Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-05-25
For the Tribune.
Dancing Correspondence.

MEssHs. EDIroRs: If your patience is not
quite exhausted will make few remarks in
reply to L. Us last, which find in your paper
of April goth.
In the first place, by way of apology for so
long delay, l would state that at the time of re-
celvlng the article in question was very busy,
and also afflicted with weak and sore eyes The
paper was laid aside, and did not it, to read
the article until this morning
L. J.s candor and the aspect of the whole con-
troversy, now induces me TO feel assured that this
Is unlike many and perhaps most dispulations
which are carried on in an unriendly manner,
and grow wider and wider apart. Ours appears
to be app.oximating to one point.
There is, however, still some little difference of
opinion between US. 1t not a difference of opin-
ion, we have different ways of expressing it. L.
J. cannot see any difference between happiness
and pleasure. | think in some cases there is a
difference. To illustrate this point, | will state
fact, as related TO me by the person himself: A
who lived and died in Beloit told me that
from child nothing ever afforded him so much
pleasure the torture and consequent suffering of
animals. He said he actually when little boy,
roasted cat alive, hanging her up before fire.
for his own amusement. He said it afforded him
great pleasure to see her writhe in her pain and
agony. He said nothing ever prevented him from
being highway robber, but his want of courage
to beeve-that child who had not been har-
dened by crime could be so depraved But
state the circumstances related TO me by the
person himself who declared most solemnly, but
short time before his death that it was strictly
true. That, to him, was pleasure, but can it be
called happiness! We may have perverted tastes
aPpetites, and propensities, which should be con-
trolled by reason.
You think | have mistaken and misrepresented
your statements, or the meaning of the following
quotation from your first article:
1t may well be questioned whether a Young
person OF lively, active temperament and cheer
full social disposition, can invest two dollars in
any manner that viii produce more real enjoy
ment, than by paying ball bill"
| cannot see that have done you any injustice
in my remarks on that paragraph. l certainly
did not intend to. Friend, understand some
thing of the of adectives, but l do not under
stand that you have used enough of them TO prove
the fact that any young man. however active and
cheerful his disposition may be, makes the best
kind of an investment either of time or money,
by paying a ball bill. The question with me
would be. not whether it conferred more pleasure
for the time being, but is it really more useful to
himself or others.
If you parent, you know that children
often desire things that would not benefit. but
,rouiI i,,1u ~ 7
experience has taught you the same thing. The
child might take pleasure in the participation or
reception of the desired object and still be per
manently injured by it. You say:
Hundreds of young spend the larger
part OF their earnings, and seriously injure their
health, by allowing their passion for dancing to
become ruling motive, whereas It's only proper
use Is as an occasional recreation
We do not differ in opinion on this point Nor
that the Incorporate use OF abuse of any good
object either in philanthropy or religion, may be
so abused as to be injurious. We know that is
too often true. But is dancing act of benevo-
lence, philanthropy religion Or is it ever
productive Of any great good? II not, then why
not discountenance il we would card playing,
which leads TO gambling, and drinking, which
leads TO drunkenness with all its attendant evils
Is not the natural effect of dancing to dissipate
the mind, and make him OF her (" a lover OF pleas
ure more than lover of God O.
We VIII now, as you suggest, examine scrip
ture dancing. for | do wish to treat the subject
fairly.
did not say that it was the dancing of Hero
dlas daughter that caused the death of John the
Baptist but the &C, of dissipation, in which