The daily gazette., 1874-09-03
For the: Gazette.
Il ReDly from DVjiiOaCOrOce

MIR. EDITOR In glancing over the
GAZETTE of August 21st, chanced to
notice communication headed From
Petersburg, Delaware. So, owing to
my knowledge of the place, and my
acquaintance with few of the citizens
of that vicinity, was induced to read
the contribution, thinking probably
that it might be the means of enabling
me to hear from "the voice of the
people," but l had not proceeded far
in reading before l was gratifed to
know that the little piece was intended
as an answer to some remarks made by
your correspondent in the GAZETTE
regarding dancing. l say l was graft.
fed to know that such was intended
for an answer, for was in hopes OF
hearing from the other side of the
question. But in proceeding further
you can imigine my disappointment
in finding nothing In the piece OF an
instructive, beneficial, or logical ma
ture. 1t is not my design on this occa-
sion to oppose "Vox Populi" in all his
assertions, but rather to polish up those
assertions and make them more eXpli-
cit. too like milk for babes and
meat for strong men," and there are
many other things | like for strong
men, among which are strong and
steady steps but as for jigs | think 1t
would be more consistent with refine
ment and civility should they be con-
fined to dancing jacks.
"Vox Populi' endeavors TO justify
the innocence and harmlessness of
dancing by indicating that all other
gatherings and associations rs well as
dancing are associated or attended by
bad people. Now, not that l wish to
make the impression upon the minds
of any to the effect that l condemn
dancing because il is INDUCED in by
bad people, but, partly, because it is
indulged in by good ones, and mainly
because the influences of the ball room
make neither good nor bad people bet
ter but as II general thing-like re-
proving some folks for their faults
make them worse.
Why can we not find pleasure and
recreation elsewhere, than in the dim
torch lighted grove at midnight noon
among the giddy groups of youth and
festivity ? Why it is that many seek
such As n fountain of pleasure l know
not, unless it is because their ideas OF
pleasure consists of being jammed, run
against, snubbed and piqued, bothered,
detained, hindered, stepped upon, jos
tied and brought in collision with un-
| til completely worn out and exhausted
after which they wend the way home
with fevered heads and hacking cough,
through the damp and chilly winds OF
night, and then spend few sleeples'
hours In bed and arise next morning
| TO the annoyance of the whole family
which can be attributed 10 their dull
ness, pevishness, sickness and good-for
nothingness.
"VoK Populi does not deny but wha
dancing is indulged in by dad people
but they seem to think if we condemn
dancing on that account, We must con
denim everything else by the same stand
ard-the public sanctuary for instance
But it should be remembered that ser
mons, and means of grace, derive al
their virtue from the authority OF hris
who appointed them and has prom sed t
bless them; but the advocates OF IT, bal
room can never pretend that Christ ma
either ordained them or engaged to pu
his blessing upon them. Sofar are dance
from being useful to the cause OF virtue
that they are one of the most successfu
engines of vice that Satan ever invented
There seems to be disposition enter
tanned upon the part of "Vox Populi" t
remain upon tho bank and throw straws
but why il is they are thus inclined I
| act. and will not wade in, even in shallo'
water, like unto the dipper bird. l kno'
not, unless their inability to wade can
attributed to their having no legs at al
But | should be extremely gratitied to Sc
them aCdde in. q.
, August 3lst, 1874.