The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-13
SP0ILS FOR FIGHT
TOM PHELAE CHALLENGES CON-
GRES8EAN HINTON.

The Kansas City Man is Willing TO Spill His
Blood if Necessary to Defend the Honor
of Rel glon That, Perhaps, He is a
Weak sister mall the Trouble is Over
the Marquette Statue at Washington
IfHintOn Does Not Respond the Cap
tain is Anxious to Visit Him-He Visited
O'Donovan Rosa Once.
Kansas City, Mo-, March 12.-Captain
Thomas Phelan has challenged Con-
gresham W. S. Linton, of A p A
fame, to a duel on Bladenburg's historic
ground. He had unsheathed his caustic
pen and braved the postoffice depart
ment by firing hot shot through the
mails, regardless Of the regulations
touching inlamable matter. He wants
TO read the lesson his challenge is ir-
tended TO convey with barking Colt or
derringer or write it on the congress
mans frame with rapier or broad
sword, he isn't caring much what the
veal pom is, just so the affair is a la
morte.
If the challenge goes unheeded Cap
tain Phelan proposes TO go to Washing
ton and deliver it in person. Captain
Phelan is the man who was nearly
assassinated in New York several years
ago by O'Donovan Rosa In his letter
he says:
notwithstanding that your attitude
IN public affairs is, and for a long time
has been, inimical to the interests of the
Catholic sentiment Of at least one
seventh OF the population Of the United
States, and that you have been the as
sailant Of that strong, educated and
influential minority, 1 deem it my duty,
in liue Of any other challenger OF your
unpatriotic and obnoxious methods; to
address you this letter for the purpose
of stigmatizing you for what you are
and as a warning to you that further
persistence in the course you have
marked will lead TO anarchy and crime
in a country which, were ii not for such
firebrands as you, would be the happiest
and most peaceful among the nations.
You have the disgraceful credit Of
being the founder Of that foul blot upon
the American name-the new Know
Nothing party, yclept the A. p. A. The
spirit of that organization is restric-
ton of Catholic progress and the entire
eXtinguishment of Catholic institutions
on that portion of the American CONT
nent protected by the American flag.
In pursuance of this un-American
idea you recently, in the congress Of the
United States, introduced a resolution
debarring the unwilling and acceptance
by the United States Of the statue OF
Jacques Marquette, the missionary and
explorer who holds a grand and promi-
nent place in the history of the discov-
cry of America. His immortal voyage
down the Mississippi, in 1876, fixes his
.1o atvoI Nd ir,arANrfan-
figure among the worlds discoveries of
ancient or modern times.
DO you, sir, think it possible that a
man like you, without distinction in
public life, can eXtinguish the proud
memories which attach to the civiliza-
ton of this republic and makes free
America possible in the nineteenth cen
fury? Do you know, or knowing forget,
that the United States of today is the
result of the genius and self abnegation
of the Marquette OF the sixteenth cen
fury? That all of your present was
created by heroes and pioneers like the
same immortal Marquette that such
despicable bigotry and Ignorance as
yours would vainly seek to immediate?
The heroic life of the American republic
only began when the facts and evil
dences of her creation were made posi-
ble-Columbus and Marquette, two or
the worlds greatest Catholics made big
otry and intolerance possible for dema-
g0gues on this continent today! In this
latter category, sir, l include you as a
blind. ignorant and bigoted leader. You
should remember, sir, that every symbol
and every name and sign relating 10 the
discovery OF this continent are sacred
mementoes and should be cherished
page in the books and histories which
perpetuate them.
The great Marquette Is part, and
an essential part, Of the history of this
great nation and his life and character
give weight to the purest and grandest
principles of human liberty.
Your cowardly assault upon the hon
or Of the nation and the immortal dead
demands attention. Personal chastise-
ment is below me and above you. The
swordless priests and disciples of the
prince Of peace cannot resent your I'M
manly insult 10 the immortal dead, nor
give you personal punishment for the
cruel affront you have put upon the
great explorer Of this continent, true
representative Of the first Christian
church of Christiandom that you have,
IN more ways than one, foully maligned
but ]. a layman of that grand old
creed properly take up the glove you
have thrown down and tell you, dema-
gogue and coward that you are, that
BlandenbuTg, where such gallant gem
tlemen as Decatur and Baron, great
commodores Of the American navy,
fought and fell for honor, is a fitting
place to read you the lesson which this
pacific letter is intended to convey; and
If YOU have a soul above your buttons
and an intelligence worthy Of man,
YOU will easily comprehend the mean
ing of this communication. If you can
not / will. should | fail 10 hear from
YOU. take means TO make Its meaning
palmer"