Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-12
CALLS HIM A COWARD.
Congressman Phelan Shows Himself Expert
With the Pen as Well ms the
sword-He Justifies His
WnrIiIr Chnl

WASHINGTON, April 11.-Representa-
tive Phelan has written card for publica-
tion in which, after giving history of the
origin of the trouble between himself and
Colonel Fleming, he says:
1t struck me when 1 read Colonel Fleming's
letter to the Memphis paper that he said one Of
the two ideas in his mind. either that my scrupu-
lous politeness was founded upon fear of him.
OF that he was determined to force di fficulty
He spoke of my apology as having "all the
outward seeming of a manly apology" He
says. however that "read according to its true
inwardness il is quite as insulting and dishonest
as the one for what 1t is offered as an apology.
He says: You must pardon me for saying
that i regard this latter note as but a crafty
device" etc. As soon as 1 read this letter
sent him message which it seemed to me his
letter was intended to provoke. 1 addressed
this personally to him. / expected a reply
which would be challenge to me or enable me
TO send him challenge, for my message was
not challenge. Colonel Fleming, however
lished it.
From one who had seemed SO anxious to-
force me 10 the wall l did not expect the plea
that he Ignored ''the code" Now do NOT nm
dertake TO defend the so-called code IFS bar
barity is still an issue between England and the
entire continent of Europe. l frankly confess
can hnd no more excuse for ''the code, than
for anything else which leads to violence or
personal injury. But have never been able to
see the moral distinction between doing another
a malicious mischief forbidden by the laws of
God and offering an expiation forbidden also
by the laws of man. But do regard its laws
as purely conventional, and only binding on
those who voluntarily assume them. / have
the highest admiration for the moral COURAGE
of man whose whole life of Justice to Others
and upright intercourse with his fellow men
Justify him in repudiating resort to violence
But when Reputation of ''the code" is used as
a shield to protect one who is anything but lust
TO others, and when the oyerbearing, the mali
clous and the domineering, Unexpectedly
checked in the roll OF bully cry out against il
I naturally imagine that the fear of injury to
the person and the impulse of cowardice invest
the so-cslled code" with degree of barbarity
which is convenient If not admirable
That acted hastily in sending message de-
signed to elicit a challenge to a man who
ignores the code, l readily admit But having
been warned to handle him carefully" as
sumo that the bullying tone of his refusal to
accept hearty apology was the result, among
courage. The refusal to accept my apology
on the part of man whom 1 supposed to be
brave filled me with ineXpressible humiliation
at which now smile. Colonel Fleming in his
answer, SAYS / have made myself ridiculous.
This is true. But then did not know Fleming
as / do now He refers to fact that denuncia-
ton follows the refusal to accept challenge.
did not challenge him. As for posting" him,
think that even desire to press this ridic-
ulous AFFAIR would now not have justified this.
he has posted himself. / am ready to accept
the verdict of those who reject the "code" that
! acted in manner that was unjust1hable. But
in view Of the abuse to which was subjected,
and IN view of the scornful and insulting re-
1usal TO accept an unequivocal and frank
apology, think can safely leave to that por-
ton OF the world which is brave, just and gen.
erous, to say whether what did was without
palliation.