The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-12-30

The latest arrivals from England bring the
particulars Of the great prize fight between
Heenan and King. The tight has been the all .
engrossing topic in England and the papers +
give elaborate accounts OF the fight Both the /
hghters were fine specimens Of physical man (
hood Keenan,, who was born in Troy. Y Y. +
stands xix feet one and half inches. and
weighs one hundred and ninety-six pounds. /
he i well known in the sporting world as
having whipped the celebrated Tom Sayers.
the great English champion, several years
since He was quite a favorite in England
and has been feted by distinguished Lords and
gentlemen His opponent, King was born in
London. stands six feet two and a halt inches
in height, and weighs one hundred and eighty
three pounds sailor by profession. The
fight was for one thousand pounds a side. The
spectators numbered over a thousand. Of all
descriptions Of people, gentle and simple noble
and plain. There was no interruption Of The
fight aud it is agreed on all hands that it was
braveiy, fairly and squarely fought.
The London Times devotes a leader 10 the
affair AMI also publishes a graphic special ac-
count. 1t editorially says
Heenan was game throughout. from the
beginning 10 the close OF tue fight. aud be pat
the hug on so a. 10 crush his Antagonist s.
dashing him 10 the ground. Kings tactics
were different and more crediable 10 q pro-
fe-sor Of pugilism. They consisted simply in
striking "a series Of sledge-hammer blows on
the most prominent and sensitive parts Of
b Heenan's physiognomy until the latter col
. lapscd from exhaustion
s. f.,rr frr-f
and thirty-hve minutes. There appears 10
have been little science on either side, but
IL was. nevertheless. a fair stand-up fight with
out check, and ended in a decisive victory
for King"
The Times concludes its article by asserting
that prize fighting is more revolving than
bull Citing and onght to be discouraged
On the arrival Of Hecnan in Londou he re-
ceived the best medical assistance, and altho'
his bruises and contuslons were found TO BE-
very severe. none Of bis bones were broken.
and he had received no internal injury. lis
head Exhibited a most CHASTITY appearance his
Old lip wound had reopcned. and his eyes
were nearly closed.
The bets on the result Of The fight surpassed
= in their number aud amount any ever made on
any Ike occasion.
Tho y. Y. Tribune has . fun account of the
fight, and an editorial on the subject. which is
80 we'll and so forcibly written. that we insert
} it entire:
That two well-made, able-bodied men should
, stand up ia the middle OF the nineteenth cen
tury, to try which can first knock the other
, down, smash his nose. put out his his eyes.
> break his ribs, and practically murder him, is
D a pitful spectacle. aud degiades men 10 the
; level Of the brute. That the two most highly
, educated and civilized nations nations on the
, earth should he excited to their uttermo-t Cor
ners by such q contest; that one of thcm en-
gagged in a war of unegualed extent and inn
D portance. should forget its armies IN the f ID.
and suspend for the time all care for its poiiti-
cal existence to watch the result of this gladi-
torial iniamy. is matter TO excite apprehen- Ions
I most grave. Yet it is not % he denied that
b the recent prize fight between Tom King and
John &. Heenaa has thus OvershadOwcd the
mighty events of the age end placed itself (in
imagined Importance far ahead of any occur
renee on the face of the broad earth for the
{ last two years. OF at least since "a similar con-
test took place between Heeuan aud Saycrs.
, 1t was natural that the herd OF gamblers and
ruihans in large cities should take deep interest
/ it is their business; but thousands of men
who would consider the acquaintance of either
Of these wretches a moral faint. have been led
% the same low level For three DAYS the
grand inquiry Overshadowing all others was
not whether our gigantic Rebellion was coming
10 "A close. 0ur great armies winning Nictn-
ries. or our Congress upho.ding the hands OF
the President in putting down murderous trea
son; but whether one biackguarl had beaten
the head off another blackguard. The event
was deemed 20 important that tens OF thou
sands Of dollars were ready to reward eyclu-
sve intelligence; the hotels and places Of pub
lie resort heard no other conversation the
gambling houses suspended faro and and poker,
Wall street paused on gold and Erie. tue
grGrest OF our solid men grew eloquent in the
slang OF the ring hundreds of thousands o
dollars were given aud taken. the theater gags
we're full Of illusions and the world wall. q
open mOuthed for the glorious news. 1t has
come. and disappointment In this country t.
overwhelming With characteristic national
feelag-we cannot call it prile-immensc
stakes at heavy odds have been laid upon
Heenan; it would be guess work TO say how
much, but perhaps a million of dollars I'm this
city alone would be a low figure Dragging
did its best, aud bullying and insult marked
the occasion. Bad blood was stimulated ieud,
were engendered, friends were alienatcd and
enemies made; yet tn war Of slang and bet
ting went on. Aud for whats For a contest
lower than the level Of a dog-fght: for
couple or DULLES whose brawny arms should
have been doing the State service In the peni-
Tertiary. but who had been trained and
groomed for months to this heastly fight
whose daily progress had been the theme Of
public discussion over two continents and
whose bones and muscles had been all the while
cheapened in the money market as though they
were the thews and sinews OF Pct wolves
Now. it is a matter Of no consequence which
OF the two brutes wOn-the loss OF both would
be felt by good men only a pubic blessing
but the fact that their iisticuT engagement
should thus disturb the equa1mty OF tie world
is important. 1t becomes all right minded
men, 10 reflect upon the tendency Of such saw
ageism. Here, in our model Republic. lust
such men, just such prizc-hghters land their
hackers who are equally depraved) have a
tremendous political power; they dictate nomi-
nations. and control elections; reckless aspi-
rants for Office stand, hat in hand, in the halls
Of their gambling-houses 10 beg or buy their
influence. and many man now in high Judi
cial or other important station owes bis eleva
ton to the faro table and the prize ring. which
are now and forever one and inseperable. So
II was years ago in Vicksburg. until even that
community became outraged beyond endurance
and hung or expatrated it, malign enemics
so il was in San Francisco until tie last ounce
broke the camels back. and the Vigilance Com.
mittee purified the city with rope and revolver
So it may be in New York at some day net far /
distant. IL such Influences arr. still 10 NM Nc