Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-02-10
For the Marshall County Democrat.
Political Economists

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Political Economists
In all ages, and almost all countries
have conceded the fact tina! in every COM
munity. places of popular resort for recre-
alton and amusement, are necessary.
This doctrine meets with a practical re-
Spouse in the minds Of nearly all persons,
though theoretically many discard it. 1t
was we'll said by Topper, that, "to blend
instruction with amusement, is the wise
mans necessary aim, when he lieth in the
shade of recreation" and to this sent-
ment few perhaps will object.
The principle is admitted. but ir its APP
plication men, good men, have hitherto,
and do still differ One sees in the gid
dy mazes of the Dance both recreation
and instruction. while another sees moth
ing in the exercise but folly, unmiligated
by any redeeming trait. or circumstance.
Numerous sermons have been written and
preached, and not few have been the lee
lures both public and private, upon the
evils of dane ing; yet after all. the young.
the gay, and light hearted still continue,
and probably will in all time to come. to
give expression to their exuberance of feel
ing, by joining in the dance. If this be
wrong, it is not because dancing is so in
itself; this the intelligent all admit. But
say some, its attendant circumstances are
of such character that it is impossible to
control them. Should this be granted, it
would not necessarily follow that this kind
of amusement, or recreation ought to be
discarded--it only shows that parents and
guardians should take the matter into their
own hands, and under their own supervis-
ion. Make dancing parties at home; let
the middle aged, as we'll as the young, par
ticirate; keep seasonable hours. and give
tone and direction to the social enjoyments
attendant upon these parties, and above all,
teach those who thus engage, that they
are betraying no trust. bringing no dis
honor upon themselves, their families or
their church, and the erils Of dancing will
soon be numbered amongst the things that
were. and are not.
Another finds great pleasure in playing
billiards, or ten pins, while almost all So
Der, high minded, respectable men, regard
these as curses, scarcely inferior to the
vice Of tipping, or even drunkenness it
self, because wher ever the billiard saloon,
and the ten pin alley. have local habita-
ton. there are invariably to be seen the
idle. the thrittless and the dissolute-and
it is probably impossible in the present
state Of society to have il otherwise. In a
public billiard saloon. with the classes a.
bove named, as frequcnters and patrons,
land few others are ever seen there) in :
toxicating drinks are almost, if not quite,
necessarily concomitant; at all events. a
/ billiard saloon without them would be a
rara avis. worthy the profound attention
of a Barnum.
But it may be said. why not take these
also under moral influence and control by
having them at private rooms prepared on
purpose by gentlemen at their residences. -
Agreed. say !. if you can find the person
who is willing. and can afford to make the
necessary investment until then, | must
beg leave to respectfully dissent.
There are many other places of resort
that might be termed popular. both here
and elsewhere, of which it is not nccessa-
ry now to speak. except that any place of
this kind into which man Of good NOR
ais would blush to introduce a wife, sister,
or mother; any place visit to which
would tend to lessen a mans own self-re-
spect, or of which he doubts the propriety
ofentering. should be avoided. as the pru-
dent would shun the pestlence.
But says one. what would you have us
do? and where shall we 60 for recreation?
You admit the necessity for public places
Of resort for purposes Of amusement
Certainly, what then: answer first of all,
let us have neat, commodious Town
Hall; then will come lectures, concerts.
social parties, &c, DC. and Tupper's great
ideal would be realized, when instruction
would indeed be blended with amusement
and where all might participate without
feeling that they had performed an act Of
doubtful utility or morality. When shall