The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-04-06

sa'r Taxas paper. The writer of the ar
. the Rev. S. f. Tenny, Crockett,
Tsss: e. H..
M courteous note from the mana
oaseee Circus and menagerie, containing
ga" nI;mentary ticket, and inviting my
se onrd rife TO attend his combination.
Ell an oonrtesy l thought deserved consid-
sacn and began to reflect upon the
srallOL a,v Of accepting the proffered kind
ProPI' bit after mature elaboration there
LESS. 10 be some reasons which were
sPgs..1+ 10 decide me to decline the in
sa n:ls1 which / did by addressing
S. .a ~ the said manager As these rea-
Dos nav be of some interest to your
soni - | respectfully submit them for
rsI si;cstion. hoping that in your kind
PugN vou NAV find a place for them in
!O1i I do not wish to take my wife to
,rbere she would be compelled to
PEE the indecent costumes and atti-
of Circus actors and where she
III. Ia hear the profane and obscene wit
s W.. Of vulgar clowns. And an exhi-
~ u.;o-, which is not sufficiently chaste for
Wv rife to attend would not justify my
IN attendance.
% "a If the show consisted only in a
.nogerie. and could be relied on for a
s+5f1l exhibition of all the animals pro-
ID. | would take pleasure in patroniz-
- Il and would recommend others to
-Tsnd. But as the menagrie obviously
'.,srs into the combination" merely to
. Lire the moral class to attend the Cir
* e- must decline attending, believing
lido that the Circus is wicked insti-
ION and only evil in its tendencies.
Fen For. If should attend only the animal
-.bibition, would thereby give aid and
Mort to the Circus with which it is
combined.
3d. The taxes of our country are al
adv sufficiently heavy, and l for one
M not willing to add to the public bur-
In BY countenancing an institution |
~5icb takes from the people much money,
md leaves in return for it no substantial |
nod and much evil. Every Circus pro-
so.es to levy a tax upon men, women |
I'D children of from one to three dollars |
r4r head, according to the number of |
i,bibitions. And although this tax is
,,d in voluntarily it is none the less
Trdensome. The immense taxation an
,gally collected by circuses and other |
5milar shows would, if levied by the State,
\ considered yoke too CALLING to bear,
specially if the Government should
,Dpropriate the money in no better way
ban it is appropriated by the Circus.
The money drained from the coun-
nv year after year by these
tows would soon, if rightly ap-
rOpriated, be suficient to build our much
iseded railroads or build factories or
5ald our county bridges and work our
almost impossible roads; or paint up our
nuses, and grade and ornament our
neets and sidewalks; or relieve the
distress of many widows and orphans; or
atablish asylums, schools, colleges, and
durches or put valuable newspapers into
the hands of every intelligent citizen
o. furnish every community with a pub
&c library. Think of it The amount
ftax collected from the community in
me year by these shows would furnish
ur town with an excellent public library,
mich would be of incalculable benefit to
be citizens for generations to come.
hese are some of the ways in which the
Circus tax might be wisely appropriated,
senhance the value of property. and
arease heintelligence, refinement, and
nppiness of the people. But how is
IBIS immense Circus tax appropriated ?
hgoes to encourage idleness and vice,
md to support class of persons who are
notorious for their wickedness. Many
dthem it is well known are liars, Gas
proved by the false representations of
their advertisements J many are thieves,
as proved by the losses sustained by
many communities through which they
lave passed J they disturb the peace of
our Sabbaths by their journeys through
he country; and many of them are no
anous as profane swearers, adulterers,
Institutes, gamblers, drunkards, and
-urderers.
4th. A little reflection is sufficient to
nnvince any reasonable mind that atten-
Ance upon Circuses is likely to corrupt
nd pervert the intellectual taste. There
ASSASSINATION about them which lures
he victim on and on, as certainly, and |
ten as fatally, as the charming of the
Epent.
9TH. The men and women engaged in
sese shows have all talents which might
Of great service to the country, if
ghhy used. Instead of being consum-
Is, preying upon society, they might add
the wealth and prosperity of the coun-
~ by their industry as farmers, mechan-
= merchants, lawyers and statesmen.
Eould be glad to see them use their
2ents to some noble purpose, and do not
ssh to encourage them in the abuse of
hem.
9th. The worst classes in the country
aVariably attend these exhibitions-des-
sradOes and drunkards. Shooting af-
nYs, to my own knowledge, are of fire. {
9aent occurrence at these places. Some 1
ing oil the kind occurred at one of these
lfruses, within the limits of this county,
NJ few days ago. Therefore the lives /
s,nyself and family would be endanger
AT | should attend, and am not JUST
2ale In taking this risk unless great
S1d Is to be gained, or some duty calls. !
IN. These Institutions are perhaps
y profitable to their owners. But
shat shall it profit man if he shall !
IN the whole world and lose his own {
~ Believing from the light of the
%ole' that these men, if they perservere
this line of business, will inevitably !
destroyed, soul and body, in hell, / g
1anot conscientiously encourage them to
~annue these occupations by giving them !
y Patronage.
9Th. To furnish ministers of the Gospel S
nh free tickets to these shows may at G
ut sight appear to be generous kindness
"a respect to religion. But careful
lection convinces me that these tickets
9 IN fact brides, intended to buy the
-auence Of the leaders of public morals,
mere selfish tricks devised to gather
~5 y; money for the use of the Circus.
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