Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-12-05
Contributors Department,

Our correspondence on the question
raised by Betsy Jane" regarding the
propriety of public balls, promises to
become quite as vofuminous as tho re-
ports of some of the committees of in
vestigation appointed by Congress, and
we doubt not will he equally as inter-
esting. We propose, hereafter, to de-
vote limited space in our paper to
those who may he DESTROYS of entering
the arena of literature. Who knows
but we may have an Irving or Willis
in our midst, thriving on the bivalves
of Puget Sound? Or a Mrs. Hemans
or a Fanny Fern, blooming to blush
unseen in this wilderness? We will
from time to time set apart portion
OF our paper, to be styled the econ
tributors Department." and thus
afford an opportunity for the devcl-
opmcnt of what literary talent our
our community may possess. We must
hint, however, that contributions, to be
acceptable must be brief as we do not
publish very large sheet. We find
space this week for three letters called
forth by Betsy Jane and ''Sophia."
which may be properly classcd as ear
nest, expressive and satirical. The
first is written by lady, and is =
A WORD OF ExccvnAoEMENT TO BETSY JANE.
EDITOR STANDARD AS the subject Of
dancing is being distressed in your columns,
will you allow me to throw in my mite AS
| have never before written for tho public
eye, hope all imperfections will be over
looked, and only tho cause we advocate at
tract attention.
When I read "Bctsy James" articles, l
sad, am glad an advocate for good mo-
rails in society has arisen in our midst, and
that advocate, one of my own Sex. 1t is
time that woman should stand forth and do
battle against wrong. Too long has she sat
supinely down and allowed man to do her
thinking for her. and whatever subject it has
been necessary to discuss before tho public.
che has been content to b. a " silent listener"
and like dutiful wife" ask her husband at
home. But that time has now gone by, and
woman is becoming aroused to just appre-
citation Of her capabilities, and Of the inAu.
encs she is destined to exert as member of
society. She begins to feel that she, too,
equally with man, has an interest in endeav.
oring TO eradicate from society the evils with
which it is cursed, and do not know that
Betsy Jane could have chosen better
point Of attack. l hope her sharp-shooting
will continue until dancing at least is purified
Of its attendant evils most cordially agree
with her, that dancing, as at present conduct
ed, is an evil Of which society would be well
to b. rid. When she says: "the price Of
a ticket will admit the libertine, as we'll as
the man of honor" we know it to be tho
truth. When she speaks of young and in.
nocent girlhood being brought into contact
with old and experienced seducers, she is cor
rect. Many mother who would refuse to
admit into her society. or the society Of her
daughters. men Of that character, will never
theless permit them to frequent the ballroom
and come in contact with them there. and if
the saying is as true now as when first epo-
ken, which everyone will admit, that "evil
communications corrupt good manners" then
l cannot see why innocence, coming into COM
munication with evil in a ballroom, will not
be as surely contaminated as it would b. in
the bosom Of the family. Neither do ! see
that I" Liberals" proposition Of providing a
suitable escort, will obviate the difficulty, as
he, however watchful, connot prevent her
being addressed by those Of whom we COM
plain. Then on the other hand, as we are
cautious of the company in which our girls
mingle, so should we be of that in which
sons associate, and as dancing parties are 90
conducted that the price Of ticket will I'D.
init the gambler, the drunkard, the libertine,
and az W. do not permit our sons to frequent
the places of public resort of that class, mel.
Their as we value their moral training, should
we allow them to associate with them in the
ballroom, for contend that it is az much the
duty Of parents to look to the moral training
Of their sons as Of their daughters, that they
may grow up pure minded and be fit associ-
ates for our daughters. Bnt perhaps have
said enough this time. The theme is mex
haustible, and I hope Betsy Jane" will
not get discouraged, but keep the subject be-
fore the people until moral purity shall char
acterize society, and young people can have
their pastimes and recreations, without COM
ing in contact with that which will corrupt.
/ see BY the last weeks STANDARD, that
i" Sophia" offers as substitute for dancing,
something Of theatrical style Of amusement.
such as acting charades, &c. for one. should
object to remedying one evil by substituting
another in it's place, and If should be per-
mitted to make a suggestion, 1t would be this,
that instead Of dancing. theatricals, &c..
something combining the intellectual with the
social be Instituted, such as singing societies.
concerts, lyceums. in which both sexes shall
take an active part, for have better opin-