Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1869-09-02
TIE GREAT ROWING; MATCH.
Harvard Va. Oxford More Comm MT .
by EnKllsh NexXspMpers.


Harvard Va. Oxford-More Comments
by English Newspapers.
LONDON, Aug 23.--The Morning Tele-
graph to-day, has an editorial on the forth
coming international boat race, wherein it
says that point in favor of the Americans
is that they are in such state ofhigh train
ing, Of the best kind, that they have not
submitted Ito a sharp regime for few
months with view to q particular event,
but hive been in perfect training for tho
last three yeats. What hardness of muscle.
sounlncss Of heart and honesty Of lung
must be the result. 1t is almost impossible
to ovcrlatc til. effects which such II state
Of facts has upon tho event Of the race.
-Four young athletes, keptior three years
under conditions TO develop every available
power, is something more excellent than
the results Of four months training. What
may be not expected from Il crew called
npon for Il quarter Of IN hours strain. when
they have been Mt work for years1 Taking
our information rs correct, We should coli
slider the superior hardness Of the Ameri-
cans moro tian the set-off against the style
Of the English Qnd conclude that the con-
test will bo ma My battle OF coxswa'ns;
Whatever the events may be. VIC trust
lllc uiClCisoc VI hIIlNlJ ISSAht1 "i'' s1"'>' >.
lowship between the two nations may be
one OF the results.
The Telegraph, to-day, i'll its sporting
article, alludcs to the inter university race.
1t says that many OF tho best judges of
boating offer two to one on Oxford. 1t pre-
diets that the Oxonians will win, but be-
ieyes that the Harvard boys will make q
better fight than is anticipated by the sup
porters of the Oxfords.
The Times hus tho following editorial on
the forthcoming race: ''The MomcntouS
question has to be decided whether an
American or English University can turn
out the best oarsmen. It fortunately hap
pens that in each country the leading
Universities simultaneously boast tho pos
session of an excellent crew. We know
what Oxford can do, and how proud she is
of her repeated triumphs, despite twinge
of respectful sympathy for the pluck with
which Cambridge annually renews the con-
test. Harvard is by curious colncl-
dence in the same position as the Oxtords.
She has beaten her usual rival, to
say nothing Of unlettered professionals,
until no mora glory is to be got at home.
The new world conquered, there was
nothing to do but seek fresh laurels in the
old. The fame OF Oxford reached Harvard,
and with spirit worthy OF medieval pala.
dins, the Americans resolved to measure
oars with Great Britain. Great difficulty
arose in the style Of boating practiced by
the Americans, who make the bow-oar
steer. Nothing could induce the English
crew to adopt the fashion, while the race
would not be fair il one boat had four and
the other five men. This difficulty delayed
the contest. However, your true paladins
would, 'i.:ter t;ght on anv terms than not
at all: and the Harvalls ohivulrousiy ;.o-
cepted the English custom, the only COM
promise practicable. A coxswain is indis-
pcnsibIe on our rivers, and the Americans,
in carrying one, sacrifice what would
have been an undue advantage,
and do not incur disadvan-
tages. We prefer to compromise, because
there seems to be notion that the Ameri-
cans have conceded too much ter the race
to be fair trial Of strength and skill be-
tween the representative oarsmen of The
two countries. The impression is height
ened by having gradually assimulated
their style of rowing to that Of the
English. 1t is complained that this
Ans lo-AuIerican race is not to be test OF
the relative merits of these distinct
national styles Of rowing the Oh.
jcct WHICH promised to pc tue CHIEF
source of interest-but to decide which OF
the young men rowing happen to be the
best:s This seems u pedantic way OF put
ting the matter. 1t misinterprets the char,
acter o: the international struggle. What
is style Of rowing compared with the
men who row? When tho fight between
Heenau and Sayers excited suc! world
wide interest, the question was whether
America or England could turn out, moi
tho best style OF boxing, but tho bette,
man. The same stake is on this is
sue. Now, good rowing NUT be
tho same all the world over, how
over accidental the circumstances
but there may be a diversity of exter-
nal characteristics. The Harvards have
not water like the Thames ut Putney, ant
they have, therefore, wisely modified thei1
pulling to suit the change. II the Oxfor(ls
went to Charles RIVER, they would have t.
do the Same thing, bnt tho essential quail
ties oil skill, plu ok and strength, which have
won for both crews their many laurcls, re-
ouiro no change, and will be put with per
feet fairness to a test. Whichever wins
must be recognized az tho better MASTER
We do not wish in tile slightest de
gree to dctract from tho high priz'
ieservetlly due the IIarvards for the chival
! rous spirit in which, throwing
prejudices to the winds, they have come K
encounter the Oxforls on their own waters
and in their own way; also, for the promp
versatility, characteristic Of their nation
with which they havo adapted their move
position. It is impossible not to admire
the business-like, unpretenti0us way il
which thew have settled down to work
Carefully stunning opportunities of parad
and publicity, they have done all they ca'
to deserve success If they gain it, NJ
Englishman, however he may wish his ow,
side to win, will grudgc it them. W.
trust that the hearty goodwill they from
the first received, and are still re
ceiving, from oil classes, will con
VINCE their anxious fellow countryme1
that there is no ground for apprehension
OF foul play. One of the best points abou
boat-races is the freedom from trucker,
which now disgraces the English tnrl
Boat racing has happily escaped this fou
contagion. There is no danger that any
thing but an accident will prevent the rae
from being fairly rowed. We are glad t.
see that most stringent precautions to pre-
vent accident have been adopted. Onl
two steamers will follow the crews Will
rowing, and the river will be kept CAREFUL
clear. We are not without expectations {
seeing really good race, notwithstandin
the confidence with which each party ha
predicted an easy victory for it's own side
We hope that the day will find both crew
come to tho start in fine condition an
with equal pluck, and may the best me