Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-04-20
BEHAVIOR WHEN SLAPPED.
Ward McAllister Makes an Authoritative
Statement.

Ward McAnister Makes an Authoritative
Statement.
A recent deplorable incident has
led to a discussion in the clubs as to
the duties of a gentleman who has
been subjected to unbearable insult.
On that occasion, it will be remem-
bered, one gentleman slapped the
face of another, who replied with his
umbrella, the result being a series of
appearances in police court.
Many men are undoubtedly desir-
Gus of learning what is the absolute
ly correct thing to do in such case.
The New York World is happy to be
able to decide this nice point of So
cial department. Ward McAllister
consented. after some hesitation, to
define the attitude of himself and
other male persons of irreproachable
fashion. His statement, shorn of
some verbal adOrnments, is as follows:
The upshot of the discussion to
which you refer is that the best au-
thorities have decided that a gentle
man who receives an insult either by
word or blow should repel it at once
either with his fist or some appropri-
ate weapon. Some high authorities
recommend the decanter, but others
consider this too effective. The
question of the weapon must depend
largely upon the physical powers of
the aggrieved person and on the
amount of provocation received. A
justified in using a decanter in case
where an athlete certainly would not.
at may now be laid down as the
unwritten law governing these I'M
pleasantnesses that a gentleman in
suited, not in the presence of ladies,
should Immediately engage in per-
sonal encounter. This is great
change from the convention of the
past generation. Twenty years ago it
was proper to pay no attention to an in
sulting remark or even to blow be-
yond remarking. You shall hear from
me later, FOR words to that effect. If the
gentleman insulted felt that the ag-
gressor was unworthy of a challenge
he might follow him outdoors and
kick him in convenient spot This
was exactly the course followed by
an eminent citizen who was called a
cheat while playing at cards in the
principal club Of this city.
cit was necessary, however, to indi-
cate in some unobtrusive manner that
an insult had been received. How
necessary this is illustrated by the
Of
proprietor of New York hotel, in
whose face an offended compatriot
took occasion to expectorate. The
hotel proprietor, who was of delicate
physique, omitted to remark: Sir,
you have insulted me. You shall
hear from me later and, in fact paid
no attention to the incident. When
he referred his case to a committee
of experts they decided that he had
no right to issue a challenge to
duel as he had not declared himself
insulted. He had to swallow the in
suit, SO to speak.
''The duel is no longer possible in
America or in England, the ordinary
criminal law being applied in these
countries to duelists, and the code of
honor, which was held in high re-
spect in my youth, being disregarded.
The need of the change which l have
described to you then becomes appar-
ent, don't you see9 A gentleman is
required to demonstrate that he is
not a coward. If he cannot light a
duel when his face is smacked what
must he do? He must repel the in
suit with his hands or whatever other
weapon the exigences of the occasion
may justify. Being man of some
what advanced years | own prefer
ence for the decanter.
1.-The bylaws of that club in which
the gentleman accused of cheating at
cards behaved with so much tact
provided that gentlemen who fight on
the premises shall be instantly ex-
PEELED. This rule would no doubt be
literally enforced if any unpleasant
ness of the kind | have described
should occur to-day, but the senti-
ment of the members would be in
favor of readmitting the striker if it
were proved that there was no very
reliable foundation for the others re-
mark"