Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-09-05
That Challenge Of T.. II. Pierce
and how it Came Out-An Apt
COmDariSOn.

To the Editor of the Kenaebee Journal:
the Hon. l. +. Hobson of Wiscasset, will, |
think, explain itself and need no introduce
ton:
Hon. l. T. Hobsoa
DEAR SiR.-Some time ago noticed in the
National Tribune a challenge, purporting to
emanaie from one +. r. Pierce. to "all the
world and the rest of mankind to discuss
financial questions with him. which challenge
was promptly accepted, on condition that the
meeting might take place within sixteen miles
of Boothbay harDor. (You see that having
no hopes of Office or of paying of my debts
in ''fiat" | have no money to spend in travel
ing) A short time after. Mr. Pierce came
here entirely unannOunced Ga Mr.. Perry had
been) and I was first informed of his pres
ence and professcd wish to meet me. at about
eight O'Clock in the evening. 1t unfortunate
ly happened on an evening when my engage
ments seemed an insuperable bar to nv en-
gazing in an evenings discussion. This.
however. less regretted when ! found that
his audience, when it was largest, consisted
of but fifteen voters, with few women. For
though expecting to be called out at any mo-
ment. | attended his meeting. heard all he
had to say and made short rcjoinder.
In conversation with Mr.. Pierce before the
meeting commenced, / informed him of the
circumstances which rendered it unadvisa-
bic for me then to undertake a formal even
ing's discussion. and asked him If it would
suit his convenience, at ANY time during the
campaign. TO come to Bath, Wiscasset or
Damariscotta, not thinking it necessary to
name any nearerpoint as surprising that would
be understood as included of course.
He said his engagements were such that
it would be impossble-that his next sue
ceeding appointments were respectively at
New Harbor (Bristol). Bremen and Wal
doboro'. Ito visit either of which places
from here, would cost as much or more
than to go to LewistOn.) but did not in
form me that a fourth appointment was at
Georgetown, about six miles from here, as
l have since learned was the case.
About a week ago | was informed that
Mr. Pierce was coming again, and assumed
that of course he was ''coming for me-
Last Sunday learned that you had been here,
and in conjunction with our leading "Green-
hackers" had proposed to some of our leading
Republicans TO arrange for joint discussion
between Mr.. Pierce and Mr.. Frye who was
announced to speak at North Boothbay the
same evening, quite ignoring me, apparently
as too insignificant an antagonist for Mr.
Pierce, who must he permitted to meet with
none but ''foeman worthy of his steel" OF
course, as | should have thought. might
have been anticipated by any reasonable man.
my friends positively refused to put so gross
an atfront upon me.
MIR. Remission told me that you told him
that if meeting could not be arranged be-
tween Mr.. Pierce and Mr.. Frye your cham
pion would be happy to meet Mr.. Smith. OF
course you conferred together after that, and
the result of that conference, as | now per-
ceive was the resolution to decline any dis
cussicn with the plebeian Smith and to cover
your retreat by assuming the lofty Goliah
tone-rather aqueer one for a hay-seed party.
| have noticed that the small fry of
greenback orators are now very fond of chal-
longing Senator Blaine, (of course not for
moment anticipating his acceptance) and then
the greenback papers charge that he covers
his unwillingness to engage the "mosquito
feet" by lofty assumption of superiority.
story told by all the bographers of Napo.
leon. just occurs to me. which so happily H.
lustrates the situation that cannot resist the
temptation to tell it.
When Napoleon was in Egypt, the English
feet blockading the coast was commanded bv
Captain Smith post Captain, think was
his rank.) Well, Captain Smith was Il very
able commander. gave great annoyance to
the French, and in fine was doing the Smith
family great credit, until he had the incon-
ceivable folly to send Napoleon challenge
to single combat. Now any one who could
think that Napoleon should have accepted,
and at once set forth. 'sword and pistol by
his side" to engage the doughty Captain.
might also think that Blaine should be ready
to accept a challenge from - DIR. Lam
caster.
Well, at any rate, ''Bony" didn't accept,
but sent Instead message to this effect
that, though not a professed duelst, he did
not know but he might be induced to engage
in single combat if he could have Pitt (then
Prime Minister of Eng,and) for an antago-
mist, and in the meantime he would be plea sed
to CRAFTY Capt. Smiths taste for single COM
bat by sending him grenadier.
| think all men Of sense will agree that
Capt Smiths challenge was in exceeding bad
taste.
But suppose Napoleon had published his
wish and intention to engage in single conn