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According to the opinions of a large and in
some degree a respectable class of the commu-
nity, the most important event of the day occur-
red on Wednesday near Buffalo. We refer to the
pugilistic encounter between those distinguished
champions of the ring, Mr. Morrissey and Mr.
Heenan, the latter rejoicing in the affectionate
soubriquet of the "Benica Boy." As will be seen
by our telegraphic advices from the Canadian
field of Mars, the fight resulted in the victory of
Morrissey, who wears the champion's belt, and
whose brows are decorated with the conqueror's
bays.
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The excitement in the city yesterday, when
the result of the bloody encounter was an-
nounced, rose to the boiling point. For a few
hours the great triumph of the successful gla-
diator clouded the sunlight of public favor which
had sparked in the eyes of one of the most
charming artistes that ever captivated our public,
and obscured the laurels placed on the brow of
La Piccolomini.
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We have the great gladiatorial event the
prominence and importance to which it is enti-
tled. The Herald of to-day contains a full and
graphic description of the preparations for the
encounter, charming biographical sketches
of the contending gladiators, an account of
their preliminary training, and a copy of the rules
under which they agree as to the exact manner
in which they shall proceed to bruise and maul
each other until one shall be pounded into an
aknowledgment of the physical supremacy of
the other. The record is in many respects a
curious one, and although it seems paradoxical
to say so, it is really an instance of the progress
of the age. In medieval times the trial of skill
by combat and the duello was confined, as a
matter of course, to nobles and gentlemen.
The common people, who were not privileged to
bear arms, resorted to their fists, or to the
quarterstaff, which cracked many an English
skull in the good old days when the Eighth
Harry was King. A century later we find the
journals of the day recording the pleasing fact
that any gentleman who was desirous to have
his head battered, for the trifling considera-
tion of a couple of shillings, might be
accommodated on any day of the week
at an agreeable establishment called the
Cockpit. In those days there was no long train-
ing or heavy betting. A gladiator issued his de-
fiance on one day, and was taken up on the next.
We do these things more elegantly now-a-days.
The ring has become one of the dearest institu-
tions of the British realm, and has extended it-
self to our shores, where its influences have killed
more of our young men than war or pestilence.
This very fight between Morrissey and Heenan
has made as much town talk as if it were
some great achievement of science or wonderful
exhibition of strategic skill on the battle field.
The city has been temporarily emptied of the
ringleaders in its fighting element, while their
retainers are watching with the deepest anxiety
for the announcement of the result. For the mo-
ment these very nice persons have overlooked
the fact that to them is confided by a generous
people the regulation of the political affairs of
this metropolis, and we have good reason to fear
that they have for the time being neglected their
important duties. Let us hope they will make
up for lost time before election day.
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In view of the intense public interest in the
encounter between modern gladiators who
represent the principles upon which our mu-
nicipal government is founded, we would suggest
a grand "muscle demonstration" to the con-
quering hero and his defeated opponent. We
would be magnanimous, because, though over-
come, he may not be entirely wiped out, unless
he should happen to die, which would be painful
to him. The members of the Common Council
must recollect, also, that these men of muscle are
more faithful to each other than are the poli-
ticians for whom they work to their fellows, and
that conciliating both parties is, therefore, the
best policy. When the distinguished Mr. Hyer
hammered the famous Mr. Sullivan, the con-
queror was received with due honors by a num-
ber of "private gentlemen" representing the
cream of the faro and fisticuff world. But as the
Corporation has a direct interest in the fighting
man per se, and frequently rewards the hardest
hitter with the highest place, it seems eminently
proper that the heroes of today should have a
grand civic reception, including congratulatory
orations, complimentary resolutions, and grand
muscle processions, after the fashion of the cor-
tege at the funeral of the late lamented Mr.
William Poole. There should be grand fier-
works - no doubt some patriotic pyrotechnist
will give them gratis - in fact, altogether a
Roman triumph. The return of the mighty
men of muscle may be expected today
(like railway directors, they will never meet with
accidents by the way); but in order that the
Common Council may have plenty of time to
get up the demonstration, to erect triumphal
arches, arrange the banners, the mottoes, le-
gends and devices, and otherwise make a
nice affair of it, the arrival of the re-
cipients of Corporation honors might be post-
poned until tomorrow or Monday. We do hope
that the Common Council will not fail to honor
these men after its usual fashion. They have
publicly left this State to engage in a prize fight,
and have accomplished their laudable purpose.
Some persons, who are so far behind the age as
to have faith in the criminal code, say that they
ought to be sent to the penitentiary; but they
are above and beyond all codes, because they
make the people who make the codes. There-
fore, let us give them a grand reception by the
Corporation, with a banquet at not less than ten
dollars a head. They will be just in time, too,
for a couple of Aldermanic nominations. Let
them have all the reward that a grateful people
can bestow upon its representative men.
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