The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

President Alderman Of the University
Of North Carolina is q strong friend OF
football. In q recent letter he writes
that he believes IN the game when 1t
is properly safeguarded. because by
careful study Of the whole question on
the ground, / believe that there Is
training In it that makes for manliness
and courage and vigor and self re-
straint. 1t suits the stun in our Anglo
American blood. / was in Richmond
with our boys during their recent VIC
tory and / have never seen men behave
in a more gentlemanly way" The
Messenger used to devote time and
space to the exposure OF the game
when it was so very brutal and so pro-
ductive OF deaths and casualties gen.
orally. 1t was warred upon because of
this mainly by English medical jour-
mails and American newspapers of high
grade Of intelligence and influence. In
the north the degrading features includ-
ing rowdyism, gate money etc., were
particularly denounced, v when
northern presidents and professors in
colleges and universities were well
nigh crazy over the excellence of the
game. Lately the New York Evening
Post thanked God that there were no
college foot ball teams in that city to
disturb Or mar Thanksgiving day.
Public sentiment was toe strong for the
friends and indorsers of the game when
most Objectionable, fierce, brutal, and
dangerous. The London Lancet report
ed 9 deaths and a large list of wounded
for one year. In this country for sew
eral successive years the casualties
were numerous and scores were killed
or MANNED for life. Public sentiment,
healthful and resolved, was so strong
that the game has changed. Trips of
college teams are no longer but drunk
en- orgies and the dangers are very
greatly lessened, we rejoice to believe.
It is now more decent, reputable, and
civilized game as played. DR.. Alder
man incloses us a letter from a gen.
tleman who writes f%avorably of the
game. He says that coming from a
stranger it gave me more pleasure than
all the victories and shows a state of
things happening hundreds of miles
away when the men were unaccom-
panied by their professors. Mr.. God
frey is the general secretary of the
Young Mems Christian Association of
the state of Georgia"
The letter is well calculated to make
the distinguished president feel good"
for it is indeed a fine tribute to the
gentlemanly bearing of the team from
his university. Here it is in full:
Athens. Ca, November %, 1888.
President University of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill, N. c.:
My Dear Sir:-Some days ago a state
secretary of the Young Mems Christian
Association of one of our southern
states was travelling towards Atlanta
from the west of Georgia, and was
about four hours on the train with the
foot ball team from your institution.
In speaking of the occasion, he said
Tin misunderstanding coming from
West Point several days ago 1 was
about four hours on the train with the
foot ball team from the University of
North Carolina, and never in my life
did l see such a gentlemanly set of foot
ball players. In fact, in not a single
instance was their conduct anything
but the most manly, the most dignified,
and the most courteous. l sat with
them and I did not hear one single
syllable which was the least bit pro-
fame, obscene, indecent, or in any way
Objectionable. They were not at all
loud or boisterous; they joked some in
a goodnatured way among themselves,
but in everything were most orderly.
They talked about their two recent vic
tories, but not in a Dragging, boastful
way. When they got If at stations,
they'd yell once or twice heartily, but
that everyone enjoyed. Such a team
deserves to be victorious, and I for n
am glad they are"
1 take the liberty of writing the above
because L KNOW Twill De gratifying, 10
you, because In this day of dirty" foot
ball, I like to see those encouraged who
play ''clean" ball and conduct them
selves as gentlemen.
/ trust you will let the boys know of
the above and let me say l wish them
success on Thanksgiving day.
Very sincerely,
BLAKE w. GODFREY, A. B.,
University of Alabama '97.
General Secretary Y. M. c. A.