The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-01-29

CLEMENCEAU.
Until the great scene In the Chamber rwo
weeks ago. no man dared openly accuse him.
The rash Diroulade was right In saying that
the great Radical held all France in terror Of
hi sword. his pistol. and his pen. Rumors and
instnuations there had been in plenty which
impnte | to tho great breaker OF Cabinets i'm
mrnse gains by tho corruption which was
being constantly disclosed. But in all the ex.
ctteme7t and clamor OF the Last two months
nothing has matched the effect produced
when the black charge was publicly flung into
the face OF C!emenceau. 1t had been IA day OF
agitation bordering on frenzy. The m
had just voted is consent to the prosecution
OF ten leading member Of Parliament. and
had lisfene tn the angry protest OF two
of the victims. In mental and physical
exhaustion the house was about to nd
iourn. The words vera on President Flo
quet's lips when Deroulade spran: into the
tribune Ind demanded II hearing. Nobody knew
his purpose. and few were inclined to listen.
He was intensely excited. and waved his long
arms about In the air as he raised his voice
high above the clamor Of protesting members
He had shouted for some minutes before 1t
was suspected toward what climax he was
aiming. He denounced the Government for
not Including those most guilty In its prosecu-
tons. The black est Of all in the corrupt ring.
he declared. was the man who for years had
enjoyed immunity from criticism because he
held all France in terror OF his sword. his
pistol. and his pen. Then the house lis.
tened. Everybody knew the name before it
WINS spoken. Clemenceau himself saw what
was coming. but sat unmoved. Djroulaie in
q dramatic fury Of passion. pointed his finger
At the quiet figure OF the Radica! leader and
called his name.
Cl9menceau waited until his accuser had
taken his seat. Then he went to the tribune.
For u moment he stood there with folded
arms. amid breathless silence. When he spoke
II was quietly. slowly. without emotion. but in
words that burned. Accused practically OF
treason. he responded in terms worthy OF Il
modern Anthony. It was n bit Of eIoluence
which has not Gen su passed in French oru-
tory during all the DAYS Of the thir republic.
Almost ignoring his accuEer until tho last. he
did not drl.n even 10 look at him. when. with
o confemp tuous gesture. he ended with, As
for NJ. Ddroule'ic. he has lied"
Most OF Climenceau's hearers believed him
gull y al all that was imputed TO him. but he
w,,n tho admiration OF every one who saw and
heard him. His courage. mar
vei.ous self. possession. and magnificent RS
sources wer. never more splendidly demon
stra'el than when he fung back Dtroultde's
ter life accusations. There was no reerimina-
tim. no STOPPING to explanation in what he
said. He challenged his enemies to do their
wurs.. and lie did 1t with an air OF eager thirst.
ing Tor The fray. 1t was u splendid defiance
fom u man magnificent even In disgrace.
1t Is not as q politician or as the target
OF accusations In connection with the Panama
scandal that this unique figure in French az
fats stands most conspicuous. His political
career and methods are well known. 1t is In
connection with the code OF honor that he Is
lrrhaps less widely known abroad. hut more
,A,sj Than my other man IN France, The
tribunr OF the Chamber above described make
bun II deadly, antagonist on the field dnello.
Jhe m"hern French duel is an institution de-
sigasrs. \ me ting IN so.caIIed deadly COM
lhat n" longer involves either courage or skill.
en'i eyarybndy expccred that The last meet.
InE' whieh Cidmsnceau attended would prove
fivea which overoalancod Ills desir. for pep-
.NoDody save Clemenceau himself knows the
honor. and he will not. talk about il. Acuuaint-
Anrss an, friend. who know him best have
-fecsllel eleven meetings, in which he has
fE tx - .% prd ,,ssai 'r n ssf haIi th "S actual aftSSrs Sn'nt n%.
polHirai. a~ssailant or has sitsn more frequent
4srsnnnl offence In carrying out his Political
S Gs ! to . o, esr.o ne . .neo ra1e'y du him resent sS@t
years The very good reason Is that the
III 40 ttocto "tS wv az tllt ulr-
ppsal OF his adversary. He stands no
Shxpee ut al. against tina greatest lnarksman
In France. He simply invites his opponent to
put = bullet into. such portion OF his body, as
~ DdraseH lie has not even the satisfaction
Qfn chance, tn return the compliment. for
pistol He has more than onco disabled an
Spponent before he has had time 70 lire. and
THAT. too. without an instant's authorization OF
The pistol is the weapon which NJ. Clemen-
eesu always selects when he is the challenged
marty. He is An eyn6Ft SWOru6mHn H6 We'll,
md ioI. Year., he vas REGARDED as the best man
entered his shoulder in AN encounter q few
years ago. and while tho thrust did not In any
sense disable him, he has not now quite the
same confidence In his skill with the weapon.
pinlts with pistols. He. Keeps In constant
practice. and he isa well,known visitor at two
Or three Of ths. best shooting galleries In
paris. He has often made ten bulPs-eyes in
eleven shots at q mar target. distance twenty
nye yards. or the same as at the D6roultde
aTSsI. and fring At the word Of command.
ferent thing from firing at will after delips.
rate aim. The ,marksman, stands with his
fight. side toward the target, with hand hold
Inv pistol at his side. The command given Is:
"Peu..un, dsux, trois.' or, Fire one. two.
Eass'"" and phe shss m snd s ss t fred wa sstws sss
spoken quite rapidly-at the Clemenceau- De-
roalfde duel as last as the second giving the
word could talk Is quito IMPOSSIBLE to do
pgre than glance along the barrel before
peiilnH IN. trlgger
ssau is this; Asiiyer coin the size OF a dine
just outside its edge. liz four shots ut VIZ
yards he has sent Tue nails h"nr. H.