American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-05-03
COMMUNICATTONs.
SCHOOL EXHIBITION.

SCHOOL EAHlBTflUN.
Ma. EDIroR = Permit me, through
the columns of your very excellent pa
per, to dropa fow remarks to the citizens
of Butler CO., concerning School ex.
hibition held in Winfield tp., School
House No. 2, on the evening of the 2eth
inst.
We cannot intrude upon your space,
by making the comments on exhibitions,
in general that we should like to. We
frequently see notices of school terms
closing with public performance; and
they are spoken of almost invariably with
the greatest commentator. The writer
has attended many exhibitions, and has
found all Of them more or less interest
inc. But in every case, there has been
the same, spirit Of igaorohce at work.
tending to make them disgusting, and to
bring them into disrepute-I mean the
grossly bad conduct of many of those at
tending such meetings. Reader, dou't
begin to think that the writer is opposed
to such exercises | am not. [ am ever
ready and willing to add my write Of in
fuence to any thing that may encourage
education; but | am always in favor Of
giving the bitter with tie sweet.
We are not Disposed to publish the
GOOD and keep back the bad, thus screen
ing the evil doers in society. 1t seems
to be the impression with many that Ex-
hibitions, Night Spellings, and Singing
| Schools, are just the right places for ttm
They 90 to those meetings with no inten-
tion Of showing that they have any re-
spect fer themselves or any body else.
But we promised to tell you Of the
evening of the 2Sth in particular. We
were on the ground at an early hour, but
late. enough to find that "cyery body and
most Of their friends were there before
us" The house was decorated in such IA
way as none but ladies could have done
it, Among the ornaments, the flag of our
country, was not forgotten. Ere long the
curtain was raised, and the exercises for
the egening commenced | must say that
the pieces were well selected, well com.
mitted, and mostly well spoken for new
I
beginners The diuiogues we're many of
them new and interesting; and the es-
says" read by the young ladies' we're not
only good, but eeceuent. They bore the
marks of talent and good sense. In ad-
dition to this budget was the Leasmres-
caie Gazette, edited by the very worthy
teacher, Miss Maggie Lawell.
This was of itself literary treat. |
should like to see it III print, and thus
have the people judge of its merits. VIII
not Maggie send, at least, a few of the
best articles lp it to the CITIZEN for pub
lication? We must not forget to tell you
chat there was also plenty OF good music
on hand. The three Mr.. Loves with two
violins aud flute, Messrs Kiskadden
and Beatty both violinists. and Mr. Rails
ton with bass viol constituted the band.
Considering the character of the per-
formances, and the preparations made, it
might have been rich literary feast.
The teacher had evidently done every
thing necessary to make the exercises
both interesting and instructive. Reader,
do you ask why it was not interesting p
| will tell you. AS | have already inti-
mated, and as is usual on such occasions,
the house was crowded to oyerfuwing,
and the evening was warm, causing, OF
course, much discomfort. But there was
worse element than heat to contend
with. l don't like to call it ig1,ora ace !;
If it SQUAD better, we will call it "bad
manners" During the whole evening,
the confusion caused by talking and laugh
| ing were unen urabe All efforts made
to secure quiet were treated, not with 81
lent, but with noisy contempt. Wonder
full to say it was not confined to the
young men. Many Of those wearing the
dress of ladies', mingled their Voices with
the diseordant song. Many Of those who
acted thus wodld be offended, were they to
be called anything but Iadies and gentle
men Will ladies and gentlemen aet-so at
School exhibition ? Is it a proper place
for such C nduet2 Many, 10 douet, were
there with honest intentions. Aany be-