The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-06-11

VINO are more dangerous than rattle
snakes. Lord Alfred seems to lie weak
minded and cifoninate, and have no
doubt that il would have been bless
ing to the world, aud especially to his
parents, had he died in his cradle. The
marquis Of Quccusbcrry may not be
saint, but he is ii sturdy Briton, and he
has set an example of parental vigor
that has made all lovers of pugilism
proud of the author of the Quecnsberry
rules.
The New York World recently print
ed an excellent profile picture of John
l.. Sullivan in his priwo, labelling il:
The Greatest Fighter Ever Rorn." 1t
also gave nearly column OF culoey OF
Boston,s erstwhilo foremost slngger
that was worry amusing to those WHO
knew the big fellow" and were fore
most among his friends when the
author of the article was in kniclxcr-
bocllers. John Boyle o'Roilly was
true poet, and he was one OF the warm
est admirers OF Sullivun's prowcss that
ever lived. He wrote description OF
Sullivan's manner of assault that was
IL prose poem, beside which the article
i'll question is but dishwatcr cotnparcd
to champagne. Almost ltomeric in it's
descriptive grandeur, all other tributes
to Sullivan nro pucrilo beside it, It's
author was one OF the many who
thought Sullivan would dcicnt linn
Corbctt in n jiiry, and never forgave
the champion for proving him no
prophet.
The Worlds rhapsodist suys: "Thc
test of courage lies not in mans abil-
ity to hop around prize ring and
dodge trouble, but his willingness to
maintain under all circumstances his
right to rule creation. Sullivan, for in
stance, is old and not the man he was.
But it is quite safe to assume that he
could drive Corbctt or any other fighter
out of any ordinary small room if dis
pute arose. Corhctt and other fighters
under such circumstances might reflect
that row would be undigniiicd orthat
it might damage thQir faces for acting.
but Sullivan would have only one idon
-hc would long to dcmolish the offend.
ing person, and his soul would be dc.
voted without reflection to thnt object
When he fought in France with hostile
Englishmcn all around him he had one
small but able supporter III the person
OF Billy Porter, the burglar. Mr. Por-
ter had killed several men. 1t was gen
orally understood that he was rcndy
and willing to kill several more. He
was looked up to even by the Birm;nr-
ham toughs. When Sullivan fought
Porter stood in his corner with both
hands in his pockets. In each hand he
he "a Mi
very fairly on that occasion Mr. Por-
ter, now serving a life sentence in
German salt mine, or perhaps dead. de-
clarcd that he had no bet on the nght,
and he had como simply to do his duty
by Sullivan, tho only real fighter, in
his opinion, that over lived. !Ir. Porter
had his weaknesses and his life was not
good one. But it was he who hid in
safe and then blew the safe open
from the inside, blowing himself sense
less and trusting TO his pals TO get him
out. Hc was u burglar and pest, but
he was Judge of plain, everyday
courage"
Sometimes an article Is as remark
able for what it doesn't tell MS for what
1t does relate, and this one is of that
character. Not word, it will be noted.
is said OF this lion-hearted man who for
nearly all the last hour OF their fight
stood at bay in front of Charley Mitch
ell, who WAS his inferior in height. in
weight, in reach, in strength and in
name, utterly powcrless to do him in
jury. That was nice predicament for
the greatest fighter eyer born wasn't
1t? Not word, either, is said of the
fact that Sullivan was only saved from
defeat on that occasion by his manager
brihing Mitchcls seconds to induce
him to consent to draw. No one
knows better than do TINT John T..
Sullivan was great glove fighter.
was tho first who over gave him
chance to demonstrate this, outside of
his native Boston, but I say now, with
out the fear OF successful contradiction,
that in skill, in strength and in courage
in his palmiest day or night, he never
was tho equal of the man who now
bears the title Of champion Of the world
Jim Cofbett.
Next to Jim Corbett and Potter Jack.
son. think the greatest fighter IN the
ring to-day is Peter 6iaher, the So
called Irish champion" It is truo
that he has been beaten by Bob Fitz-
simmons, but no was % comparative
novice then, and even now he is not q
safe man to bet on, because of his dis
like TO proper training, but l believe
that properly prepared he can defent
q rNy