All this interested world pricked up its attention anew when the bold editorial of the _Daily Independent_ was widely copied.  As John Ross had predicted, and as probably Mr. Giddings knew before he wrote it, this particular article caused a furore of comment editorially and otherwise.  Much of this,--indeed, it seemed the most of it--was favorable to the stand taken by the New York publisher.  But when the rival sheet, the _Clarion_, arrayed its strong force in opposition, the conservative element of the public felt vastly encouraged, and many were the heated personal arguments as well as newspaper duels, which ensued.  Aviators all over the land were particularly concerned, and it goes without saying that the winners of the late competition were all lined up with the _Clarion_ contingent.  This paper's challenge to the _Daily Independent_ for a two-party race around the world on the _Independent's_ own conception of what it considered a fair route awoke great joy in the hearts of the leave-things-as-they-have-been adherents.  Few, if any of them, particularly the publishers of the _Clarion_, thought Mr. Giddings would ever take up the challenge.