Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-09-15


One indication that the millennium has not
yet come to the world, is the degree Of SYM
patty and interest manifested in the recent
prize fight in New Jersey. When it is con-
sidered that tho amusement" had almost
died out in America, that the stigma OF
brute and felon rested upon every one who
battered his fellow man for sport or money,
and that the feelings Of all good men to.
ward members of the prize ring are those Of
condemnation and disgust, it is remarkable
that such a scene should have taken place
as that at the funeral of the dead prize
fighter last week. Our readers know the
particulars of this fight, how one Of the COM
batants, boy nineteen years of age, was
beaten to death by the blows Of his older
opponent. But at the funeral one would
have thought that the diseased was the coun-
trys favorite, and that he had given up hislife
in some noble struggle for his country's
honor. The streets about the house, we are
told were blocked for hours by waiting null
titudes, eager for glimpse Of the corpse.
A large police force, by admirably devised
arrangements, were able to crafty them.
Lines were formed, and many thousands
were enabled to pass through the house and
view the body. The crush became so
tremendous at last, however, that only IA
vored few societies were permitted to look at
the dead hero. The curious multitude
could see the "backenod, bloated face" sur
rounded by wreaths and crosses Of immor-
telles, and the "hands stripped of flesh, "
holding an inscription which testified that
the dead lad was now "safe in the arms OF
Jesus safe on his gentle breast"
Hardly the appropriate inscription for
one who met his death in the pursuit Of one Of
the most brutal avocations known to civil.
lied communities. But, while we do not
suppose that all Of this multitude assembled
out of respect to the dead prize fighter and
his calling, yet the fact itself is in some re-
spects hurtful in the extreme. Almost any
young boy who read the account as given in
the city papers would naturally think that
the death of Roster Tor Walker) was one
to be cnved and held in as much respect as
we view the death of one who lost his life
for another's sake that tho business of
prize.fghting was calculated to make
one sof.reiant and brave, and one that
would secure respect from all people. They
would not stop to consider the stigma rest
ing upon persons of that class, and the fear
full end to which they almost invariably ar
rive, either spending their last days in prison
or else assassinated by their fellow ruihans.
While such an interest is manifested and
such accounts are given in papers VIC shall
always see young men interest themselves in
such things, and perhaps, as was the case
with young Roster, meet their death before
reaching manhood, by some OF tho pursuits
which such life will invariably lead TO-.
There are enough legitimate and healthy
sports and pastimes which can be advocated
and described, without making the death of
a prize fighter theme for enlargement, and
we might almost say, eulOgy. Such an &C.
currence should always be mentioned so as
to throw the shade of public disapprObatOn
upon it, for moro are guided by the frOwns
and smiles of the world than by their own
cOnsciences. So, if good can be done in this
way, we should never be laggard in embrace
ing every opportunity to accomplish it.