Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

IN THE STAR
Fifty years ago Washington was oc-
caeionally regaled with a genuine prize
fight somewhere in this vi
A Prize cinity. although the laws
then, as now. we're strict in
clSht' forbidding such exhibitions.
A fight of this character took place dur
ing the night Of June 20. 1856. between
Samuel Collier Of Baltimore and Bar
ney Aaron Of New York for $500 a side
and the championship of the light
weights. The scene of the contest was
at a point on the Virginia shore near
Pohick creek, and two steamers carried
a large crowd from Washington, the
Winnissimett and the Mariner. The
ring was pitched about a mile and a
half inland. The battle lasted two
hours and five minutes. with both men
so badly punished that they had to be
carried back to the boat on stretchers.
Aaron's seconds threw up the sponge
and the fight was awarded to Collier.
The Star Of June 81, 1866, said:
Tho fight drew a large number OF
sporting men from different parts of
the country. among them the well
known pugilists Lazarus. Bolster and
English Of New York. also representa-
Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York,
who were provided with positions in
the ring. The boats left Pohick about
IL o'clock, reaching Washington about
1 pm. The news of Golfers victory
was soon circulated about town, Great
in al
who seemed to be in the majority here.
Groups collected at the street corners
to talk the affair over, but any person
who had been a spectator of the hard
est contested fight In America was
sure to be the hero of a circle of eager
listeners. But later in the afternoon
fluttering and scatteration OF all
such gatherings was occasioned by a
rumor that the chief of police was
making a raid upon the principal par
Elephants and spectators in the affair.
and pretty soon not a man could be
found willing to admit that he was within
twenty miles of Pohick this morning."
In The Star of June %. 1866. is an
editorial discussion II the new party
alig n ment in this
The New Party country oecasioned
by the results of the
Alignment. civil war, in part as
follows:
During the struggle of the nation
for existence party lines were very
sharply defined. and men were set down
as for the Union or against 1t. The
nature Of the contest did not admit OF
such a thing as neutral or conserv-
alive position. When the cause OF the
Union triumphed and the rebellion was
put down by force of arms there re-
manned the work of restoring the
states to their former status. Here
the questions involved were of great
delicacy and immense responsibility
and at once the victorious party of the
Union. united in the wish for complet-
ing their work. were delighted as to
the means. President Lincoln, who
leaned to the side Of mercy. announced
his policy of early reconstruction even
before the actual termination of hos
tilities and thereby brought upon him
self the censure of many who had
stood by him in the thick of the con-
f1ict. New elements were gradually
eliminated and other questions brought
before the people, until now no one
can shut his eyes to the fact that in
spite of the efforts of the politicians of
extreme views on either side to force
the people into one or the other Of the
parties they represent there Is a third
party--a large and growing body, hold
ing conservative views - standing be-
tween the extremists and led by the
President and the prominent members
of his administration.
while northern extremists tell us
daily in their speeches and papers Of
the fierce, bloody and unsubdued spirit
of the south. which must still be gov
erned by the bayonet and held Gas
provlnces) in subsection to Congress-
and the southern extremists prate Of
the kind and loyal feeling of the peo-
pie in that section and urge that every
thing should be forgiven and all the
excluded states admitted at once with
out conditions. the conservatives of
the country, while acknowledging the
fact that more or less disaffection ex-
lists throughout the south, recognize it
as a natural result of the conflict in
which the southern people were de-
feated and believe that only few poll
ticfans are active in keeping up such
manifestations and that the great mass
OF the southern people who were forced
into hostility to the Union by crafty
become good and loyal citizens If a
course of kindness and conciliation is
pursued toward them. Holding these
views. they urge the immediate ad-
mission of such of the excluded states
as give evidence of their good faith by
the election of loyal representatives.
That the south should all at once be-
come loyal to the government and love
the power which conquered 1t they do
not hope or expect. But they hold that
the southern people have experienced
the strength of the government and
will respect it accordingly. and il they
find it magnanimous as well as power
full they will soonest become recon
ciled to it. This is reasonable But
that any mon who for four years
fought for the maintenance of the
Union should now stand in the way of
the accomplishment of that work does
seem unreasonable. On these issues
the conservative men of the country
are willing to go before the people"
With Austria and Prussia on tho
verge Of war fifty years ago the ques-
ton of the attitude of
European the neutral powers of
Europe was one of keen
NeuIrdls. interest. In The Star of
June 23, 1865. is the following extract
from the Independence Beige of Brus-
sells on the subject:
IF war breaks out what will be the
attitude Of the neutral powers? At
Vienna the people fiatter themselves
that Russia will be with Austria
against Prussia. That the st. Peters,
writ ha