Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-07-13
SHALL THE FAIR GROUNDS
BECOME 4 RACE COURSEl

To the Editors Of the Union and American:
A Stakeholder in reply to my article of
the 10th, really comedies all that | affirm.
He says my caption is al cdptdrd,tDs,
but admits that the object of this move is
to make the Fair Grounds Race Course,
as allege. Our difference is this, he
approves of racing, thinks it can be di-
vested of all that is Objectionable, and
hence, that the Agricultural Society ought
to endorse it, in this form. Think ex-
actly the opposite. will not discuss the
question now, whether an amusement
that he states is older than Christi
anity and has usually had these objection
able features, can be Invested of them at
this late day, by the Blood Horse Associ-
citation. 1t will be time enough to argue
this when they have succeeded; that they
have not vet succeeded is certain, if half
that we hear about the surroundings of
the present race ground is,true. Grant
that on the day of the race, all is kept
proper, as q Stakeholder contends, does
he not know that this is net the case dur
ing the intervals, and especially on Sun
dayl Is it not true that there are
persons and things connected with
lllC bldDlIoy u oLIEluS1 VIZ ouIA 90
Objectionable in a public park, such
as we hope to make this These OBJ
| iectionable things are now out of public
view, owing to the retired location of the
Race Track; but it would be otherwise
with the Fair Grounds, if this or any
place adjacent were made training
place. We wish TO preserve them from all
| that. But aside from all these possible
consequences, at present the simple ques-
ton is, Shall the Agricultural Society en-
dorse horse racing, even in the very gen.
teel form here claimed for it2 We reply
no, for the society was not organized for
any such purpose, and we object to this
endorsement in any form. That it is
such an endorsement, will be seen on a
moments thought. Suppose this Associa-
ton asked me to rent them one of my
fields as a race track, would not my
compliance with their request be sane
ton of the race9 If so with an indi-
vidual, it is so with the society, and it is to
this VIC object as breach of covenant
with us. We protest against being COM
PEELED to sanction racing in any form
that the Blood Horse Association can
present it, and protest against our proper.
ty being used for that purpose as breach
of faith with US.
AS to the assertion that the Agriculture
Society has done what is tantamount tC
this, even if true, only shows that it ha!
gone too far already, and ought not to g
further. The thing we object to is al
official endorsement of horse-racing by
the Agricultural Society. We do not as
sail the Association, but simply ask not t
be compelled to give it our sanction.
} | am sorry that our finances are so low
, but am very sure that in the end this wi
not help them, for we will lose more tha
o this rent il we are forced into this en-
dorsement. All that ask is that t'ever
5 tub should stand on its own bottom" an
. that the Agricultural Society should nc
u be asked to go beyond It's original objec
n and lend the sanction of its influence
an Association that is able to stand alon'
IS All this may be very narrow, but the ma
row way in matters of religion is bett'
than the broad way. A MEMBER.