Waterbury Democrat., 1901-07-27
 THE BULL FIGHT IN AMERICA


 They had a series of bull fights at Omaha recently, and the history af- lords a striking example of the moral effect which these entertainments have upon the beholder. When the enterprise was first matter of public discussion, the humane people of the city. were naturally somewhat exer- cised in mind over the prospect. Not much more than two years ago long discussions of the character of the Spaniard were had, in which it was argued that he must be cruel, because he liked bull fights. There could hardly be so decided an innovation as bull fight on American soil without some commotion.
 But the bull fight was had and it was announced that the performance would be conducted on humane prin- clples, the matadors being armed with wooden swords, and their ob- lect being to worry the bull, not to XII 1t. There would be no danger, there would be no gore; there would only be superb display of strength and skill. The matadors understooa this; so did the spectators; the CO operation of the bull could not for ob- vlous reasons be secured, but was thought that he would come to under stand the rules of the game.
 Apparently he did for the first fight went ofT without anybody's being in- luTed. The bulls were merely leased ana plagued until they became flu r1ous, and chased and were chased until they were exhausted. If they had understood the condition of af- fairs they would probably have lain placidly down to chew the cud of content, but they were puzzled, aud when a bull is perplexed his impulse is to charge.
 The fights were peaceful enough, however, and by degrees the box of nee also became very quiet. There were vast areas of empty seats and word went around the town that the performance was "sIow," and not worth the price of admission Then, Just as if the bull understood the trouble of the managers, something happened which changed the entire atmosphere. An incautious matador was caught on pair of agile horns and tossed skyward to the height of many feet, coming down with Il tnump which resulted in several brok- en ribs, besides q chest lacerated by the bulls natural weapons. They had not taken the precaution to re- place these with wood and pad them With cotton. They never do. It is not customary in bull fights. s
 The next day several thousand peo- pie witnessed the performances. and then there was no more popular en- tertainment in Omaha There are people enough in almost any large city to fill an amphitheatre where a horrible risk is to be taken, and the greater the risk the better they like It. The managers would have had 10 trouble in making their entertain ment pay from the beginning if they had announced danger, death and mti- tilation as part of it. When it be- came apparent that even if the bulls were not hurt, man was likely to be killed or crippled, then there were plenty of spectators. The question is whether 1t is wise to encourage that sort of audience in that sort of emo tions.
 The sight of blood is strangely ex- hllarat1ng to some natures. It seems 10 have gruesome fascination The amusement of watching cruel sport is one which rapidly begets the pas sion Tor cruelty. The people who to- day demand the torture or death of an animal will to morroW I witness with curious, Shiyery sort of de- light the perilous lfeats of d man. and their delight will not be lessened if the man makes a misstep, or fails of quickness of vision and becomes a shapeless, bleeding mass It is not from delight in the witnessing of scenes of blood to actual participa- ton in them. The mob bowling to- day over q bull fight may tomorrow be bowling over the lynching of man or the mauling of some inoffensive person against whom the hue and cry happens to have been raised. It is not safe to arouse this spirit of the wild beast in the human breast. It is not safe to feed, to coddle and to encourage it. It should be left in quietude, sluggish and ill Enourished, and then, perhaps, in times of need, the conscience or the will may be able to restrain it.