The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-24
THE SEX.
Its SOftening and AmeliOratinE Eject
nm Prize Fighting.
New York Tribune.

-
That was a fine tribute TO the gentler sex
on the part of Mr.. John l.. Sullivan when,
In the course of his great story of the Car
son tournament. he took occasion to refer
to the presence of Mrs. Fitzsimmons at the
ringside as one of the features of that in
spring spectacle that met his most cordial
approval. AS a rule. Mr.. Sullivan says he
is mot in favor of having ladies at fights
though 1T is natural that they should adj
mire fighters" Lest it might be inferred
that this was a self-complacent deduction
from his own experience with the other sex.
he instances George Washington, who was
also "a fighter, and no man was more adj
corning Mrs. F~itzsimmons, he is free to say
that her conduct was admirable. No
woman could have conducted herself with
that | should never permit myself TO crit
icise the individual conduct of any lady"
he continues. II cannot say too much for
the good ii did Fitzsimmons to have his
wife there Her cheering words and adj
vice'-as. for instance. when she said:
Hit him in the ribs. Keep at him in the
ribs; leave his jaw alone: you can never
hurt his jaw'-Mr. Sullivan thinks were
of the greatest encouragement to her heroic
husband. He adds that she lis a lady Of
as Roscoe Conkling used to say, with great
charm of manner" In illustration of the
| great truth which he enuneiates that any
thing to remind you of home at a critical
moment Is a great help TO most men" he
cites an incident in his own career. during
his fight with Mitchell in France. At a
time when Mitchell was almost too weak
to rum his second put his head through the
ropes and yelled: Think of your wife.
a~-crying for bread Mr.. Sullivan remarks,
in passing. that this was all a lie. for
MitGheIrs fa,her,inrlaw is rich and his
Mitchell wonderfully" for 'in less than a
minute" that person spiked him through
dhe instep- SI MI was . 1nly i; ms h emsnu Mha
little touch of tender feeling will do"
There We're other evidences of the soften
ing and ameliorating influence of woman
at the tournament. Mrs. Fitzsimmons's de-
votion was especially conspicuous through
out the entertainment. Toward the close
she became wildly enthusiastic. Now go
member that l am here and looking at you.
Keep punching him in the body Ii was
under such inspiration that Mr.. Fitzsim-
mons's enthusiasm was reused. and he
showed. as Mr.. Sullivan remarks, what a
little touch of tender feeling could do
The softening. and civilizing influence of
woman has seldom been seen to better adj
vantage. How must the words of the poet
have come back with all their pathos and
power to that large and intelligent gather
ing OF spectators:
O woman, in our hours of ease
Uncertain. coy and hard to please,
And variable as the shade
BY the light quivering aspen made.
When pain and anguish wiring the brow.
A ministcring angel thou"
There was another burst of tender feel
ing after all was over; when Mrs. rltzsim,
ACAA
her own mother-Mr. FftZsimmonss
mother-in-law-could not have lived to wit
ness the cheering spectacle. Answering the
| hero's question:: Aren't you proud or me,
| Rose?" Mrs. Fitzsimmons answered: Yes.
| Bob. | am sorry mother was not here 10
| see YOU. 1t was her wish before she passed
away TO see my husband the undisputed
| champion of the world" AT the mention
of his mother-in-law, says one of the high
priced word painters of yellow journalism.
bob broke down and wept like a baby.
Between his sobs he expressed the deepest
regret that she had not lived TO see him
whip Corbett. and said he hoped that II
there was any hereafter she would know
il there" A more touching demonstration
of filial affection for a deceased mother-in-
law could hardly be possible. 1t Is 10 be
remarked. also. that the little touch of
| tender feeling" which inspired Mr.. Mitchell
20 spike Mr.. Sullivan through the instep
had a different effect upon Mr.. Fitzsim-
mons. IL moved the latter to tears. The
| FitZsimmons home, under the soothing in
| fuence and gentle illustrations of Rose
and the mother-in-law. must have been a
| picture of domestic bliss.
We had occasion a day or two ago to
| Populist convention at Denver, where the
| aides drove out a boiler inspector and
| pulled the whiskers out of the face OF a
male disturber. as an encouraging sign of
| the increasing influence of the gentler sex
In public affairs, and its softening and
| ameliorating effect upon the rigoTs of polit-
ical conflicts. The presence of Mrs. Fitz-
| simmons at the ringside and the noble
| tribute paid her by Mr.. Sullivan offer still
| further proofs of progress i'm the direction
of the equality OF the sexes.