The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-21

The presence of the histrionic prize
fighter Corbett on our local stage the last
week naturally suggests the inquiry
whether public sentiment grows more
tolerant of prizefghting as the popular
taste for athletics increases in America.
There is no question concerning the in
crcasing taste for athletic recreation in
America; but. nevertheless, We are glad
to believe that IL is not accompanied with
larger tolerance for that brutal abuse of ath-
letics that dragging down to the ditch of
physical culture that is expressed by prize
iighti:sg. Muscular Christianity is good,
bu, prizefighiing is but the modern sur
yiyai If the hideous brutality Of the arena
in the worst days OF imperial Rome; it is
the tigerish thirst for the sight and smell
OF blood. which is one OF the lurking devils
Of hufaan nature.
In al the enlightened countries of Eu-
rope she Law prohibits prizcfghting: in
the United States it cannot legally take
place save in Louisiana and Texas. two
states that furnish us with our most hor-
rlble object lessons in mob law. In Eng
sfftl hltc ssN o Nstiti&ca ~ StCsItN ttiat u
prixet9ght is far more difficult than in
America. despite the fact that the English
are a saost pugnscious race and a nation
of pugili.ts. There are as many, probably
more. persons in England who dearly love
a prizefight as in America. bat England
en.orses her Law. while In America we are
more disposed 10 wink at its evasion. rs
T.
OF tbs Union where il is forbidden by
status. In the vast majority of our states.
however. the government is not disposed
10 WAX a, participating; il has decided
that IT is a thing Of evil influence and hru-
tai coancidents. and having once placed its
judgment in statute form it stamps out
~prixeisehtlng with no more consideration
for lie friends high And low than i, would
have for an aiastcrer Who pleaded in his
do,euae tina; he believed In free love and
sexasi s,nnisies, or for a bigsmiss who
Offered to nroye that he was n Mormon
who's religious faith ha! educated him 10
be \ s;olyssm.st for the glory Of God.
The custom o; rrixeaghting iii not die
Of sies decay in Engisni. as it does in
Amecica. 1t MSS not more than City
ycare.ago ia rather a iourishtng condition
IN lt.. British Isles. rfiseughters were
once IN raglaBd the pride of their eoau.
,ryu.en 50 much 40 that one Of them was
returned - The house of even
IS oac MorrSsey MAS sent - congress.
The scotch scholar and poet. Prof. Vii
san fCaflstopher Sog;hl ore whipped a
rros1Ysiona! pagllist: the poe. Meats
shipped a town bully. ami fsyron took
lesss.as tn boxing Of the famous prize
aeh;sr Jackson. who WHIPPED the cele-
brasei Jss ne.ster. Mendoza Mendoza
suclGied among his patrons and s4mirer.
Gccpse tse Fourth and the Marquis of
cueeasAeffy.
Tsa change In English public opinion.
wh.oa for ,ae last garty years has caused a
| rspis decline IN the prize ring. we asiElsa:c
larSs.y - the humane influence Of Prince
Agte +; and Victoria. The queen and her
able xansors acre 1s conspicuous for per-
sonak humanity. neral refinement. virtue,
p.s:g. purity and ca!:are - her nacles.
Gros.e ~. aaA William ~. tad been con.
spiefsoas !og ssngGrtsy. brutality. vice. IN
humanity and ca&rseness, Before the
aay IL Victoria yegue men Of faxhlaa snd
nsarar Of the mobility acre arden, patrons
CT ssse rssxe ring. TIE Msrqa,, % Water
sera. of tbs he1se III Bescsfora, repeat
o.ly feagas hss nshss With haeSnssn in
! the ssrss;s Of Loe4oa and Nsw Yosk-