The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-06-07
A CRUDE MORAL CODE

Although the performance of the mob
at st. Louis that burned an arena to
the ground because it could not get
back the money it had paid for show
that did not materialize must be de-
nounced as another of those daily. ex-
hibitions of disregard of law which are
flying danger signals in every part of
the United States, no one can grieve
over the actual consequences. Indeed,
the fact that such an enterprise could
be put upon it's feet at all and could go
so far as the construction of a theater
for real old fashioned bull fight is the
most curious commentary upon the hy-
pocrisy that reigns in American morals.
The state of Missouri has, we be-
lieve, like nearly every other state,
law against prize fighting. This So
called sport is particularly reprobated
on account of it's brutality. The au-
thorities controlling any national ex-
position and members of congress who
NOlC 1t are always
fearfully concerned over the question
whether it should be opened or closed
on Sunday. Not even though the ma
chinery is stopped and the exposition
offers to the visitor only the admirable
lesson of it's imposing edifces and its
silent exhibits can these great and
good men bring themselves. to, tolerate.
the injury to public morals that would
come from allowing people who have
worked hard during the other six days
to walk quietly through the grounds
and buildings on Sunday. But there is
not the slightest interest aroused by
preparations to place alongside the fair,
and practically as part of it, an exhibit
ton of literally the most cruel and
most bloodthirsty so-called sport ever
invented by man.
There is nothing more ignoble, more.
cowardly and more debasing in the
whole list Of amusements than the bull
| fight. The animal is brought into the
arena for the sole purpose of being tor
tured to death. The only objects of it's
wrath that run the slightest risk are
the poor horses, a number Of which are
sure to be disemboweled or manned.
The tormentors Of the bull have learned
the tricks and devices of their trade by
which their safety is never endangered
except by some extraordinary accident.
The whole show is to put the bull to
death by slow and ingenious suffering
at the cost Of an even more terrible
| death to other and nobIer beasts. We
think we may go so far as to say that
no people among whom the bull fight
is a recognized and permitted institu-
ton can be other than decadent.
Yet there was an apparent demand
for this vile show on the part Of, the
American public. There was capital
| and enterprise ready to start it, There
was a sufficient assurance of it's tolera-
ton to warrant the construction of a
building costing some thousands of
dollars. There was no interference or
| interruption with the proceedings until
at the very last moment, when the gov
ernor of the state was forced to inter-
fere by the protests of religious and
humane societies. Then he forbade the
bulls to be tortured; and the human
animals who had come to see the Dlav.
very properly according to their nature,
turned around and burned the place
down The affair draws its own moral,
and it is one which we would commend
for the most permanent and prayerful
consideration to those whose chief &C.
cupation in life it is to make clean the
outside Of the cup and platter.