Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-01-30
OLYMPIA, SATURDAY MORNING, JAN. 50. 1874.
AN INAUsPIOIoUs BEGINNING.


alton. 1t is the safeguard for our Gov
eminent. 1t underlies the foundation
upon which it is based. 1t is the guar
anty of its safety and perpetuity, and
the prop upon which we place the hopes
of future progression. The recogni-
zion of this truth has led to the expend-
iture of much time, thought and money,
in placing before the youth the facili-
ties for the ready requirement OF that
knowledge which shall constitute his
life-capital, and direct his course down
the Stream of Time. Doubtless the
surroundings of the student, while he
is mastering the rudiments, form the,
most lasting impressions and contribute
in a greater extent than all subsequent
experience to form the character of the
man. Elegant and commodious tenn
pies of learning are erected quite as
much to give the pupil enlarged ideas
of the world, as for either comfort or
convenience.
The new academy building recently
erected in Swantown is All ornament OF
its class, and one in which teacher, par
emit and scholar, will feel mutual
pride; but when we reflect upon the
tenacity with which first impressions"
cling to the memory, it will be regretted
that the edifce was dedicated by the
atrical entertainment and ball, in which
the future students participated freely,
to the apparent sanction of parents as
well as that of the founders of the in
stitution, most of whom are church
members of the most orthodox creed.
It may be true, as claimed, that the
dramatic portion of the entertainment
was sugar-coated by announcing it as a
charade, while the ball was doubtless
shorn of some of its evil tendencies by
being classified as a dance; but this
only mitigated the evil, and placed the
directors in the unfortunate predica-
ment of the deacon Good Templar, who
prescribed cider, until he discovered
the profit there was in its sale, when he
unhesitatingly adopted the sliding
scale of morality" called it "apple-
juice" and pocketed the profits. 1t did
not matter to this gentleman if his
lodge did protest, the nerve to the
pocket was strong enough to bear
the tension, and he "came OUT victor in
end-so far as profits were concerned.
If the directors of the new academy
entertained similar views of propriety,
and invited the people to witness o
drama or to take part in dance, as 0
means of accumulating fifty-cent pieces
"to sd good cause" under, the ides
that the end justified the means, they
might, like the deacon, have literally
lined their pockets by still further re
Taxation Of rules.
1t will be remembered that Rev. j
T. Wolfe, few weeks ago, preached
an able sermon on the subject Of "Pub
lie Amusements, in which he quoted
from the highest ecclesiastical author
tiles, the warnings, of the church. A
few of these will indicate the senti
ments and convictions of the leading
denominations on this subject.
The General Assembly of the Presby
terrain Church declare that
''On the fashionable though as we believe
dangerous amusen1ents of theatrical exhibi
make a few observations. The theater We
have always considered as school of immor
atty. With respect to dancing, we think j
necessary to observe that, however plausible
less dangerous on account Of that plausibili
ty. Let it once be introduced and it is diff
ficult to give it limits. 1t steals away pre-
cio9s time. dissipates religious impressions
Bishop McIlwain, of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, thus declares his
judgment on the same subject:
LET me now turn to objects inwhich there
and the dance. The only line would draw
in regard TO these, is that of entire exclusion.
And yet am well aware how easy it is for
the imagination to array both of these in such
an abstract and elementary simplicity, so di-
vested of all that gives them their universal
character and relish, that no harm could be
detected in either. And the same precisely
can be done with the card-table and horse
race"
The Address of the Bishops of the NJ.
e. Church South says:
sour church has never faltered in its teach.
ing or modified its tone in relation to dancing
theatres, the manufacture and sale of ardent
spirits, drunkenness, reveiings, and such
like, as demoralizing and fatal to Goodness
Now that we are threatened with these evils
coming in like flood, we renew our warn.
ing"
Tie General Convention of the Young
Mems Christian Association, at Albany.
N. Y. in 1866, resolved:
That we bear our energetic testimony
against dancing, card and billiard PLAYING as
30 distinctively worldly in their associations
and unspiritual i'm their influence, as to be ut
tGta nit