The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-06-14
GFrom the East Texas Hersld.1
THE CIRCUS

MR. ED1ToR.-A few days ago l re-
ceived courteous note from the mana
ger Of Circus aud meuager;e, contain.
ing a complimentary ticket, and invitirg
myself and wife to attend his combina-
tion. Such courtesy thought deserved
consideration, and I began to reflect
upon the propriety of accepting the
prohered kindness. But after mature
deliberation there appeared to be some
reasons which were sufficient to decide
me to decline the invitation l.; which
did by addressing a note to the said
manager. AS these reasons may be Of
some interest to your readers, re-
spectfuily submit them for publication
hoping that in your kindness you may
find place for them in your columns.
1st. 1 do not wish to take my wife to
place where she would be compelled to
witness the indecent costumes and atti-
tudes Of Circus actors and where she
would hear the profane aud obscene
witticisms of vulgar clowns. And an
exhibition which is not sufficiently
chaste for my wife to attend would not
justify my own attendance.
End. If the show consisted only in a
menaserie, and could be relied on for a
faithful exhibition of all the animals
promised, 1 would take pleasure in
patrouizing it: and would recommend
others to attend. But as the meuagerie
obviously enters into the "combipation"
merely TO en'ice the moral class to at
tend the Circus, / must decline attend-
ing, believing as do that the Circus is
a wicked institution, and only evil in
its tendencies. Even if l should attend
only the animal exhibition, l
would thereby give aid and comfort to
the Circus with which it is combined.
3rd. The taxes of our country are al
ready sufficient by heavy, and for one
am not willing to add to the public burden
by countenaucing an institution which
takes from the people much money, and
leaves in return for it no substantial
good and much evil. Every Circus
proposes to levy tax upon men, women
and children Of from one to three dollars
per head according to the number OF
exhibitions And although this tax is
paid in voluntarily it is none the less
burdeusome. The immense taxation
annually collected by circuses and other
similar shows would, if levied BY the
State, be considered yoke too CALLING
to bear,-especially If the Government
should appropriate the money in oo
bitter way than it is appropriated by
the Circus. The money drained from
the country year after year by these
shows would soon, if rightly appropria-
ted, be sufficient to build our mnch
needed railroads; or build factories; OF
build our county bridges and work our
almost impassable roads, or pain: up our
houses, and grade and ornament our
streets and sidewalks; or relieve the dis
tress of many widows aud orphans; OF
establish asylams, schools, colleges, and
churches; or put the EAST Texas HER
AID, or some other valuable newspaper
into the hands of every intelligent
citizen; or furnish every community
with public library. Think Of it
The amount Of tax collected from the
community in one year by these shows
would furnish our town with an excel
lent public library, which would be OF
incalculable benefit to the citizens for
generations to come. These are some
If the ways in which the Circus tax
myla be wisely appropriated to enhance
the value of property, aud increase the
intelligence, refinement, and heppines:
of the people. Blu. low is this immense
Circus tax appropriated? 1t goes &c
encourage idleness and vice, and to
support a class Of persons who are uoto-
riour sor their wickedness. Many oi
them it is we'll known are liars, (as
proved by the false representations oI
,heir advertiseuents;) many are thieves
as proved by the losses sustained BY
many communities through which they
have passcd;) they disturb the peace Of
our Sabba,hs by their journeys through
the country; aud many of them are no
torious as profaue swearers, adultercrs
prostitutes, gamblers, drunkards, and
rnurderers.
4.h. A little reflection is sufficient tc
convince any reasonable mind that at
tendance upon Circuses is likely to cor
rupt and prevent the intellectual taste
There is fascination about them which
lures the victim on aud on as certainly
and often as fatally, as the charming o.
the serpent.
5th. The men aud women engaged il
these shows have all talents which
might be of great service to the country
if rightly used. Instead ofbeing con
sumers, preyiug upon society, they
might add to the wealth and prosperity
of the country by their industry Al
farmers, mechanics, merchants, lawyers
aud statesmen. l would be glad to SCI
them use their talents to some noble
purpose, and do not wish to encourage
them in the abuse OF them.
9th. The worst classes ir the country
invariably attend these exhibitions
desperadoes aud drunkards. Shooting
afrays, to my OWN knowledge, are o
frequent occurrence as these pisces
Something Of the kind occurred OF ou'
of these Circuses, within the limits o
this county but few days ago. There
fore the lives Of myself and family
| unnld be andnnoared IL slinnN attend