The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-03

ed the Roman amphteatre ever departed from TIE
scene Of blood with this sort of mora nausea.
Probably they did Perhaps, for night or So
the dreams Of the handles and the women were
shot through with the figure OF the brute PROSTATE
under the sword Of his conqueror, waiting III the
vain hope Of the thumbs upturned that should
give him a new lease in life. Blood and the sight
IT IT >ieken the strongest stomach, at tunes. but
i, Is passing sickness. The thirst for blood re-
MAINS deep-bedded III the heart of humanity
that does not seem able to get far away from
primitive lusts.
For these reasons. il is highly probable that the
second race will be duly held Ii is more than
probable that when il is held, It's sacrifices IN
lives ia broken limbs, in manned bodies, Will
exceed even those which marked the latest trial
for the Vanderbilt cup The sickening visions
will pass the dead will be buried the stains will
he wiped away. Again, the great sport-loylns
public will with whetted appetite wend Ms way
10 the scene Of gore.
Alrealv it has been fully demonstrated that
HE automobile Is dangerous plaything 1t is
ia no sense the football OF a harmless sport. l.
j. a deadly engine. capable of fine uses capable
If criminal folly. Just now II Is made 10 pander
10 the Questionable taste for blood 1t is en-
hroned as the means whereby snug society that
would not for worlds colintenanee buil-hght or
cock-tight, prize hight. stakes IFS
thirst for Il light OF the ultimate tragedy OF llfe
and death. All strong emotions bring their IN
eyitable reactions. and il was but natural that III
the moment of safety those who witnessed this
orgy were sick. But such lus,s progressive
and ii Is even more natural thai those who were
sick will soon be all the more eager.
Nevertheless the automobile road race should
60. Ii should come under the ban of the law
lis .,scienifc' pretension 10 the contrary. 1t Is
not in keeping with a civilization largely builded
upon common consent 10 an enforced self-con-
trol thai It should continue 10 prosper. We are
all more or less savage al heart. Our salvation
i 10 curb through society the savage instinct;
is 10 decree trough the power OF the sregarious
what the individual would not have the
moral courage to decree for himself. As law adj
vances subterfuges multiply whereby latent say
aeery finds expression. And as the subtcrfuge
gains way, II should be met soon as recognized
The October race over the Vanderbilt course
should give way TO public sentiment from a
public thrilling IN expectation Of the event
For hours the great racers Wen III bursts of
smoke and flame and noise across a bridge be-
meath which lay the lifeless body and the wrecked
car OF one of their competitors. Sightless eyes,
i'll the morning themselves agleam with the in
toNication of speed. stared upward al the fiends
OF motion still" the game If any looked,
he gave no sign. The great ears roared away on
the course taking their own chances, needless Of
the hideous outcome of the chance Of their fell
low. This in the twentieth century, the century
pitched chiefly upon life, and health. and hap
FuincsS low much better AT heart - II Than the
more candid centuries thai did with the sword
and individual combat what We do with things
Of IRON. with bellies Of fire, and where the IN
diVldual IS powerless to DO aught except to take
his chance with fate-fol a prize!