The New York herald., 1874-09-17
ARRIVAL OF TEE IRISH RIFLEMEN.
o..sn+ion bv the Amateur Rifle Club-Crack
Shots and Distinguished Visitors-A
Lively International Contest at Hand

arrived here yesterday afternoon by the steamer
scotia They were accompanied by several dis
tinrushed visitors, and though their stay IN Ame-
r,ca NAV be somewhat limited, there Is reason TO
believe that their experience Will be profitable to
all hands. The TACT is that no event in
the history OF rifle shooting has claimed larger
share OF public attention, both here and in Great
Britain and Ireland, than the approaching strug-
GLE IN which the crack shots OF America
and Ireland are to engage. Should the gal
liant sons OF Erin sustain defeat, which
by the way is a matter not yet definitely
settled, their pluck in crossing the ocean
to try their powers at the target VIII
sssuredly merit graceful recognition rom tner
unerring brethren on this side OF the stream.
Howbeit this event is matter Of mutual nope
and congratulation, ana the nooe maxim that the
best man wins Will never have received happier
Illustration when the target has been banged for
the last time 1t is fair and square engage
nent partly in love. and of course
little reputation VIII step in. There is no doubt
Columbia taxes some pride in ner rlfemen, while
Mrs Erin thinks that her boys know thing or
two aoout gun. At all events two big nations
are looking forward to magnificent display OF
craftsmanship, and millions or people viii read
the result WITH Joy or regret
THE PROBABILITIES.
II were IDLE at this late day to assume that be-
cause the Irish marksmen have been successful
elsewhere-have, IN TACT, blinded herd OF bulls,
80 10 speak-that our nemen should have any
thing to fear There are such things as steadiness
and courage in rife shooting, and the recent rec
ord at Creedmoor inspires the hope that the ap-
preaching contest will, a. all events, merit
an honorable mention in the history OF all
international rife shooting matches. Home
tests excite not half the interest or curiosity
NH het
whatever the issue may be- it is generally assumed
that where peaceful contest is carried
between two nations the result is awaited
with q feeling OF intense uneasiness. Who
will win the match, the American or the Irish
rihemen This wlll OF course, be the absorbing
topic for days among those who take any interest
IN the noble sport. 1t Is useless al this hour to
dwell on the probable merits OF the respective
teams The record Of the Irish marksmen, which
has been published time and time again,
speaks for itself, while that OF their COM
petitors bears simply the stamp OF increasing
skill. That the Amateur Rifle Association have
exercised a sound discrimination in the selection
of their men there can be no doubt, and the con-
test Will therefore be awaited with additional in
terest, In the hope that should defeat mark their
efforts there will be little room left for reflection.
THE ELCHo SHIELD.
1t may be mentioned, by the way that
when the volunteer movement In England
brought forth Wimbledon and its variety or
annual rife matches, Ireland as a country
was excluded from participation in them
Those of Irish birth, 1t appears, might shoot at
Wimbledon, but they might do so only as the repre-
sentarives of some English or Scotch association.
1t is now about twelve years since the
British National Rine Association was organ
ized and despite repeated appeals, the claims
he 10 WI pre tuOo
But at length they were admitted TO the lists and
carried OF the Echo shield IRON their English
and Scotch competitors by one OF the highest
scores ever made on Wimbledon Common. And
lp this connection it is but Just 10 mention that
great deal OF the credit OF this victory is due to
Major Leecn,. the Captain OF the Irish
team, who, \n his challenge to Ameri-
can rlhemen through the HEgALD, dated
October 8, 1878, desired to draw the attention Of
the American people to the fact that the laws OF
Great Britain forbid the formation in Ireland OF
rife corps similar to those which existed In great
numbers in England and Scotland, and that any
skill acquired by Irishmen in rife shooting was
the result OF individual exertion under difficulties
srising from dlscouraging legislation.
HARD LINES.
Another fact worthy passing notice Is that the
gentlemen who may be selected for the coming
contest do not claim to represent Ireland In the
sense of considering themselves the best rinemen
the country could produce For reasons best
known on the other side OF the Atlantic
ireland Is, TO a certain extent, permanently
disarmed, and the mere fact OF any person
possessing firearms in proclaimed district
True, under certain restrictions, gentlemen OF
property may carry gun, and 1t is from among
these lew thai we now have IN New York
the famous Irish Team. Should they be de-
leated-and there Is no knowing how many
times the Dull's eye may wink on either
side-aowance will doubtless be made ior
the DISTINCTIONS placed In the way OF
rlnemen by the British government With all the
disadvantages however, it Is surprising what re-
markabe scores they have made, and IN time
should all the gallant irish marksmen be allowed
10 nre away, there IS reason to believe that all the
bulls will be blind OF an eve throughout the coun-
try. Yet should sterling irish bulls die IRON the
WOUNDS, farewell TO honest humor.
THE IRISH TEAM BOUND WEST.
the departure OF the irish team awakened the
lyeliest antclpatlons, both here and abroad.
with the kndhest wishes OF their countrymen-to
say nothing OF the most encouraging encomiums
OF the press-the team, accompanied by a party
allke representative Of MOBILITY and the municipal
authorityof an historical old city, left Queenstown
on the 5th inst. Inc challenge OF the Irlshmen had
been issued with characteristic manliness, IL was
responded TO with genuine American pluck. The
terms were simple and they were promptly agreed
upon. The Amateur Rife Club or this cIty ACCENTED
IL. 1t must, moreover, pc borne Ia mind that the
main object OF this club was to encourage the
practice OF rife shooting and having sgnified ils
consent to contest the international Champion
ship, sent circulars through the country inviting
the best shots to come forward and practice in
leeted. Now II the circular has met with but little
response outside OF New YORK the fault can.
not be laid at the door Of the Amateur
Rife Club. True, this club has had the
moral support OF the National Rife Asso.
citation, which is supposed to include among
ITS members the best rife shots In the country
but she credit OF bringing about this international
rontest belongs to the Amateur Rife Club alone
BRIGHT LOOKOUT.
The arrangements were some time ago agreed
upon, and everybody knows that Creedmool
month. a The arrival Of the irish team
was on all occasions the prominent topt
OF conversation; their fame had preceded
them, ana the means and ways 10 defeat them =
In other words, the best shots that the countr
could furnish formed the theme Of discus
sion. At special meeting or the Executiv
Committee OF the Amateur Rife Club 10
the purpose OF selecting team I
compete with their Irish competitors in the comm
international match the following Renteme
were chosen :-Henry Fulton, Lieutenant Colohe
II. A. Gndersleeve, General Thomas +. DaKin, H.
Hepburn George W. Yale, J. T. b. Collins, Colone
Jonn Bodlne. A. A Andersnn the reSe rYes bein