New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-28
SPORTS IND N0RALS.

II IS a common complaint Of critics of man
ncrs and morals that the old-time seriousness
is departing from American life. Standards
are thought to be more lax. Games which were
frowned upon by good people generation ago
and only INDUCED as forbidden pleasures are
now common home amuSemcnts Inc SUNDAY
newspaper and the Sunday bicycle ride have
undermined the strict Sabbath-kccpinG OF for
mer years. The churches themselves nave
made many concessions TO the latitudinariah
tendency, tolcrating and even commencing IN
duIcenccs that formerly were considered SIN
ful Even the Indignation which greeted the
establishment OF an inn at Princeton under col
legc patronage was only half echoed, ana that
apparently as a matter Of form by the great
body of Prcsbyterians, though such an incl
dent twenty years ago would have aroused
the Church These things are n source or ap-
prehension to many. who from them predict
decay of American morals; but such apprehen-
sion can only be due 10 failure to consider
the improvement in social habits that has gone
along with these changes. and we think, more
than offsets them, even though every one be re-
gardod az a change for the worse.
Take the matter of clubs. for instance. 1t is
not many wears ago that club was regarded
pie, and the name "clubman" carried with It
shade of reproach. Now even in the smaller
towns the club is looked on as a beneflcent In
stitution. II was classed almost win the Sd
loon. 1t Is now put with the public library.
In the large cities of course. the club early en-
loved social prestige, but the TRANSPORTATION
has been marked elsewhere. and II Is due not to
lower moral standards in communities, but to
higher standards In both clubs and communi-
ties. AS clubs have become more popular they
have become higher toned More people may
drink In them. but fewer people drink heavily.
In this and in other respects they only reflect
the growing moderation and healthful tenden-
cies of general society. There is no doubt that
the moral standard of the American college OF
to-day Is higher than It was twenty years ago
In spite of all croakng College sentiment con-
demns evil habits to-day which were regarded
by many then az proof that one was manly and
good fellow.
The same may be said Of society outside the
college II is no longer considered respectable
to stagger away from dinner party. Nor are
so many mems ideas Of FUN" confined TO prac
tees that are harmful and even dsreputable
This is largely due 10 the great Increase In the
variety Of recreations. Men without Intellect
ual resource few years ago had nothing to
do on a holiday They got rid Of idle hours In
n club cafe or in saloon largely because II
was not the fashion to do anything else. Now
they ride bicycles. they play golf or witch
somebody else play II. They 20 10 football
game 4 whole world OF healthy activities Is
open to them which they never thought Of then.
That many 81 these recreations are INDUCED in
10 excess and 10 the neglect OF old-fashioned
duties may be conceded, but there can be no
doubt that the hcalthful sports that have
caused even the most thoughtful and conscien-
tious Of the community 10 depart somewhat
from the old strctness OF conduct have had an
uplifting influence on vast numbers or other
people who without them, would be led from
idlcness 10 mischief. The tone of our life Is
doubtless lighter than It used to be, and lines
Of right and wrong are drawn less closely, but
the average OF conduct is better, and indulgence
In many things formerly frOwncd on Is really
less harmful than OF old for the simple reason
that the Indulgence is taken with selfrespect
and not with the culpable sense Of violation Of
the Church. the family or the social code.