Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-02
PARK FOR NASHVILLE.

APARK FOR NASHVILLE.
The Question from "a Moral Point of
Vfew-PrOpOsition 10 Convert the
Public square Into a Public Garden.
The following communication puts the
park question before the people in a some
what different shape than that in which it
has heretofore reached them. The writer
puts in some logic that nothing short of
dollars-and. cents argument could upset
To the Editors Of the Union and Dispatch.
suppose the good people Of Nashville
have by this time arrived at the point
from which they may regard a park As an
illusion, like one who, in his wanderings
over the plains, Is often deceived by the
appearance Of water, and learns in time to
regard it az an optical illusion. But in
time, both the moral and physical wants
demand the reality. The moral wants of
Nashville demand park. 1t is weary Of
the full body and starved soul. 1t is as
much the aim and object Of civil institn-
tions TO promote the moral as the physical
welfare; and there are some people, who
perhaps may not be considered as orthodox
by the great majority, who consider the
former as the chief aim and object Of all
institutions, and due regard should be
had for their opinions. ! consider Il the
first duty Of a sovereignty to educate the
people over whom it rules. l believe
something Is said on this subject IN the
Constitution Of this State. And | think
the term educate should be understood IA
its broadest sense, and comprehend every
means that tends TO refne, elevate and en-
noble the character We know that the
accomplishment of this aim can be pro-
NOTED by the use of other agencies 10 con
junction with books, and We should gladly
avail ourselves of them. Parks, ! classify
with landseape-gar which is one Of
the most beautiful of fac arts; and no per
son will for moment question the happy
effect that the fine arts have IN elevatlng
aad enrolling our nature.
All of the great poets, painters, sculptors,
musicians, etc, are entitled to the eternal
gratitude Of the human race for the mag
nifcent subjects which they have presented
for our contemplation, which lead rs into
the highest regions OF mental and moral
enjoyment; and Eat the came time disgust
us with low sensualism. Ia the contempla-
ton of high and noble subjects, our grOsser
nature loses its power, and forgetting that
we are of the earth, earthly, we float through
the higher world of pure and perfect moral
ity; and in proportion "a we enter this re-
zion we become higher and nobler beings.
And il is in this way that the hne arts have
happy effect upon the spirits OF those who
contemplate them. And il Is. thus that we
are advised of the power that they exercise
for good over our beings and knowing aud
feeling this, every government should make
use of such agencies, If possible to elevate
It's members. And as consider that parks
have a good effect upon those to whom
they are accessible, | am an advocate fer
one in the city of Nashville.
But the question might arise, Upon whom
rests the responsibility of educating the
people-the corporation or State gov
eminent? A government should have
at its political center all OF the agen-
cies necessary to develop the nOblest
traits of humanity, and by this means
send out its genial Influences to every part
of the domain. / might say az the taste
and cultivation of the capital, so are
| those Of the State; and / am sustained in this
proposition by the results in European
countries The great centers determined
the status of the adjacent country on all
| questions of esthetics.
So ifthere were located in Nashville OF
| iects of the fine arts, the contemplation
Of which would have a tendency to elevate
| the character, their influence would be
visible throughout the State; and il Is the
permanent duty Of the State to have her
| capital 30 embellished with the fine arts
that the condition Of all the people would
| be elevated thereby France appreciated
i the use of such agencies better than any
other government it is, perhaps, owing as
! much TO their iudicious use that dlstur-
| Dances are prevented in that country, as
ANYTHING else. No ruler in the present age
| has added 80 much to the establishment OF
| his capital as the Emperor of the French,
| the Interior design Of which has been to ele.
| vate and make more tractable the French
| people AZ it is a duty the governments OF
! the old world feel they owe their people, the
! responsibility should certainly be recog-
! Missed on this continent, where the people
| propose to be the government. If the
| State should be dereliCt in duty, then
| Nashville should hold it as a sacred obliga-
! ton owing to her citizens, and cancel II by
establishing a handsome park. As she has
grown to be quite city, she can az well
afford to have this, as wealthy citizens
! their palatial residences, with their Orna
mental grounds, statuary and painting
The most eligible position would be thu
Square, with the buildings on the east sid,
removed, 50 that il could extend to thu
waters edge and have the bluff terraced
Perhaps this would be too expensive, but i
Is 10y far the most eligible plan for park
A WARNING To DoG-KILLERs. - Ii
Justic Mathews Court yesterday, Mis-
Van Code, a young woman who ha'
poisoned a valuable watch dog belonging
Geo. Dismukes, was fined s., and judg
ment of $40 awarded complainant 70
damages