, 1860-04-04
THE COMING FIGHT:

The yuflians Of Two Of the most enlightened
countries Of the world aro all agos in expccta-
tion Of tie coming fight between the Tankee
Heenan and the Englishman Sayers; and the
Press, not ou1y Of England, where the fight is
to take place, but u America as well, is daily
miaisteriug 10 that dcpravcd and bloodt1irsty
appetite which snatc1lcs with avidity the
smallest fragment Of intelligence concerning
the training, bearing and hopes Of the COM
batauts. Measured by tie column, the news
papers Of the two countries have already de-
voted more space to the preliminary matters
connected with tho expected bloody and brutal
exhibition, t1luu they would hare given to the
discovery Of new Continent or new system
Of philosophy; and the readers Of these papers
hare been taught to talk mere cloqucntly Of
tho event to happen, than Of any question Of
religion. patriotism. scienco, art or poetry by
which their attention has ever been engaged
4nd so excited are men who ought at least to
be decent, over tho anticipated result, that
they nro rlsklng money on their opinions Of
SaycEs' muscle or Hecnan's bone, that they
would not part with to rescue captire
saviovrilh he were now in his enemies handst
Betwcon tho efforts Of the New York dailics
Of the sensation school, to keep their readers
up with the news, tic artistic exploits Of the
illustrated weeklies, the supeElluman exertions
Of doubtful eteets devoted 10 such civilizing
matters as trotting md running matches, cock
fighting, rat-kilIing, bi1ltard-plasing, dove
shooting, and the "fancy" pursuits generally,
between edorts like these, and the talk Of
ths public places, a stranger to the beauties
Of European society-some man just from the
outside barbariaus, among whom such beastly
exhibitions would rot be por1nitted--would
believe that the contest for the champion
ship OF the belt in which tue pus.nosed,
short-haired bullics are shortly to engage, WAS
thu great event Of the era in which we live
superior 10 that mighty moseuoLt in Italy
which promises to undo tho work Of eighteen
centuries Of barbarism, Or that mightier move
ment in America which secks to restrict, amo.
Iorate uud finally destroy the chattelhood Of
four miliozs Of men.
It would be cruel to hope that both the
ruthans may be m .uled to death; hut il either
is permitted to escape tho penalty which both
will earn, we trust that, not 11ccnan, but
Esyers, will bo the victor md The survivor
We shudder to think Of tho consequences Of ar
"Anericau" triumph in that ring. With more
imported vices alrcad: than our people can stag
ger under, and keep alivo their reputation fol
civilization, tho donesication anons us O
the hrutalisies Of the prize Eight, would be tht
weight under which the government ofour 1argt
cities would give wey- Hitherto the "manl,
art" has been aourisbcd only ~ an exotic
Its hct-bed is New York, and the importct
beasts, chiefly Of the English breed arc th
ma tire by which it is given the feeble lifo
has, Let uccnau win, and bis imitatora, eacl
anxious for the distinguished honor Of "shut
ting up the mug" "closing the peepers," O
punching the knowledge-box Of an opp1
nent. amid tho plaudits Of rufianly crew {
amateurs MD bo.tle.ho]dcrs, would be fouu
evcry considerable town in tho land. II
al remember what impetus was given to ches
by the bloodless victories Of paul Morphv
and tho honora which were heapcd upon tia
very common place young man; we a,
saw'' the rise Of the demand 70
nors billiard tables, cues, chalk, brand,
smashea, whisky toddie., poor cigars and Ii
"'ree small lours," rs aoon as Phslan be,
that other fellow, whose name We have forgo
ten, III punching ivory balls against each 9th
and into pockets, in that Detroit grocery: B.
chess is Innocent II: not; intellectual, and Il
fancy" wot not thereof; and Phalan'A conte