People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1892-12-30
NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %, 1892.


the way of fighting.
The other day there was big up
roar in the French Chamber of Dep
~uties. That's the name they give
their Congress.
The Panama Scandal was the topic
Of talk. Accusations flew thick and
fast. Nearly every honorable Depn-
ty charged the others with having
been bribed.
A member named Deroulede &C
cused member named Clemenceau.
The latter said to the former, "Sir,
you lie."
The former said to the latter, {" Sir,
you're another"
Now right here is where civiliza-
ton steps in and shows her SUPERIOR
ity over barbarism.
In the uncultivated times of our
rude and hasty forefathers, one of
these Statesmen would have mashed
the others mouth, got his nose bunged
in return, and both Of them would
have apologized to the Presiding
Officer and been handsomely for
given in some neat and eloquent re-
marks.
But those uncouth days have passed
away.
When the fatal words of insult
had passed between these two French
Statesmen, things rested right there
for the moment. But everybody
knew the storm was brewing. Dread
full preparations had to be made, and
in the meanwhile, these civilized war
riors must hold a check-rein upon
the turbulent desire for immediate
action.
Friends hurried to and fro getting
the fighting apparatus Of modern en-
lightenment ready.
It consisted of Pistols, Carriages,
Surgeons, Newspaper Reporters and
that valuable piece Of furniture known
as &C the Mutual Friend"
The morning for the Duel came.
Both Of the Combatants Rugged and
kissed everybody in sight before the
battle opened. For fear may be
charged with misstatements on such
a serious subject, I quote literally
from the newspaper accounts:
AFFECTING SCENE BEFORE THE DUEL.
The parting between Deroulede and
his friends on his start for the dueling
ground, was very affecting. He en-
braced and kissed them repeatedly, and
assured them that he would die in man
ner worthy of the Legion of Honor. He
fully expected, he declared, to lose his
life.
M. Clemenceau, who had spent the
morning with Nine. Reichemberg, gave
directions about the issue of La Justice,
and left orders to the management of the
paper IN the event of his death. The staff
crowded around their Chief and he kissed
and embraced them each in turn. Some
of them shed tears, and M. Clemenceau
gently rebuked them, saying: have
stood on the field of honor too often to
have any apprehension now" He said
that he preferred death to dishonor, and
| spoke in a tone of resolution that evoked
the admiration of his assistants.
It must have been an affecting
thing to the nerves to hug and kiss
SO many bearded men, and that's
probably one reason why neither of
these men could hit the other.
A large crowd witnessed the fight.
The Duelists were fifty feet apart.
After each shot was fired the seconds
measured the ground again. No
Judging was allowed. Nobody was
hurt-not even reporter.
[ remember few years ago when
Pat Calhoun and man named Will
Hanson, both Rail Road Presidents,
were chasing each other along the
Tennessee Line in Palace Cars, that
one of the Reporters, Bruffy I think,
came near having the skin shot off
one of his fingers.
Since that time the Reporters have
become less reckless and more wise.
Instead Of standing twenty feet to
one side, they now take position just
in the rear of the shooters.
These two Frenchmen shot at each
other several times and the ground
was as often measured to prove to
the critical and exacting public that
none Of it had run away, and then it
was discovered that there was no good
reason why these two men should not
be the very best of friends. So they
at once stopped shooting, began to
shake hands, Rugged and kissed their
friends all over again, and went to
breakfast.
Now that's what I call a real nice,
n FC