The true Democrat., 1855-05-01

as Ii he alone was the body and soul of the country. ltis impossible that this state of things can last much longer"
 From the Louisiana Courier. The Contest Between Lecomte and Lex.
 ington.-LexingtOn the Victor!
 Yesterday wasreally one of great excitement in our city, 1t being that on which the two most famous horses in the world were again to meet in rivalry and contest for the palm of speed and championship of the American turf.
 The day was, though rather warm, consider ed propitious, and there was fine breeze play ing with clouds which somewhat tempered the heat of the sun. The course was dry, and as many thought rather hard; though the general impression was that as both of the noble ani- mals were in fine order, the time would be the fastest ever made between contending horses; which antlcipattin was indeed verified by the result.
 For day or two this event had been the theme of conversation and speculation in the streets, at the clubs and coffee houses in the hotels and even in the ladies' parlors. Each champion had his partisans, and the merits of each were extolled in style which showed that interest manifested by all, was deep felt and sincere. The road to the course presented curious sight, every imaginable means of con- veyance having been put into acquisition to transport the anxious crowd to the scene of the struggle. The number of ladies present in the stands far exceeded that on any previous occasion, their own members stand being fair ly crowded with an array of gay dressed and beautiful women which could not, we imagine, be successfully rivalled at any other point on the continent. The number of persons present We | C il Ink mt @l, n On heard estimates considerably over that fgure
 Shortly before half past o'clock the horses made their appearance on the course, and exci- ted the greatest interest on the part of their respective friends. On being stripped for the race each was admired by every man and wo man present, though to our eye Lecomte ap- peared rather too much drawn out, and to have lost his beautiful and remarkable elasticity of stey. Still the general impression was that he had completely got over his late indsi osition, and that he was prepared to preserve the lau- rels which he had won on the same scene year before.
 Before the start bets were about even, neither party being disposed to give odds; indeed we have never known an instance in which betting men seemed to be so cautious and dstrustful of their judgment.
 It was announced that Lexington would have the track, and that he would carry four pounds IO4) over the prescribed weight. He was to be ridden by the famed Gilpatrck, who handled him so handsomely and skllfullyion the occasion of his race against time on the se- cond instant Lecomae was confided to the accomplished Abe, who aided and guided him when he snatched the fresh laurels from the head of his competitor in 1854.
 Some difficulty was experienced in getting a start, but 1t was at last made as fairly as could have been desired, Lecomte being about half length in advance. Going up the back stretch Lexington took the lead, and continued to keep It throughout the mile, being about length and a half a head. This mile was made in l:4915 The position ofthe horses remained unchanged until they had entered the back, stretch again, when Lecomte challenged, but never fairly lap ped his antagonist and after the half mile post was passed slacked his pace and they again passed under the cord, Lexington nearly two lengths in advance-time 3 4O1a. After the first turn in the third mile was passed and the horses had again reached the back stretch Le- comte made desperate, though unsuccessful effort, and fol. the only time throughout the heat Lexington appeared 10 be urged to his best speed. By the time they had entered the third quarter 1t was apparent that Lexington had the heels of his competitor, as the latter gave up his attempt to take the lead and seemed content with merely keeping his position immediately In the rear and ready to take advantage of any opportunity which might offer to go on and get the track; they came down the quarter stretch and passed the judges stand, Lexington hay. ing opened the gap between them to about five lengths-tme 5:311s. As the second turn of the fourth mile was made, 1t become evident that Lecomte was greatly distressed, and that the pace was pulling him down, as he fell rap- idly about hundred yards to the rear, and it was even thought that he was to be distanced: he, however, made last struggle as he entered the home stretch, and so reduced the space be- tween himself and Lexington that he saved his distance handsomely, though the latter passed the cord and took the heat, amid the most tre- mendous shouts, in the remarkable time of 7:23A, coming in some sixty yards in advance.
 The space in front of the stand was immedi- ately filled by the excited crowd from the stands and from the field, the palisades being leaped over, and for while everything like order ap. peared to have become impossible By the interference of the officers of the course and the appeals of the presiding judge, the excited mass however, soon gave way, and the horses were blanketed.
 This heat was won by Lexington with the greatest ease, and he was put to his speed only once, and that for less than hundred yards: Lecomte, on the contrary was evidently, be- fore the end of the first mile, suffering, as his tongue, which was covered with blood, was hanging several inches out of his mouth, and so continued until after the second mile was finish ed That he escaped being distanced was astonishing 10 many persons who observed his distress. His friends and trainers had unfortn- nately been deceived as to his condition. and learned only too late that his illness in the fore part of the week had been much more serious than they had believed
 As the second heat was about to begin, Le- comte was led to the front of the stand and sub- mitted to an examination, at the request of his owner. MT. Cox, the president afterwards pro- claimed that as it would endanger the further running qualities of the horse and perhaps risk his life to start him again, the judges had con- sented to his being withdrawn; and that conse- quently all bets which had been made upon him before the race or during tha first haat