Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-11-28

other department should be small when
there is such manifest flvoritisn? And
wherefore is this favoritism? We have
said that the aggregate profits on horses
are comparatively small. On the whole
we make no doubt they are exceeded by
swine. which department receives only
one twentieth part the favor bestowed on
horses, and only one fourth as much as
fast trotting.
Now we would not disparage the no.
Bile horse, but we seriously ask what ben
eft to the state is fast trotting? 1t is
said TO increase the value of horses; but
for what purposes? The trotter is GER
tainly no better for ordinary purposes,
and the breed is often a lean, lank, Ian
tern shape, and the gait I" long, slaPping
one" making the fast horse about the most
valueless of any race in use except 1t be
for the turf" No man for ordinary
purposes would select a " fast horse. :
And can it be that our respectable farm
-ers, our protesting Christians, our solid
men will give money from the State trea-
sury for the purpose of raising up horses
for . Long Island Course" or gladden. the
eyes and pamper the tastes of g fast
men?" Is it right thus to minister to one
of the worst species of gambling known,
and that State and County fairs should
be prostituted to such purposes? Good
sense must say no.
But it is said that fast trotting'' is de-
manded for the purpose of calling the
people together; that without this feature
in the programme, the whole thing must
fail for want of patronage and funds. If
this be true ii argues a sad Perversion Of
taste in the people. But even then the
plea is precisely like that which makes
the @third row" necessary to theatre.
1t is wicked, but necessary to sustain the
institution, therefore adopted. We be-
heve our law makers have outlawed horse
racing, and prohibited race courses, be-
cause they fostered gambling, and that
the good sense of the community has sus-
tanned the law. If this be the true pol
icy of the State, if this be wise, why re-
vive the race course under this guise.-
Where is the consistency, to say nothing
of the Christianity of the thing? If the
reasoning be good, why not inaugurate
other enticing institutions? Why not
have something corresponding TO the
"third row''-bowling alleys, billiard
and other gambling saloons? Perhaps
these would still increase the numbers
and profits.
But this is not in point it may be urged,
because increasing the speed of the horse
enhances his value, and comes properly
, in the sphere of agriculture. But we
have already shown that the racer has nc
) extra value, except it be for +" the turf
and games which are the result of bet
: ting. If Christian men will give extra
premiums for such purposes, to be con-
sistent they should educate their sons to
, be DULLES and expert gamblers, because
that in this way and for such purposes
they would be improved!
And so on the general subject of horst
F.; raising, while all other animals and thing
) change every year, many of the same
e horses, fast and otherwise, have been a
t all our State fairs since their commence
: ment and take premiums again and again
i both for excellence and speed, provin,
e that the encouragement does but little t.
+ produce better specimens.
: Looking at the subject in any aspect
Ii we believe that this enormous favoritisn
y cannot be justified on sound moral prin
ciples. And when we say this we mea
IS no disrespect TO the horse, or horse grow
Il er. They are both noble and worthy c
i our estimation still from what we hay
l. seen at fairs and read of at races, we cor
n slider that the race course is one of tn
: most pernicious places in the land, an
n we are much inclined to think that ia:
h horses" make /" fast men," and mar ther
al too. If other men look on this subject i
$, this light we do not wonder that geners
t. interest should flag in our State an
ID County fairs, and we warn our manage,
5, to come back to the primitive idea {
Agricultural fairs, if they would do 200
r in their day and generation, or even say
l. the institution from a general wreck.
% Fire.
. The dwelling house and barns owne