176

From Chadron to Chicago.

The cowboy race from Chadron to
Chicago, over seven hundred miles, has
begun. It is possible that the humane
sentiment aroused throughout the country
by the apprehension of cruelty will
operate to prevent it. Judging from the
public remarks made on the occasion of
the starting, there is no little anxiety
on the part of the promoters of this race
to show that the element of special cruelty
is absent, and if this feeling should
have a dominating effect, the humane
societies will have carried their point
without recourse to the penalties of the
law.

The idea of a long-distance race originated
in Europe, and was revolting in
its cruelty. The horses died, or were
so nearly used up as to be at death's
door. Such racing would be as inexcusable
as the slow torture of a Chinese
execution. A race on this continent
which would show better time with no
special hardship would be an achievement
to be proud of. It would add one
more bead to America's necklace of superiority
to Europe. But, if the cowboys
lose sight of that object, and the
race degenerates into a mad scramble
for personal distinction as a hard rider,
the spectacle presented will be a continental
disgrace.

It is undoubtedly true that for adaptation
to long, hard rides the American
ponies have no equal in the equine
family of the old world. We doubt if the
rough riders of the steppe could match
them. Their horses may be larger, and

Outer Ocean

June 15/93

June 15/90

From Chadron to Chicago.

The cowboy race from Chadron to Chicago, over seven hundred miles, has begun. It is possible that the humane sentiment aroused throughout the country by the apprehension of cruelty will operate to prevent it. Judging from the public remarks made on the occasion of the starting, there is no little anxiety on the part of the promoters of this race to show that the element of special cruelty is absent, and if this feeling should have a dominating effect, the humane societies will have carried their point without recourse to the penalties of the law.

The idea of a long-distance race originated in Europe, and was revolting in its cruelty. The horses died, or were so nearly used up as to be at death's door. Such racing would be as inexcusable as the slow torture of a Chinese execution. A race on this continent which would show better time with no special hardship would be an achievement to be proud of. It would add one more bead to America's necklace of superiority to Europe. But, if the cowboys lose sight of that object, and the race degenerates into a mad scramble for personal distinction as a hard rider, the spectacle presented will be a continental disgrace.

It is undoubtedly true that for adaptation to long, hard rides the American ponies have no equal in the equine family of the old world. We doubt if the rough riders of the steppe could match them. Their horses may be larger, and

[?] [Dream?]

June 15/90