Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-10-16
Country Fair Ethics Consideret"
from n Oh, istIan Stand-potnt.

These annual gatherings, from neld ana
factory, from shops of toll and schools
of art. to exhibit the products OF the
farm and mandatory; the progress OF
invention and the Improvements OF I'M
elements of husbandry to encourage
Industry and effort to elevate and en-.
large the sphere of labor by the ana or
science in lessening the severity OF ton
Inv Increasing the skill and profits Of the
farmer. the mechanic and the manu-
facturcr. have already accomplished
great rood. II is well to pay premium
ON the best fruits of the fields, the best
herds from the stall, and the best tiocks
from the fold; to pay for investments
of time and money in successful ex-
neriments, resulting in public benefits
All this is well, if wisely done. This
comparing of crops and cattle and colts
and sheep and farm utensils and seeking
the best means and methods for pro-
ducing the most profitable rewards of
industry and skill is to be highly COM
mended even from a Christian stand
point.
But there are usually some great evils
that might be avoided and that ought
not to be allowed within the precincts
Of the fair grounds, that are, neverthe
less, nearly always admitted to the fairs.
The plea that the rent or license pays a
good price is a poor excuse for per-
hitting so many public nuisances to
flaunt their flaring and fragrant indecen-
cies openly in the faces of decent peo-
pie. For instance, at the recent State
fair, among many other noto-
rious nusances, there was "dance
hall, whose proprietor was protected
by paid license for the liberty of pub
lie prostitutes and base paramours to in
suit the moral sense and virtuous senti-
ment of the better people who in pass
ing to and from the proper exhibition
could scarcely avoid the scandalous
sights and sounds that commingled in
scenes of confusion and shame in this
demoralizing and most disgraceful re-
sort for fallen women and dissolute
men. And yet at almost all hours of
the day, and well nigh through the night
this "dance half furnished these aban-
doned wretches the place and power to
insult decency, seduce the unsuspecting,
and corrupt the youthful conscience in
this high carnival of dancing and drink
ing, authorized by the magnates of the
State Agricultural Society.
Doubtless not few decent people
patronized this Water street Glance
hallp not knowing what they did, nor
what the real character of the concern
was, nor who were the prostitutes and
paramours they had as partners in these
most pernicious dances. 1t was an open,
even though unintentional, insult to the
intelligence and virtue of the farmers
and their families, and deep and damn
ing disgrace to the Society that allowed
I'D rIo
Better beg or die as a Society than live
and get gain by selling license to those
'whose house is the way of hell going
down to the chambers of death"
We do not claim that all county fairs
have had or will ever allow such scan
/. dalous shame to find protection under
. public patronage, but if the State Society
i supposed to be composed of the cream
i OF the county fairs, has fallen so low, or
become so lax as to allow these things
under its patronage, is it not time the
people were warned of this disgrace and
danger, and that the press raised pro-
Z test against such t1grant wrong. To
be obliged TO listen to the rawlings and
ranting of licensed cheats selling shams
I. to silly school boys; to be driven deaf
and mad by the bawling peach peddlers
(. and peanut vendors is bad enough. This
+ dance hall licensed to parade its painted
\ pimps braZen wantons on most prom
( inent place at State agricultural fair is
4 paying too high premium on prostitu-
v ton and depravity. Pray, gentlemrn of
the State Society, desist Please do not
Z insult the public by granting such pro-
!. lection again. 1t don't pay. The price
4 is too dear.
(. Another great and growing evil Is the
Y pool-selling and gambling in connection
Y with horse-racing. The society may not
|. be to blame for the pool-selling perhaps
+ they cannot prevent it, but the fact that
Il the races on the course are made more
II prominent, and that the society pays
\ the largest premiums to the fastest
y horses, is an encouragement for the
Il fastest men to sell pools and sin in pro-
N faneness and gambling through the ex-
ample and excitement of the horse trot.
X This making the horse race so prominent
by paying SO high premiums and making
N so much ado over ii is tending to crowd
into the background and out of sight
some of the greatest interests and most
II important improvements i'll agriculture
and art. Fine sheep, fine cattle and
v fine crops are becoming of little conse-
"A quence compared with fast horses which
are comparatively of little value for the
Y farm or the road. This turning the tide
in favor of fast horses is fast driving the
genuine farmer from the field of compe-
Y tition, and is filling the stables and the
race-course with the young men of the
3 age, many of whom are spending much
4 money and time in training some bow
x legged, sloped rump, giraffe of q colt to
4 trot at a race at a2-40 gait, and in hopes
X of getting premium for speed and their
q living by gambling, than is for the good
of society, either as to its wealth or its
Virtue.
Gentleness, intelligence, endurance,
draft and style are comparatively swal-
~ flowed up in speed round the race course,
when for farming, teaming or travel the
animal is well-nigh useless. The mod
ern rage for fast horses is raising up q
race of fast young men that will prove
as useless to society as their fast horses.
1--WE do not object to specific premium
81 on speed, but to make this the all in all
q Alpha and Omega of our country fair !,
becoming an evil and curse that :, ~ :
Finely cured will be the ruin o. = NJ
Jude OF men and an incalo -, I ; nls,s = :,
10 society. Those yoNny 4laplc lnjul,
30 much time in the y Inen spe GU ~
ii dois and cooing ing their hl-shape,
lngain colts. md cursing about thei
heir brains lad better be cultiyatin
ng their Tor better business and skill
aeavw own brain for swift action am
M burdens and training themseive
the great race before them in th
|. gospel, whose good is Immortality an
whose Judge is both All-wise and AlmigF
lM ty.- Vermont Christian Messenger.