The New York herald., 1875-07-13
Race Week at saratoga-Our OIym-
Pic Games.

| ny inc contest Wnlcn eXclte5 more interest
than all the other sporting events of the
year-the University regatta On Thursday
the athletic games, which have already be-
come feature of the race week at Saratoga,
viii be contested. Between the boating,
walking and running matches there viii be
something for every taste at the favorite
American spa, and the success which it is an
ticipated will attend them will be still further
proof, if proof is needed, of the deep hold of
outdoor sports upon the people Of this coun-
try. 1t is not many years since horse racing
was our only amusement, and the turf was
far less reputable then than it is now. There
were no courses like those at jerome
Park, Long Branch and Saratoga. and
beauty and fashion had not yet learned
to seek the grand stand on racing
days as one of the chief delights Of life. The
history of yachting and boating, and, indeed,
of athletic sports of every kind, is comprised
within o very recent period, and it is only
within the last ten years that the interest
excited in events like those which are TO take
place this week became SO general as to give
them q national character. Now, however,
every village has its athletic club, and physi-
cal culture has come to be recognized as
quite as important as mental training.
Yachting has grown in interest and impor-
tance year after year, and boating become an
almost universal pastime. From the begin
ming of June till the end of September there is
a constant succession Of races and regattas;
but, while all of them excite much interest
and attention, what we may call our Olym-
plan games are the sports conducted under
the auspices of our college associations.
Saratoga Lake is the annual resort of the
American Hellenes, and our Olympic games
are not less famous or beneficial in these days
than were those in Ellis while Greek civiliza-
ton was in its glory, and when it was sacri-
lege to invade the Elean territory during the
month of Olympiad.
Speaking of the Olympic games leads us to
commend the wisdom of the Collegiate Row
ing Association in refusing private gifts as a
reward for victory in the University race.
As in the games OF the Greeks a simple wreath
was the badge of Hellenic immortality, so in
this not less important event, to be in first at
the finish is the highest glory. Expensive
cups, and, indeed, gifts of any kind, instead Of
aiding would probably only detract from these
annual contests The College race is race
for victory, and we trust it will retain till the
end something of the severe simplicity of its
beginning. 1t is true this is only sent-
ment, but in such contests we are ever bound
to hold their sentimental aspects as sacred.
But while we commend the action of the Row
ing Association we are free to confess that
their reasoning is Illogical There is as much
reason why the successful crew should accept |
all gifts offered for the occasion as one pro-
vided by the Regatta Committee. Evidently
a mistake has been made in this matter, and
hereafter it is to be hoped no prizes what
ever will be offered for this race. In
this way no unpleasant controversies can
arise, and the simple honor of victory will be
enhanced by its freedom from all meretricious
surroundings. The same rule, however,
would not well apply to the other contests,
and especially to the walking and running
matches. These cannot expect the celebrity
of race which is by its very conditions his
torcal In the olden time it was the foot
victor in the running matches was alone en-
titled to have his name inscribed on the lists
Now the boat race is the chief event Of the
Olympad, and it is the college crew which
must be content with the simple reward Of be-
ing proclaimed victor Daicles, the Mes
senian, is celebrated through all time because
this was his only recompense, and the winner
Of the boat race of 1875 can obtain no filter
reward. We trust that hereafter we shall
hear nothing of profered cups for the College
race, and that all trophies other than that of
victory Will be reserved for the walking and
running matches or for individual competition
on the water.
While we are compelled to acknowledge
that our athletic games are still in their
infancy it is surprising how much we resemble
the pure and polished Greeks in outdoor
festivals. During the last half century row.
ing and running, indeed everything which
comes under the name of outdoor sports,
both in this country and in England have
grown in popular appreciation. In the same
way it took long time to give the Olympiad
its high place among the festivals of Greece
but when it was once firmly established it
lasted for nearly thousand years The
stadium in Ellis became not only the resort of
all the Hellenic tribes, but the sacred groves
Of Olympia did more to preserve peace among
them than all the appeals of Grecian orators
and statesmen. What is true Of the ancient
is true also Of the modern world, and it is
only few days since we hailed the victory
of the American rifle team at Dollymount
as the harbinger Of q better understand
ing between America and Europe than
any contest except friendly one
could have brought US. The gladiatorial COM
bats OF the more sanguinary Romans had
nothing to compare either in manliness and
courage or skill and grace with the simpler
exercises of the Greeks, and the archery Of the