quarrel and the nor
al quality of the action which follows.
When Magruder went away and medita-
| ted murder, and when in cold blood he
shot an unarmed man, he hurt his honor,
and that was the sole injury 1t received.
Comparing him with the young ruffiaus
who assaulted with drawn knives a pass
enger on a Third avenue horse car, re-
Gently, and who, thanks to Judge Brady
and District Attorney Phelps, are already
consigned to State prison for fifteen years,
and accepting his own standard Of honor,
they are the more honorable persons.
There was Comparative bravery III attack
ing man on frequented avenue, and In
pursuing him as he fed into and off from
horse car. There was the chance Of
encountering policeman or some other
person with courage enough to lend ef8-
cient help to the assauhed man; and the
fact that no such person was found does
not change the probabilities. Mr.. Magru-
der ran no such risk, and his talk OF hon.
or is. therefore. the more despicable.
That Magruder has brought up in
State prison is proper episode in his ca
reer. If Lockwood had died he would
have been hanged. but Providence ap-
pears to have reserved him for the less
heroic punishment. Like common thief
or foot pad he goes into social oblivion.
and with more justice than a man who
steals or robs to get bread for his children.
A most contemplate rascal, he has at last
arrived at his appropriate position, where,
dressed in convict's garb, he will have
time and quiet in which to construct
new ideal OF ''honor. "-New York Post.