Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-01
The Vacant Throne.

Cane Tunney has quit the ring. Some
say that this strange Gslahsd among
the Ga aims of the roped canvas in
tends to study philosophy at the Sor-
bonnie. others that he viii prepare HIM
self for holy orders, and still others that
ne will marry and settle down u the
placid life of country gentleman.
The heavyweight champion of the
world does not say what ne intends to
do. Probably he does not know. Cir
cumstances seem to have made his re-
tirement unavoidable. There is no
foensn left worthy of his glove The
reasons that lead him to vscate his
throne are easily appreciated and &C
cepted,
But Trnney leaves place which I,
may be impossible to fill The heavy
weight championship itself is Of no
great intrinsic consequence. It's SYM
bolc consequence. however. is almost
inestimable. The idols OF the ace are
not changed easily. The ability to beat
any other man In the world will for
many. many generation TO come remain,
for all practical purposes cause for
idclstrv,
For ov far the great part Of the his
tory of the human race leadership de-
pended on ability to fight. That indi-
vidual stood highest in the esteem Of
his fellows who was most formidable
with the weapons OF the day. whether
bare fsts or broadswords. II was only
yesterday, comparatively speaking, when
any other sort OF ability commanded
any respect at all. Even in Greece
philosophers and poets sometimes were
slaves. A mere two thousand-odd years
has been far from SUFFICIENT to change
the pattern OF the human mind
Nc other form of competitive en-
deavor appeals quite so strongly 10 the
imagination rs prize fighting. simply
because 1t is the most highly individual
form 1t is an expression of that indi-
viduality which. by the laws Of nature,
is dominant in every man. Systems OF
ethics cannot change the pattern.
Logic cannot change 1t.
The individual can. in p sense. iden-
tify himself with the base ball player.
the foot ball PLAYER. etc. But this
identification never Is very sincere.
Much OF the success Of these athletes
depends upon team work. Corpora
ton Is al the best only secondary
human impulse The cooperative en-
terprise never has very strong appeal
TO the imagination.
But prize fighting b an expression
OF the solitary man. the dominant ego,
the all-conquering individual
Hence. until human nature Is changed
radically. the heavyweight champion
will remain an idol after whom thou
sands OF men and boys unconsciously
will model their lives This Ia not
very complimentary fact. But It can
hardly be disputed
Prize fighting In the past often has
been Cisreputahle. Doubtless 1t stu Is
furnished But the importance OF hsv-
ing In the highest position man who
exemplifies In his life something Of the
ideals which have been identified, now
ever falsely with kniehthood ID great
indeed
The champion Is an expression OF
the individuality of his time and gem
grafton. Tunney was the expression Of
the individuality Of the better type Of
returned soldier. He was placed In
position where, for all practical pur-
poses, he exerted an enormous infiu-
ence on the lives OF thousands Of per
sons.
This is the position which probably
wili pass TO a less worthy man.
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