Smyrna times., 1856-10-22


: "a" against "horse-racing g"?-and such
an." m 'nis to be. In what, inquire, does
o'Nei from 1t! Does Webster, who belle,
seneraily acknowledged to be our prese
1"gilsh standard, defines a race as. n ran
c0uise or motion, either on foot or horseback. {
'Srrlage-a running in competition for
prize. That which constitute race. tberefor,
"a rapid course or notion" whether tho
'"P'u course or motion be performed by trottin
Ut running In competition for prize. Tbes
several distinguishing characteristics. we think
'"'y oe plainly observed in the "trottinr match
e. 50 called, which were engaged in and an
y'o'eu ot oy the members of the Agriculture
rair at Dover. First, sir, we have n oroun,
prepared and arranged for, and especially deyo
'eu u thlS use. "race course" ACCORDING
~ tne ABOVE mentioned author, is ga ground
." "nlch race is run" The first prominent
feature OF horse-racing, therefore, verv dis.
''hcuVeiy appears. Secondly, we have the
RAPID course or notion" in the violent trot-
tlng-the gait has no influence in chauginp the
character of the act-many horses can move
ihuch more rapidly in trotting than others in
runnlng'-we say, then, this second character
iS'ic OF horse-racing" appears in the violent
'fottlng-and that it is violent no one who has
witnessed it can doubt-engaged in at the
aforesaid Agricultural Fair.
ana lastly, sir, which more than ever defines
anu determines the criminality of the active
nave In this, the competition for a prize -
prize is, " that which is obtained or offered os
feward OF contest; premium" And what
Is 'ne language, or, if not the language, the
spirit In which these contests are announced
= premium for the fastest trotte-." Here
men, appear the three Distinguishing charoc.
'erIstlcs of" hoTse-racing": the " race coprse ;,
'ne rapid course or notion" the prize " or
premium" Can any law-loving citizen-not
o say any christian--look these thinos in II n
ace without blush. And may not sentence
u blood-guiltiness" be written against hin,
Vhose /" hands" holds such "bribos" /" or uh
any way, before or after the act, aids or abets
such an enormity, against Law and Christi
hlty. Perhaps, sir, might be regarded dic-
atoral should | say that no magistrate .,
eace-othcer has discharged his duty until La
eeS such wlckedness at an end. But urre
mis- objection from its impractcability. +
horse-raclng for such / have shown if to
e. and as such desire it to be known--in
nywlse harmonious with, or agreeable 10 the
Pri' ana genius OF the science of Agriculture!
re they associated either in theory or practice
any respect whatever! Is there anv exist.
,g afhnIty between the two! do most sar;-
lsly protest, sir, that they are not only incom-
ltIOle with, but Numerically opposed to each
-her' know of nothing more hostile to the
arsult OF Agriculture. But it is objected that
lis is not " horse-racing," or if at all bpt in n
odlhed form. Let this be admitted-whicb 7
n oy no means prepared to do--and is not to
lis Its legitimate and inevitable tendency
ay there not be fear INDUCED in the mind of
'ery Christian citizen that such precedents
ay but prepare public opinion, if not in this
iu'ure generations, for the repeal of the ex-
ting law against " horse-racing," and with
kindred crimes. Can Christian parent look
the future destiny of his country without in. t
iiglng one emotion of trepidation when spcb
enes are being enacted around bima In a
ew' therefore, of such an event-the repe,I :
the present law against horse racine. % /
w gloomy and threatening does the agricul. h
raj aspect of our country become How 8
retully, therefore, should we avoid those 7
Ings, the tendencies of which are to lead to a
direful result Direful indeed, il must be n
teemed to be. Who that truly desires the d
rlcultural prosperity of our country can CON- t
mplate moment without a shudder. Farms d
cated-dllapidated dwellings--fruitful fields 1
ID waste-the implements of Agriculture t
gless, broken and deserted. The plow rust- |,
IN ITS fuErow-the Plowman and his team il
andonIng their toll have sought the more en-. o
lgaging novelty of the race. The apricnItu. b
interests are in confusion. and the stunted e
op langulshlng for proper culture. Such is "
e certain result of lessons SO pernicious ss il
g example presented to the rising generation d
the Fair ct Dover must incuicate.
But it will be urged, that by this means the ii
aracter of the borses- will be improyed.- c
hs,'we reply, has ever been the apology for u
iorse-racing." We admit that such things c
We a strong tendency to introduce horses g Of o
gh blood and great aeetness among us. Bui v
e such the character Of the horses demanded g
. the agricultnrsts of our comfy 2 Is such p
g character of the horses suited to The pecu-
rities Of our climate aud locality. Such
rises are usually, if not invariably, Of short 4
ir. thin skin. and irritable and impatient in il
err dispositions. And we need not be remind. te
that such are lily adapted to the Mes and b,
'sqaitoes, with which our locality is infested d
either is this the character Of the horses al
lich Is most adapted to the cultivation Of OF
my parts Of our soil, which is remarkably d,
I'd and stiff in it's consistency, being Of white ia
d yellow clay For the cultivation of such ts