Gentlemen have been insisting
that I am seeking reparation for an insult which they acknowledge has
been offered me; which they acknowledge has been gratuitous, and to
which all the publicity has been given which lay within the power of
the officers of this club. Very well, then, far as it was from my
original intention, I present my personal grievance and I claim
redress. The vote of censure which the committee has passed upon me I
regard as merely a stupid and offensive blunder; the implication
conveyed by listening to a servant in relation to a charge against a
member is an insult to him as a gentleman, which, to me personally,
seems too intolerable to be endured. I came into this club as to a body
of gentlemen, and I have a right to claim at your hands that I shall be
treated as such by its officers."
Fenton had many enemies in the St. Filipe, but the splendid dash and
audacity of his manner, even more than his words, produced a tremendous
effect. There was an instant's hush as he ended, and then the voice of
Tom Bently, big and vibrating, rang through the room in defiance of all
rules of order and of all the proprieties as well.
"By God! He is right!" said Tom, and a burst of applause answered him.
The day was won, and although there were a few protests, they were
silenced by cries of "Question! Question!" and the motion was carried
by a majority which, if not overwhelming, was large enough to be
without question.
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