Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-07-05
CHATS AND CAMELS.

The great international debate between Mr..
Dempsey and Mr.. Carpenter is over. The in
tellectual and moral superiority OF America over
France has been definitely established Mr.. Demp-
sey has demonstrated that the average American
is superior to the average Frenchman. The hard
ness of Dempseys head was greater than the
strength Of Carpenters thumb Mr.. Dempsey
managed so skillfully that he led Mr.. Carpenter
to break his thumb the Dempsey ball OF solid
ivory. After Dempsey discovered that the Carpen-
tier right had lost its terror he bravely defed all
danger and forced the banner of France to dip to
America The American public gladly contributed
1000 to the spectacle.
It would be interesting to know how many
thousands Of columns Of newspaper space have
been devoted to this engagement during the past
two months. For this space the newspapers were
paid nothing 1t was given in response to public
demand. The newspapers did not awaken popular
Interestingly responded to it.
Interest in this bout confided to no class
OF people. Almost every man, woman and child
waited breathessly for the returns. There is no
denying q universal interest in America in the
outcome France was even more excited.
All of which is construed by people as an
evidence that veneer of civilization Is very
thin. 1t doubtless is is evidenced by our readi-
ness to relapse into savagery and become lawless
mobs. But such theory explains the psychoo-
81 of the public interest in this bout
boxing contest appeals to a primal instinct
Seh-preservation is basic human instinct
Every man, and child possesses it. To
protect ones self skilfuly and bravey. arouses
admiration and interest. Law and order can never
advance to the point where the demands of our
environment will not require to look after our
selves and protect ourselves from danger We
instinctvely admire those who choose what we
feel constitutes dangerous situation and meet II
courageously and skillfully.
Moral reformers can never successfully combat
this deep, human instinct. For them to attempt
1t is an evidence of lack of understanding. Regu-
lation of the tendencies of the brutal is
necessary Decency demands that such contests
be made more or less parlor affairs To give d.
rection and regulation to the outlet of this prima
instinct is highly proper. Its repression is i'm
possible The repressed instinct will break out ir
place.
The manly art of self-defense" will always
be popular because of Its primal appeal to pri.
NAL instinct. We admire game loser almost as
much as we do a winner He resisted yielding tc
superior force the best he could
No generation In the immediate century ahead
will the repression of prize fighting. We doubt
whether any other century will see it.
1t is the opinion of the Journal that such con.
tests the one under discussion not disgust
ingly brutal. They are far more apt to be fake
than tragedies, A boxing contest when we'll regu.
lated, is much less brutal than a football game
To clean up the environment and the moral at
mosphere surrounding these contests is the prob
lem of clean sportsmen, 1t is this atmosphere
which poisons.
Neither Of the contestants in this affair were
IN any real danger. Both walking the street;
In hour with nothing more serious than
bleak eye and bandaged thumb relics Of the
struggle
If the American public demanded cessation
Of wars, would stop. Yet public sentimen
compes toward International disarma
ment peaceful method of settling information
al troubles. We compacently encourage tht
spending of billions In preparation to kill
Yet frown on boxing matches as brutal.
We still strain at gnats but swallow cames.