The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-05


The epoch or age Of iron, as many have
termed the first half Of the nineteenth century
owing to the tremendous system Of railroads
which prevails In every section Of the civilized
globe, has not destroyed the utility Of the
noblest OF beasts--the horse. In the darkest
period of the war Of the rebellion, whom the
Union commanders were at their wits end
were harassed night and day by the inroads
and captures Of stores, supplies and trains by
Southern horse; when John Morgan and Jeb
Stuart and Gilmsr and Mosby rode around
and through the TANKS Of large bodies Of
troops, with but very little molestation, .
mighty phantom was evoked to bid them stay
their ravages and the cavalry Of Sheridan
trampled the soul out Of Southern resistance
into the dust To-day that same rough
riding horseman is witness Of tho
deeds Of the terrible uhlans and heavy
cavalry Of tho Prissian army, who
descend in the night, no man knowing
whence they come, like the Pale Spectre, upon
the fairest villages and most beautiful spsts Of
rich and populous France. Metz had to fall
because the German horse had cut of all pro-
vision and food from it's defenders before even
gun had fired . shot against it's powerful for
tifcaticns, and Paris must soon follow, though
bombardment may not take place, for were
successful sortie to be made from the walls,
even now, 1t would be impossible for those
who made it to find either food or forage
within q vast radius Of the French lines. The
cavalry of the Grown Prince have burned and
laid the fruitfulness of the land bare, and the
hopes of great nation are thus blighted by
the terrible acquisitions which are made by
troops Of Prussian hussars and lancers
And here lesson is offered to the American
people. While the great French iron clads
have been lowering along the German coast,
in manner which has brought contempt on
the French marine, Germany, through its fiery
horsemen, is devouring and rioting in the sub
stance and wealth OF gallant and unfortunate
empire. The safety Of nation in war time is
in brilliant and weli-mounted cavalry, which
is fully as necessary us a sound financial sys
tenn OF courageous people, and good cavalry
can only be procured by the encouragement of
the breeding of the thoroughbred horse and
the perfection of private stables in connection
with the noble Sport of horse racing. Eng
land owes her safety thus far to the fact that
her people are an athletic and horse-riding
race, who are at home in the saddle and the
manly sports Of the field. And how is il with
US? Have we not advanced with wonderful
strides In equine sports since the introduction
of Medley, Diomede and Messenger, the sires
Of the American race horse? An awakening
change has come over the land from Maine to
Oregon, and everywhere we hear Of the in
auguration of new race tracks, of the forma-
ton Of Jockey Clubs, and of splendid
and enthusiastic assemblages of people
gathered together TO witness the running of
fine horses, collected and bred by the public
spirit Of gentlemen whose pride and glory 1t Is
to make the turf theatre Of exciting sport
and honorable association with each other
The past year has indeed been an eventful and
progressive one for the American turf. Polite
society is no longer afraid to look down upon
a three year-old from the cushioned seats Of
grand stand. The people who attend at a
matinee given by Nilsson can now look without
horror upon quarter stretch. The champions
of refinement and good society have placed
barriers Of proprlety and dccency around the
race track which the breakers of the law and
the dangerous classes cannot overleap. It is
wise saying that ''ahat which lie begun well
must end we'll"