The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 49, October 14, 1897 - A Weekly Magazine for Boys and Girls by Various
page 22 of 28 (78%)
page 22 of 28 (78%)
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The Emperor of Austria, when he learnt of the shameful things that had
been said to the Count, felt that, were he in the Premier's place, nothing but a duel could satisfy his honor, and so he gave his permission, and the duel took place. Count Badeni was shot in the arm, and severely wounded; Dr. Wolff escaped unhurt. Immediately the duel had taken place the Premier's enemies seized upon it as a means of disgracing him. They raised a tumult about it, and declared that a man who would break the law by fighting a duel was not fit to manage the affairs of Government, and begged that the Count be dismissed from office, and arrested. The Premier was, however, well aware of the serious nature of the act he contemplated, and that duelling was not a becoming occupation for a Prime Minister, so, when he asked the Emperor's permission to fight, he also sent in his resignation as Prime Minister. The Emperor of Austria appears to be a very fair-minded man. Having given his permission for the duel, he was not going to desert the Count. He refused to accept the Count's resignation, and, as a reply to the enemies of his Prime Minister, issued a decree forbidding the courts from prosecuting the Count for breaking the law. Such a decree would not do for us in America, where the law is the highest power in the state, and even the President is bound to obey it; |
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