The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-03-31
Eclipse" Against the Wrold.
4 Very Celebrated RaRRing Race RecOuRted
bu One WhO sag 1t.

4 Very Celebrated Running Race Recounted
.t. by One Who SAG 1t.
Josiah Quincy, in his "reminiscences,
tells this story On May 27, 1923, nearly
sixty years ago, there was great ex-
citement in the city of New York, for on
that day the long-expected race of Eclipse
against the world" was to be decided on
the race-course on Long Island. 1t was
an amicable contest between the North and
the South. The New York votaries of
the turf "a much more prominent interest
than at present-had offered to run Eclipse
against any horse that could be produced
for purse of 100000; and the Southern
gentlemen had accepted the challenge. |
could obtain no carriage to take me to the
course, as every conveyance in the city was
engaged Carriages Of every description
formed an unbroken line from the ferry to
the ground. They were driven rapidly,
and were in very close connection, so much
so that when one of them suddenl stopp-
ed, the poles of at least dozen carriages
broke through the panels of those preced-
ing them.
On arriving We found an assembly which
was simply overpowering; it was estimated
that there were over 100,0 600 persons upon
the ground. The conditions of the race
were four-mile heats, the best two in three;
the course was mile in length. A college
friend, the late David p Hall, had pro-
cured for me ticket to the jockey box,
which commanded view of the whole field.
There was great difficulty in clearing the
track, until Eclipse and Sir Henry (the
Southern horse) were brought to the stand.
They were both in brave spirits, throwing
their heels high into the air; they soon et.
fected that scattering of the multitude
which all other methods had failed to ac-
complish. And now great disappOint-
ment fell, like a wet blanket, on more than
half the spectators. 1t was suddenly an
Lounced that Purdy, the jockey of Eclipse,
had had difficulty with his owner and re-
fused to ride. To substitute another in
his place seemed like giving up the con-
test; but the man was absolutely stubborn,
and the time had come. Another rider
was provided and the signal for the start
was given. | stood exactly opposite the
Judges stand, where the mastering excite
ment found its climax Off went the
horses, every eye straining to follow them,
Four times they dashed by the judges
stand, and every time Sir Henry was on
the lead. The spirits of the Southerners
seemed to leap up beyond control, while
the depression Of the more phlegmatic
North set in like physical chill Direct
ly before me sat John Randolph, the great
orator of Virginia. Apart from his intense
national pride, he had personal reasons to
rejoice at the turn things were taking for
he had bet heavily on the contest, and, it
was said, proposed to sail for Europe upon
clearing enough to pay his expenses.
Half an hour elapsed for the horses to
get their wind, and again they were brought
to the stand. But now circumstance oc-
Cured which raised adcafening shout from
the partisans of the North. Purdy was to
ride. How his scruples had been over
come did not appear, but there he stood
before us, and was mounting Eclipse. Again,
amid breathless suspense, the word Co..
was heard, and again Sir Henry took the
inside track; and kept the lead for more
than two miles and half, Eclipse follow
ed close on his heels and, at short inter
walls, attempted to pass. At every squirt
he made to get ahead, Randolph's high
pitched and penetrating voice was heard
each time shriller than before "You can't
do it, Mr.. Purdy You can't do it, Mr..
Purdy You can't do it, Mr.. PurdyI'
But Mr. Purdy did do it. And as he took
the lead what roar of excitement went up!
Tens of thousands of dollars were in sus-
pense, and although had not cent de-
pending | lost my breath and felt as if a
sword had passed through me. Purdy kept
the lead and came in length or so ahead,
The horses had run eight miles, and the
third heat was to decide the day. The
confidence on the part of the Southern
gentleman was abated The manager of
Sir Henry rode up to the front of our box
and, calling to gentleman, said :-"YOu
must ride the next heat There are hun
dreds of thousands of Southern money de-
pending on it. That boy don't know how
to ride; he don't keep his horses mouth
openr' The gentleman positively refused,
saying that he had not been in the saddle
for months. The manager begged him to
come down, and John Randolph was sum-
moned to use his eloquent persuasiOns.
When the horses were next brought to the
stand, behold the gentleman appeared,
booted and spurred, with a red jacket on
his back, and a jockey cap on his head,
On the third heat Eclipse took the lead
and, by dint of constant whipping and
squirting, won by a length this closely-con-
tested race.
There was never contest more exciting.
Sectional feeling and heavy pecuniary
stakes were both involved. The length of
time before it was decided, the change of
riders, the varying fortunes, all intensified
the interest. | have seen the great Derby
races; but they finish almost as soon as they
begin, and were tame enough in comparison
to this. Here for nearly two hours there
was no abatement in the strain. was un-
conscious of everything else, and found,
when the race was concluded, that the sun
had actually blistered my cheeks without
nv perceiving it. The victors were of
course exultant, and Purdy, mounted on
Eclipse, was led up to the judges stand,
the band playing "See the Conquering
Hero Comes" The Southerners bore their
loss like gentlemen and with good grace.
1t was suggested that the comparative
chances of Adams and jackson at the ap
preaching presidential election should be
tested by vote of that gathering. "Ah,"
said Mr. Randolnh eff the question of the
presidency could be settled by this assem-
bly, there would be no opposition. Mr..
Purdy would go to the White House by
acclamation.'
Nine. Christine Nilsson thinks that
American women are beautiful. The men
in this country she thinks are not as pol
ished, formal, and do not exhibit as much
outward politeness as the European gen.
l Al LIZ Al - -. ,.<,... a1,s4rs l..orro nd