The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-17
a WomAx,s view or pRrzEr1eHr1xe.
Mrs. lille Devereux Blake Protests Against
Similar Exhibitions.


Mrs. lille Devereux Blake Protests Against
similar Exhibitions.
Mrs. Lille Devereux Blake has issued the
following protest against prizenghting:
On Tuesday last eight thousand men as
sembled to witness prizehght. and this not
far away in some Western State where tho In
diana still roam and some OF the ancient saw
age instincts may be supposed to have sway.
but here In the heart OF our civilization, In the
Empire State, almost within the limits OF the
metropolis OF the Western world. The brutal
spectacle was witnessed by a crowd that rep
resented every class OF our citizens. even those
who claim to be most refined and who consider
them selves entitled to be called gentlemen In
the highest meaning OF the word. Many per-
sons OF standing in other countries were also
present. including the gallant Irishman who
has come here to win from us. II possible. the
great trophy OF the yachtsman's success: he.
like many another In the throng. haa the repu-
tation OF being kind-hearted: yet hot one
voice was raised to rebuke the cruel spectacle,
and the unanimous regret OF all those present
was that the sport closed so abruptly and that
the fortunes OF the antagonists were not moro
prolonged.
Not long ago. when the match between Cor
bett and FltZslmmons was proposed. every
friend OF humanity rejoiced at the difficulty
with which place was found where the coz
test could take place. Texas and Louisiana
alike disdainsd to give permission for the en-
ACTIN ent OF such scene within their borders.
and Ii was only in remote and half-reclaimed
Nevada. whore the Utes and the Apaches still
practice their hdeous rites. that the cham
pions and their friends were made welcome.
Then We were proud OF the fact that there was
SO little mpathy with such rufflanly encoun-
ters in the moro populous portions OF our land.
k,,k L. t. he h.I ali hao
| a prizefght took place on Coney Island. at the
very gateway OF our great city. and the win
ner OF the Carson City mill went down In the
ring a disabled man.
1t 10. OF course. understood that all these
'sparrIng matches are with gloves and this
is supposed to make them quite harmless and
pleasant. 90 that no one need object. but as a
matter OF fact the cruelty OF the battle 10 but
little diminished by this pretence OF softness.
In the description OF the match on Tuesday We
, read that after Palmer had been knocked down
| he staggered to his feet. his knees were shak-
ing and there was a dull look In his eyes,
and that whom he had been again knocked
| down. McGovern struck blow after blow.
| finally landing one terrific left-hander on the
| pit OF his stoma ch' followed by a right-hand
mash on the Jaw after which Palmer writhed
| In pain and turned over on his side He strug-
| gled vanly to get off the floor. but could not
| raise himself. even with his hands No one
present seems to have deplored this spectacle.
and the victor In discussing the affair after IL
| was all over said I caught him good and hard
with my left hand under the heart and this had
| a tendency to weaken him This statement
OF an intention to inflct an injury that might
| have been fatal met with no rebuke
IT 10 not a pleasant story for any one OF SYM
pathetic sensibilites to psruse. but all this Is
| spread out In the papers for our boys to read
! to the stimulating OF every lower instinct, for
our girls to read with danger Of pervertine
| their tender natures. and for our young
mothers to read with who can tell what dread
| full effects on their children.
| The twentieth century 10 at hand. a century
| wherein the gentle influences OF womanhood
| may have moro power. and We shall see better
| things. certain 1t 10 that the people Of the
! future will look back with horror on the bar
| barities and brutalities Of the nineteenth CEN
| tury. and one OF the most astonishing OF these
| win be the prizefRht as patronized by men
who called themselves civilized"