Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-11-16
The Lessons Of the Game.

Considerable is being sara, Slice tHe
tie game of foot ball between Harvard
and Yale Saturday. about the lessons
learned from the contest One OF the
principal things demonstrated 1t would
seem from the expressed opinions of the
foot ball cranks is that brutality need
have no part in the game, however
great the stake. Indeed many seem
to have been surprised and doubtless
not a few of the spectators We're dis
appointed at the absence OF brutality
in that contest. Roughness there of
course for that is inseparable from
the sport. but brutality, such as at
tempts to disable an opponent; gouging
and crushing was not INDUCED in.
Jus. what effect on the future par
ticipation of schools and colleges in the
spor. a brutal. bone crushing game
would have had can only be conjec-
tured. To say that it would have rem
dered it unpopular might be going too
far for at least some of the popular
fascination the game has for the on
locker who isn't verssd in all the
fascination which bull fighting has fol
the Span.ard. This much may be ad-
mtted by those who believe in foot
ball. for in all probability nearly if not
quite as large an audience could again
be attracted and as much enthusiasm
be aroused over another like contest
were the patrons TO know beforehand
that it was to be as free from brutal
ity. Undoubtedly there nave been
many foe. ball contests this season as
free from Objectionable features as was
this particular one but they We're not
of such note. While the element of
danger whether from brutality or
from necessity is an attraction it is not
the only one.
1t must be conceded that there has
been manifested of late growing SEN
tIAiCilt d6dLISt lIIS 6dlIc. Ills has
rot been so marked in New England as
in some states, the reason per-
haps being that there has been less
brutality exhibited here. We have not
thought that sentiment would result in
the prohibition of the game even to the
limited extent that pugilism. that less
dangerous contest, is prohibited. Foot
ball is played under different condi-
tons, with different environment, and
even when the participants leave the
field in a badly disabled condition
there is not the brutal surroundings
and influences one finds at the ringside
The element of danger is a source of
attraction, unquestionably and it is not
yet clear that our civilization has
reached a point where we can as
people afford to disregard it and forbid
our youth exposing themselves to it.
1t has been said that Rome did not de-
cline until she hired others to do her
ity had as much attraction for her as
in the day of her indomitable prowess.
All the sports help to counterfeit the
inroads of luxuries and dissipation.
The Drawn of the foot ball player is
calculated to excite a certain con-
tempt for the degeneration of the
cigarette habit.
All things considered there does not
at present seem to be any necessity for
elimination of the game from school
and college sports and if that neces-
sity should arise it will be rather the
fault of the players than of the play.
To what brutal tricks those opposing
teams might nave resorted Saturday
of the criticism and Of the danger to
the future of the sport. can, of course.
only be surmised But we think it was
then demonstrated very forcibly that
not only is clean foot ball possible I'M
der the most exciting conditions but
that the sentiment which brought that
about is alive and must be kept alive.
Moreover we are not sure. judging from
the various criticisms of the game, but
the sport can be improved by the i'm
PRODUCTION of requirements for more Of
skill and less Of brute strength.