The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-28

The Issues Involved In the Challenge
Arms, Men and Money.
From the Irish (Dublin) Times. Feb 1871
Some time since we noticed that the Irish team,
who, as winners OF the Elcno Shield, are now the
champion shots Of Great Britain, forwarded
friendly challenge to the cute OF American rfemen
to compete against them on their own ground.
The Irish challengers stated that they would shoot
with the Rigby rines but they lett 1t open to the
Americans to use rifles Of any pattern or BORE pro-
vided they were manufactured bona fde by an
American maker. To this challenge the Americans
manfuiy responded without delay. They agreed
to compete against the famous Irish champions
at any range excepting that Of llo0
they had no range Of that extent to practise at.
General WIngate, Secretary OF the National Rifle
Association OF America, agreed to contend at
ranges OF $780, 900 and 900 yards. These terms
were agreed to by tue Conncii OF the Irish Rifle
ISOLATION yesterday The, international rifle
place IN the course OF tue coming autumn, and we
trust it will be followed by return match between
poymount. The contest, it IT," wli be- seen, is not
only between the best American marksmen and
the best irish champion shots, but between the
rifles made by John Rugby, OF Dublin, and those Of
the must celebrated American makers. 1t will be
no trivial honor should our team succeed in estab-
fishing the other side OF the Atlantic their own
fame as unrvalled marksmen, and the superiority
OF the Dublin Rlgby guns.
The Irish Association has displayed persever-
ance almost heroic against extraordinary DIM
cultes IL has hitherto been supported mainly by
the members themselves, with whatever friendly
assistance they received from the Duke OF Aber-
corn and Lord Spencer, both excellent rifle shots
themselves Each OF these nObemen presents a
valuable cup to be competed Tor annually, and they
have In many other ways encouraged the assOcia-
ton and proved their high appreciation OF the able
manner IN which it was managed by Major Leech.
Toe Irish rinemsn who had the spirit TO maintain
the credit OF their country at Wimbledon did
SO under circumstances which would have
spa In 1 England she 0 NsoDa Rne Assoc
citation Is supported, not alone by the gen.
tlemen OF England and by the volunteers,
Queen. Her Majesty every year gives prize Of
$50 guineas to be shot lor at Wimbledon. We have
to be selected from limited number OF gentlemen,
who contend for the sake OF the national credit,
and through their passionate love OF honor won by
science ana skill surely the Irish Association
ought to be generously supported. II the govern
ment will not permit us to have even q single
regiment OF national volunteers it should at least
contribute handsomely to the expenditure OF this
association. The Americans present fitting
dlous ride ground at Creedmoor, near New York,
where this international contest 1s to come
Oh, has been established since 1870, and
given by the United states government to aid in
the permanent establishment OF the institution.
spirited private gentlemen Ireland should carry
on the association forever by their own unaided
means and exertons The members must pur-
chase their own rnes buy their own ammunition,
spend much valuable time in practice, defray the
charges incident to the care and maintenance OF
their ranges, bear the expenses TO and from VIM
bedon or elsewhere, and actually purchase prizes
TO be shot for at the annual contests in Dublin.
We nope IL Is only sufficient to direct public atten-
ton to TINS depressing state OF things to secure
that fair heip and encouragement should be gwen
to our spirited and enterprlslng countrymen,
whose proves at Wimbledon Is rejected IRON
the glitterlng surface OF tnat famous shield which
is safely guarded in the Banquetng Hall OF the
Mansion House OF the City OF Dublin.
The International Challenge and Cor.
respondence.
The Irish tDublin) Times adds Tine following Is
copy OF the challenge sent TO America py Major
Leech and OF the reply received from the National
Rlne Association OF America
J. GORDON BENNETT, ESQ.,, New York.
SIR-ln matters OF enterprise your name occurs
10 me before any IN America most likely to
bring TO successful issue an international rine
match, which I beg to propose between ire.
land ana America AT the great rifle meet
Ing held annually at Wimbledon. a team OF
eight freshmen, shooting with Irish-made rifles.
tnls year beat the picked Fights OF England
anu ocoIlano AS the great American nation long
enjoyed Uorld-wlde reputation for skill in ride
shooting IT occurs to me that the enclosed chal-
iehge from irish riAemen now the champions OF
ureat britain, would be accepted, and, N so,
teaih Woud De organized TO Visit the United states
III the autumn OF 1874 enclose an account oil the
match AT Wimbledon and OF the proceedings on
the reception OF the Irish eight In Dublin. nave
the honor 10 remain your faithful servant,
OCTOBER 5 1873 ARTHUR b. LEIGH.
CHALLENGE TO THE RrFLEMEN OF AMERICA PROM
THB RIFLEMEN OF IRELAND, REPRESENTED BY THE
MEMBERS OF THE IRISH RIFLE ASSOCIATION.
Mr.. A. Blennerhassett Leech, founder In 1867 or
the Irish Ri0e Association. VIII select from the