Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-17

lucky big fake, already past his prime and
doomed to discontinue If brought face to face
with n good man.
mention these things now because Mr..
Sheedy. who is now spokesman for Sullivanisn,
was clear in his convictions and sound in his
Judgment six years ago that all the great fight
that there had ever been in Sullivan had then
gone out of aim. and that anyhow there never
was anything like so much there as people pic
tured to themselves, as MIR. Sheody, Of
course. had tried to picture TO them.
Mr.. Sheedy discerneo clearly in 1887 the out
come OF Suiiivan's European trip under the
management of Harry Phillips. He anticipated
disaster. and, if a fight negotiated, pre-
dicted defeat. l recall these facts. not because
Mr.. Sheedy's opinions Of men or Judgment in
pugilism are Of great importance, but to sup
port my assertion that MIR. Shecdv, in exslting
Sullivan as great none-such fighter, lie not
talking his true and honest conviction. He
knew better than that six years ago.
WHY coRBErr Is uSpoPu LAR.
Mr.. Corbett has an aggravating way OF not
being an attachment OF lot Of people who
would like slice Of his fat earnings. He does
not after victory "blow" himself over the
bars OF saloon keepers who pose NJ his hackers
ana proht by trading upon their association
with him He is not. believe. piiable thing
in the hands Of the faro bank cappers and
steerers nor does he submit himself in New
York or elsewhere to be Invested of his hide in
encounters with the tiger at such periods
the tiger IL loose Ia his jungle.
Mr.. Corbett is O little too frugal in his ideas,
little too circumspect with respect to his cash,
little too choice with respect to his associa-
lions, little too far removed from "one of the
gang" and from being sot, "a spendthrift and
soft thing for the leg puiler and camp follower
ever to be very popular with whole legion Of
so-caiied sporting people, who, may add,
II he enjoyed their favor, would be worse than
OF no use to him.
There is no use to argue that he is no good NJ
q fighter, and that sullivan, whom he truupced
so thoroughly. is or ever was the greatest III the
world. You cannot make such big man ont of
the loser without enhancing the credit of the
winner. Corbett gave Peter Jackson stand
on Who else in finish fight has done equally
well?
THE FfCHr WITH MITCHELL
: The task which Corbett proposes TO himself
now is the task which Sullivan essayed, and left
off with mutual agreement not to again under
take ii. Charley Mitchell is not easy Nobody
has beaten him. Thcro is no question of the
plth and courage OF the man who goes forth to
do him finish battle
The Euglishman. after two months Of prison
fare and tread-mii exercise. is in n hardened
condition. and, at ITO to 172 pounds il nearly
an even match to Corbett in weight unless Cor
bett comes heavier than against Sullivan. |
hope to range myself when that fight occurs, in
my sympathies Mt least, on the side of my
countryman. my country's champion and the
cause of America.
ANYTHING 10 BEAT CoGBErT."
Matters have come to such pitch with Mr..
Sheedy. Mr.. Pete Donahue and other apostles
OF the lost cause" of John l.. Sullivan that
they seem to be in alliance with "any body to
beat Corbett," black white, English Aus
traian 1t is a comforting thing. of course, to
always have ones own pick of fighter win the
light Sullivan did not win at New Orleans,
for the very sufficient reason that he
wasn't good enough. In an international ques-
ton should hate to be found after all WAS
over not to be able to rejoice over victory for
my own countryman. or to appear in the shout
ing after battle as an American celebrating the
of America.