Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-03

The TURr.-lt has been the habit in this
part Of the country for many years, in fact
for many generations, 10 regard the race
course as anything but Il school Of virtue.
Others more free in their habits and princi-
pies have thought us too precise and strait
laced, but the people Of this State have been
satisfied Ct the correctness Of their cOnclu-
sons, and have carried them out, and there
is no reason to be ashamed of the result. We
may not have done 50 much as some Others
for the development of certain qualities in
that noble animal, the horse, but we have
done far more for the elevation and improve
ment of that noble creature, man. The
speed and endurance of the former we have
estimated but lightly in comparison with the
rectitude, virtue, and humanity OF the latter,
and has not the result shown that our iudg-
ment was correct? OF course. we do not
mean to say that there has never been time
when there was not such thing as race
course in the Commonwealth, or when races
were not a favorite amusement with a cer-
tain class. We mean simply that they have
never stood well with the community-that
they have been looked at askance by society
in general, and that to frequent them has
been regarded as far from favorable sign.
1t may, however, be asked with some
reason, whether there are not indications
that all this is at an end, and that the turf
| is destined before long to take its place
among our popular amusements, countenan-
ced and frequented by those who hitherto
have regarded it with adherence. 1t is
fast becoming a regular part of the proceed
ings at agricultural exhibitions to have a
trial of speed which few years ago was
known by the less dignifed terms of ''horse
race" This trial of speed is, for the most
part, guided by the same rules as a regular
race; the horses run for premium instead
of purse or a cup, it is managed by coun-
ty agricultural society instead of jockey
club, and is reported in the weekly agricul-
tural and religious newspapers instead of the
sporting journals, and what other difference
is there? The answer-and as yet it is true
one-is that the attendant circumstances of
a race, the gambling, quarrelling and drunk
enness, are wanting. But unless our course
for years back has been radically wrong all
this will follow. We have gone upon the
theory that racing is an amusement which
tends to collect those who will gamble, fight
and drink, and this is as true now as ever,
and it requires no spirit of prophecy to tell
us, that in few years our country meetings
will prove it to be true, if the practice to
which we allude is kept up.
This is not all, however. We have now
one or two regular organized societies for the
encouragement of a good breed of horses
This is an important and useful purpose, anC
the success of these societies is as desirable al
that of the smaller county associations, which
encourage the breed of neat cattle. But i
is to be feared that at the great exhibitions
of these societies, the race is beginning tC
occupy far too prominent place, and t
constitute for many the chief attraction o
the whole. 1t is entirely natural for thu
managers of an enterprise like one of thes
shows, ,'desirous of presenting as attractive
} programme as possible, to avail themselves o
the interest which never fails to attend sucl
an exciting scene as a race, but it is to b
J noticed however innocent this may seem t
be for temporary purpose, it is leading t.
! the very results which we have for so man.
years deprecated,
| Finally we have the race proper, wher
} there is no disguise, but vice appears openl.
, and in its true colors, where money change
hands more rapidly than could be ehecte
. by any honest employment, and, in short
} where we may see all that which we hay
Q hitherto deprecated 1t is easy TO see re
: gular progress now going on, clearing tn
y way from the innocent country agriculture
, meetings to the race, and by its reactio
: bringing the evils of the latter back upo
: the former. Is this satisfaction 10 IN