The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-03

Europe, Russia and America can exercise an
influence upon the progress Of the human race
/ which is deuied to lesser Powers, no matter
how ancient their history or chivalric their
descent In this practical age, when the prin-
ciples of common sense sometimes ontwit the
trickery Of diplomacy; when the solid growth
OF science, applied to telegraphs and railroads,
leaves speculative philosophy in the rear;
when new Ideas Of the privileges as we'll as the
wants Of men prevail. and overshadow the
effete doctrines Of medieval nations, il can
not be matter of surprise to recognize in the
United States and Russia the colossi Of the
world, spanning two oceans.
/ Revival Of Rncing i'm America Decline In
Treitins and Its Canses.
| The second and third days Of the first an
nual meeting Of the American Jockey Club
have passed. They have equalled in brilliancy,
| good order and decorum the opening day and
have been stamped with the seal Of public ap-
| probation Thus is triumphantly inaugurated
| a revival in the passion for high order OF
| horse racing that has not existed in the United
with almost every enterprise involving amuse-
ment and recreation engaged in by American
| gentlemen of responsibility and opnlence. Ii
was SO when the late and much respected
Commodore Stevens laif the Foundation of the
present New York Yacht Club, which grad
ualiy grew up from a single little yacht Of a
few tons to the unrivalled squadron of first
class vessels it now presents This success Of
yachting in America is in great measure
owing to the personal reputation OF those gen
tlemen who united with the first Commodore
of the New York squadron in nurturing the
undertaking in its infancy.
Thirty years ago horse racing was popular
amusement among the most distinguished fami-
lies in America. The most vivid scenes in
the American novels of those days were those
descriptive Of the excitement at horse
races What. for instance, would novel
based on life in Virginia at that
period have beea without its chapters
founded upon The thrilling scenes Of the race
course, where distinguished statesmen, the
high danes and dazzling maidens OF the Old
Dominion mingled in the cxhilaratug amuse-
ment of the hour! The same may be said of
Kentucky and South Carolina, in the South, at
the period we refer to-; and then, coming
North, we find the blood of our veteran turf
men Jingle anew at the recollectons of that ex-
citing period when the North and the South
were for the first time pitted against each
other in the world-renowned contest between
Eclipse and Henry. Several other trials,
testing the swiftness and endurance OF Northern
and Southern bred racers, have since occurred
here--particularly the famous one between
Fashion and Bosson-but none ever produced
the intense aud universal excitement aroused
by that between Eclipse and Henry. At that
period the best families in New York exhibited
lively interest in racing. The Livingstons,
Hamiltons, Roosevelts Stuyvesants,. Quacken-
bosses ana all the heads and scions Of the old
Knickerbocker houses, were prominent in their
personal efforts to make the sport at once
healthfui, respectable and elevating. Gradu-
ally, however, the amusement fell into careless
hands. Innovations were allowed to creep in
in the shane of gambling, drunkenness, quar-
relIing and fighting To throw" race
of trotting horses then came in, hourshed as a
creditable pastime fer while, but like racing,
the interest in it by respectable people fell of,
until, with a few honorable and notable excep-
tions, II has become an amusement principally
INDUCED in by betting men and professional
gamblers, and the courses are. 80 frequently
overwhelmed by rowdies, pickpockets and
other characters OF low class, that it is
dangerous for honest people to visit them.
Evidences Of the immoral and criminal
tendency OF some OF these modern horse trots
we have lately seen in the atrocious murder of
a prominent owner and trainer in Chicago
and again, quite recently, in the assassination
of a well md favorably known trainer at our
own door--Centreville, l.. |. No calling or
pursuit can maintain itself or be supported by
decent people If these ouiragcs are allowed 10
occur; and unless there be radical reform in
the management Of trotting courses, and vile
and VIGOROUSLY dishonest and disreputable
persons are prohibited from occupying respon-
sible positions in them we fear the days Of
trottng in America ~ a popular amusement
are numbered.
How vastly different is the management Of
the grounds Of the American Jockey Club
Here not the slightest disorder has thus far
been visible hut everything has been con-
Quoted upon q style so elegant and refined
that gentleman need no more fear insult in
taking h lady TO enjoy the excitemen. OF a
nobly contested race than he woud in taking
her to the new French theatre 10 see the peer
less Risori ID this respect the Jerome Park
throws completely In the shade the manage
ment Of English racing grounds. There il is