Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-06
KIND Of HEART
IS sullivan
Sends Contribution for Terry McGov-
ern, and In an Extravagant Way
Tells His Philosophy
of Life

When John L. Sullivan was in his
palmy days the greatness of his heart
made him an idol such as the pugilistic
world has never witnessed before or
since. John could not refuse a request
whatever it might be. Perhaps foolish
was John L. but his memory will live
longer than that of any member of the
prize ring fraternity.
Following is a letter written by him
to Mrs. Terry McGovern in response to
request that he be present at re-
cent benefit given the unfortunate
ringster. AS he was extravagant in the
heydey of his career, so John gives
vent to feelings in a manner which
tells his philosophy of life.
My Dear Mrs. McGovern:
Enclosed please find my check for
500. Realizing that the benefit for my
little friend, Terry, is near at hand,
and thinking that the immediate use
of the wounds, l take the liberty of
sending the check to you personally,
for necessity knows no want
Il always appreciated your husband,
and it was with pleasure that I regard
ed him as friend; and friendship, to
me. is greater than riches, for 1 firmly
believe that friendship is no plant of
hasty growth, though planted in es-
tees deep fixed soil, the gradutl cul-
ture of kind intercourse must bring
it to perfection. And friendship, to me-
has always been the wine of life.
II realize your husbands adversely,
and trust that it may have the effect
of eliciting talents which, under pros
porous circumstances, as a general
rule, lie dormant, and I personally re-
alize that the good are better made by
i'll. AS the old saying is, 'Odors
crushed are sweeter still.
mo doubt there are those who would
censure Terry and others in my line
of business, but l have the satisfaction
in my own mind of knowing that the
censure of those who are opposed to us
is the incest commentator that can
be given us.
"I had a very pleasant talk with Ter
ry some time ago, and he made what
| you might term a confession. By that
| I mean he told me what l believe and
have always practiced, that "A man
should never be ashamed to own he
has been in the wrong Which is say
ing, in other words, that he is wiser
today than he was yesterday
LAS a general rule they say that box
ers, or fighters, as some people may be
| pleased to term it, are men of destiny.
| Let that be as it may, but the deflnl-
ton of destiny as I understand 1t, is
that The wheels Of nature are not
made to roll backward; everything
moves on toward eternity From the
birth of time, an impetuous current
| has set in which bears all the sons OF
man toward that interminable ocean
Meanwhile, heaven is attracting
toward itself whatever is congenial ia
its nature, is enriching itself by the
spoils of earth and collecting within
its copious bosom whatever is pure
permanent and divine,
II trust that Terry's illness is not OF
2 nature that will result fatally, and
that he may be among us again; and
| although he may be weaker, he Will be
wiser. for that undoubtedly Is the sltu-
| alton the people in this broad land to-
| day are in, for there is no question OF
a doubt that the world is weaker
and wiser.
IT wish could say to you some
words of comfort In your hour OF
trouble, but / know that no one knows
your mind like myself, and words are
! but like a snowflake in the air. and
only results can tell the story.
| "You have my deepest sympathy. and
trust that my friend Terry VIII be
able to return to you In the near fu'
| ture. . - !,
with all the blessings that can be
showered upon him, and with my very
best regards to you, to Terry's mother
and ali the members of his family ano
yours as we'll, and trusting that your
shadows may never grow less, believe
me IA he ever sincerely yours.
| JOHN L. SULLIVAN"