The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-06-07
Dancing.


titled to respect, asks our views of the
"propriety and morality of dancing."--
We don't presume that either material
good or harm can result from statement
of our opinions on this hackneyed subject;
but such as they are, all are welcome to
them.
We don't danco-never did dance
and most likely never shall dance. We
have witnessed it in all its various forms,
from the unaffected style prevalent at the
old time "huskings," cuttings" and
"boilings," to the dazzling ballroom, but
have never even felt tempted to partici-
pate in its apparent enjoyments. Per-
haps our native awkwardness, and scarce
ly middling grace at best, has had some
thing to do with our failure to cultivate
our heels; but aside from all that, we have
never considered it either prudent or de-
sirable amusement, and observation has
fully confirmed that opinion.
! We arc not willing to say that Chris
tian dare not dance, or that dancing is
utterly Incompatible with religion; but
We do say, that it would be best if they
did not We believe that some conscien.
tious Christians do dance, and it is not
for US to Judge them and declare their
guilt, They may do with conscience
void of offence what others could not; and
while it is not a positive crime, as prac-
tised in some circles, an honest difference
of opinion as to its propriety should be
recognized and justified. Bearing direct
ly on the point, however, is this significant
fact-that it is not usually those who are
most eminent for their piety that are con-
spieuous in favoring and practising this
amusement; while others who are just suf-
fciently religious to dispute its vigor at
every point, are those who most readily
reconcile it with the Christian character
That its general associations, It's invaria-
bic tendencies, and uniform results, are
at variance with not only religious pro-
gress, but with religion itself, must be the
conviction Of every candid mind-heDce
We say, it were better that Christians
should not dance. In the family circle,
with all Its happy restraints and surroun
dings, unless positively abused, it is, in
itself, entirely harmless but the popular
influence of religious appreciation cannot
be circumscribed to any particular form
or circle, and it tells as sensibly in favor
of the ballroom with its midnight and
morning revels, as of the fire sides merry
hour. Such are our convictions touching
its morality, and We only say to others
Let every man be fully persuaded in his
own mind"
The social influence of dancing is
beyond calculation. In no other capaci-
ty can merit sink to a common equality
with the vicious and vain by so little ef-
fort, as in the public dance; and we need
not tell any discerning reader, that when
those characteristics are harmonized, it is
always at the cost of virtue. Vice ever
triumphs by constant contact, and though
those who are thus made to share its as
sociations do not partake Of its positive
deformities, yet they learn to forget its
dangers and pardon its existence. Thus
the public bathrooms at our places Of re-
sort, makes all oblivious of character by
the mere formality of gcnteel bow and a
modest courtesy. Young ladies may in
quire the antecedents of their chamber
maids, but they must not be SO fastidious
as to refuse the hand of the common black
leg when the cotilion is called. 1t seems
impossible to divest the amusement Of dan
cling of these evils, and while they cling
to it, it must not be denied that they pour
into the heart of society fountain of a
most dangerous character
1t is said that dancing is capital exer-
else for young ladies. We grant it
Since healthful exercise is ignored by the
same despotic decree Of fashion that makes
dancing a necessary accomplishment,
young ladies perhaps must either dance
or die; and of the two propositions, the
former is quite the most desirable. Ifthey
can't make themselves useful as daughters,
wives and mothers, by actively filling the
sphere Nature designed them for, let them
dance When they must drop the rope
and cannot familiarize themselves with
the broom and the dust pan, dancing is
doubtless among the best employments
they can engage in; and if they would on
ly dance regularly-say at sunrise each
morning and again about the time of the
usual afternoon nap, we might reduce the
number of our physicians without serious
injury to the public. 1t seems to US as an
amusement especially fitted for female ex-
ercise, and, whether it is their only exer-
else or not, it cannot fail to do them good;
but when we see an accidental circle OF
ladies in the dance, we witness none of the
abuses to which our regular dances inya-
rjably lead. Ladies don't take pains to
expose themselves to chills and colds by
their style and dress for morning romp
or polka with their own sex, nor do they
PROSTATE themselves by running into un-
reasonable hours. But when it comes to
a fashionable polka with gentlemen, we
must be excused for saying that ladies
might be better employed. 1t never was
the invention of health social circle, and
no endorsement whatever may be the
claims to refinement and respectablllty
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