The Kenosha telegraph and tribune. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1859-1860, 1860-05-17
The London Times on the Prize Fight,

The following is from the London
Times on the late fight between Hee-
nan and Sayers ;a g.f Il rsrs+..v. /,
An enlightened foreigner passing
along the Strand on Tuesday afternoon
must have been strangely puzzled.
Crowds thronged the streets, and press
ed against the doors of the newspaper
offices, where the sheets went from the
presswere distributed to, eager buyers.
On every countenance there was an ex-
preston OF excitement, violent discus
sions were going on, and triumph or
chagrin was in the air ofeach. What
could it be about !? Such an assemblage
was hardly witnessed. when the crown
of Louis Philip fell into the gutter, or
when the Allies stormed Savastopol.
Surely Louis Napoleon had threatened
the Rhine, or at least the British Cab
met had fallen a victim to some inter-
nal feud. No; it was simply that two
professional gladiators had mauled each
other for two hours that morning, and
the newspapers were publishing the
narrative with more or less felicity of
slang. To see this encounter a large
body of people had started from town
before dawn in a train supplied by
decoroas and dignifed railway COM
pany, and, though the whole civil force .
of the South of England were on the
alert, the fight had taken place, I'VE ;
are asked how it is that such proceed
ings as those on Tuesday passed with
out the denunciation of the public
presently the conniving executive,
the abbetting railway company, and
the whole band of gentlemen who asa
listed at the terrible sight are not held
up to reproach, as they deserve. We
answer that the very unaversalitys of
the interest taken in the fight is proof
that the exhibition was different from
others of its kind. Thousands of peo-
pie read the narrative we published
yesterday who probably had not for
years, or perhaps in their lives, perused
the details of prize fight. Their
curiosity was reused, not by prize fight
ing generally, but but by the circnn-
stances of this singular encounter. We
have no fear that the result will be to
restore the faded glories of the prize
ring. We will take men and their ma.
ture as we find them, and not preach
homily against the fight for the clam
pionship. Whether it be battle be-
tween pugilisjs on a country border, or
awar between empires for the supremacy
of Europe, men will interest themselves
in the struggles of strength and cour-
age. Nor is poor Tom Sayers stand
| ing up against his gigantic antagonist,
and coming up round after round to
REEVE punishment" an unworthy OBJ
| ject of admiration. Those men display
in. their miserable trade qualities
which, on better field, make indivdu-
ais and nations great. That amid de-
bauchery and drunkness and petty gam-
bling the virtues of cour age, endurance,
Eand fair play should be cultivated and
carried to their highest point, shows
that there is indeed soul of goodness
in things evil. England and America
have had many better arena for rival
ry than the boxers, ring, but still ma
tions without great qualities could not
have brought together two men will
ing to pass through such an ordeal 90
the terrible fight of Tuesday. Nor are
there Swanting fields of contention
which, though more reputable than the
prize ring, are not more worthy of our
regard. 43