The Washington times., 1904-10-23
British Generals Name Cleared of the
Stigma That Caused His Su eide
Is Gotham Clubman's
Case Similar?
Case Similar?

ATHER than face the snubs OF
- personal friends and he scoTn
OF the general public, two men,
each Wen known on his own side
OF the Atlantic Ocean. have committed
suicide within a little more than a
tWelve-mOuth. They were Sir Hector
Macdonald. general in the British
army, and Frank DePeyster Hail. New
York clubman and merchant. They were
not men inclined 10 act on the impulse
OF a minute. they were men OF the
Angio-SaN0n race-a race of men by no
means given to flying on the handle and
among whom suicide is more rare than
In any otheF civilized race. Fighting
Mac as Sir Hector was popularity
called throughout the army, had never
finched before the frantic charges of
the derVishes OF the fierce tribes of
northern India; Han had proved mis-
metal upon many an athletic Geld and ia
the business world OF New York. F}ur
neither had the courage TO face the
world after it had turned its cold shout
der upon them. To stink from hotel ~
cafe and from cafe 10 hotel feeling thar
every man and child In the streets was
pointing the finger of scorn. TO receive
the cool stare Of men who had forner1y
been friends. while women drew their
skirts instinctiveIy closer TO avoid pos
sible contamination. was more than tbs
soldier ana the society man could en-
oure Such is the power OF social os-
tracism
Both men had been accused Of per
sonaI immortality. The British general
had been a hero 10 millions OF mis- conn
tfymeu- ana he could not endure their
scorn- Even the knowledge OF his in
nocence was not sufficient TO hold his
Aaad- The terror which public scoru
holds Tor all men was upon him His
Innocence was proved months after his
death, and his name cleared Of an stain
Wili the good name Of DePeyster Han
be cleared eventually Since his death
g few days ago a number OF his most
intimate friends have declared their be-
lief in his Innocence. VIII they 20 "a
step farther and prove that another
man las gone down before the scandal
mongers2 Only time viii tell
Publicity Hastens Death.
Publicity seems 10 have been the inn
mediate cause OF both suicides sir
Hector Macdonald saw hIs picture and
name Ia a copy OF The Paris edition of
the New YORK Herald ana printed
beneath IL the story OF his disgrace A
few hours afteTWaFd be placed q re-
voIver at his temple and blew out his
brains. DePeyster Han had much the
same experience. Both men were about
70 come before tribunals which should
decide once FOR all their innocence or
their guilt Macdonald had been or
dered 10 return 90 Ceyl0u 10 face "a
c9urt-martial aud Hail had brought srft
against his accusers Ia the courts Of
New York Neither man ever abBeareE
10 defend himself
OF the two men Han had more ex-
peTieuce In the bitterness OF disgrace
FOR a year he had borne ND AGAINST
the GOODNESS sof former FRIENDS ana had
been compelled 90 resign from "a num-
Der Of his clubs. He had been forced
10 give up his connection with the BUSH
ness firm Of which he had been the
head He was leading "a quiet and SEE
Cluded life in part OF the city which
until then had been strange TO him. The
change In his social conditions had prev
ed upon his mind. and he had determined
10 make one last fight 10 clear himself
and regain or lose all al single blow
But the added publicity which the trial
brought 10 the scandal proved too much
for him 20 bear. on the other hand sir
Hector Macdonald had escaped the dis
grace attendant upon publicity givau 10
such affairs until the day before his
death. The charges while known among
governmental circles ia CeyIgu and
England had not leaked out He had
been permitted 20 return 30 England 20
consult with some Cf his friends about
the afair. and the rest OF the warIG had
put down hIs absence from duty 0n The
ground III ed health. Even hts brothers
had NOT known OF his trouble. He bad
written, 10 be sure that he had a great