The New York herald., 1876-09-25
susryEss OPPORTUNITIES.
THE CENTENNIAL RIFLE MATCH.
To THE Ep,roR OF THE HsaALp:-

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HsaALp:-
sure It Will bc admitted by all our people, as
well by the OF tho foreign teams, that the
arrangements made by the HERALD were emncntiy
creditabc in giving only the most reliable inior-
nation regarding the hourly progress OF the eompet
ton at Creedmoor last week. but also the valuable
illustrations Of targets sho, by each compet-
tor. whereby all who wero present the ground
could the readily understand your descriptions
and admire the brilliant fcais OF Workmanship ais
played As satisfactory the results OF .he Two
days shooting 10 the American nation none the less
the enterprise OF tho HggAlD, aud II only makes
another addition 10 that long st oi brilliant achieve.
mcnts Tor which 1t has gained renown IN the ueu ui
Journalism. But sir, have we much cause, alter all
TO be 50 loud IN our praises. We have gained tue
trophy, 10 DO sure, and been styled the champions
OF The world. TO me- however, and many Others
not intimately posted IN such natters-t has Always
been mystery why one day could not suffice TO de-
termine the result, or why could not the battle nave
been prolonged lof three vur or ve da! vi course
that the excitement attending such friendly
struggles would rise gradually from mean tcmpera'
ture up to boiling and lever heat aud us elect upon
The speciators' IN creating more enthusiasm ana out
ward demonstration, would spread, like contagious
disease, 10 tho shoosts themselves. That THIS, or
something ike IT, took place the second day APP
pears 10 me to be very evident--at least lhe on,y
solution to the question why all tho teams tell so much
below their FIRST days totaisY
careful study OF your admirably prepared tables
shows tins rcsu-that the
Americans scored 20 points less than on the hrst
day
Irish scored 90 points less than the first day.
Australians scored rs points less than on tue hrst
day
Canadians scored 81 points than the first day
And Quile probable that II the contest had lasted
two or three days tho coveted prize would have
boon taken from shores That Tho nrst days
shooting the most splendid record, either here
or ut Wimbledon England ali are ready to believe
Ior tho marksmen went to their positions calm aud
collected, with steady nerves and unclouded eyes-un-
Affected yet by the enthusiasm aud excitement OF
friends and supporters. and continued TIL The close
OF tue day. when the scotch were ahead OF ALL II the
contest had then terminated, much we would have
regretted it, the trophy would have found resting
place Tor the year probably III the Municipal Hall oI
Edna Scota's darling scat.
II Is worthy OF note, too in connection with the per-
forms OF this team, that to OF them Is due the
honor OF having made the highest total tat the
three ranges recorded IN the Two days shooting Mr.
McVittio made the grand total of 2O9 on the hrst
day--the nearest approach TO him being 2O6,
recorded by Mcssrs Rieby and johnson, OF
the Irish team. followed BY our Dakin with oo3,
and ADAM OF the Canadians with 202 such score as
this was attained Friday the highest recorded
being 203 by Rathbonc. II the countrymen OF the
scotch team feel satisfied with days cool aud
we'll conducted victory over the rest, and proud OF
McVittie's splendid and unapproached score, wo
certainly cannot deny them having good cause lor
Joicing. One more bull'soye by DR.. Mitchell would
have made them jubllant; bu. to Miner, o. tho
Irish team, belongs the honor OF beng dubbed the
champion shot
Whc 1 am sure are all willing to recognize the
justness OF tho claims, yet we the Americans,
cording to the rules Of the competition. possess the
champion team, aud has been we'll SAID by OF It's
MEMBERS VIII be ever ready 10 do battle Tor tho reen-
tion OF the trophy In this country.
We know now iuli well the quality OF craftsmanship
We have compete against; ana have no doubt
that this grand centennial and international rile COM
petition will be the means OF developing rifle shooting
10 as great perfection as ba, yachting, &C. have
been arrived at in this country.
In welcoming our friendly foes once more to our
shores wo can only wish them better luck, but OF
course, stil better luck 10 our own boys. am Sir.
yours &c, Y. NJ u.
NEW YORK. Sept 10, 1915