New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-05
CHIRJTY BILLS,
predecessor,

The annual Charity Ball, as our readers
know, proved a success financially, and was
the most brilliant spectacle OF the Winter.
The class of people who are represented there
are not likely to give any sign OF the pressure
of hard times. Their laces and diamonds
make as fair show as they did last Winter,
when they have an opportunity OF displaying
them. We are aware that great many we'll
meaning people protest urgently against this
occasion for such display, and insist that the
other equally weli-meanng people who wear
them have no business to serve God by giving
to the poor the proceeds of balls, concerts, or
any other occasion devised for their own
amusement.
As to the morality or even propriety Of balls
and dances, per ST., that Is a question Win
which we as secular observers have nothing to
do. 1t belongs to the conscience OF each III
diyidual Christian to determine for himself.
But the objection raised applies not only to
this charity ball, but to innumerable smaller I'M
dcriakings of the same kind-balls, private
theatricals, tablcaus, readings, etc. which the
young people of almost every city ana village
in the country are giving for charitable pur-
poses. The Directors urge that they are III
duging their own vanity under the cloak OF
charity: there is much horror expressed at
the sharp contrast of flashing jewels and rich
dresses" within doors, while outside are men
and women starving and naked.
Now let us have less sentiment and more
common sense in the matter, and that too on
behalf OF the hungry, not the jeweied women.
OF course there is "a difference III their con-
dition; of course there will be that difference
until agrarian laws prevail. How many OF the
rich or even wcll-to-do Directors are ready to
"sell all that they have and give to the poor"
1t was hard saying; too hard for hun who
had kept all the commandments from his youth
up. How then are we, in even the most par
tial degree, to cqualize these conditions to help
the necessities of the poor man a. by the
slIpcruty of the rich man B9 b. is not
going to give this Winter more than certain
amount in charity he is not going to spend
more than certain amount on the neccssarieS
of life the times are hard, and an economical
fit is on him, much more severely virtuous in
deed than the times require. But he will
spend his money for amusement. 1t is
the luxury which the nervous, ard-wOrked
American gives up last He recognizes the need
of it as a dyspeptic Graves horse-radish The
thcater which brings out roaring farce is
crowded. though subscriptions to foreign mis-
sions fall Off. The girls dressed and danced
and the young men made love and married
them all through the grSly horror of the war,
and they will carry on the same old play now,
however hard the times be- Why should not
the overflow of their plenty and happiness drop
on their poorer and sadder neighbors'
We see no reason to forbid it. Many effcc-
tive pictures too are drawn of the poor needle
woman working in her garnet over the fnery
worn by the pctted belle. But suppose the
belle does not wear the fneryl The poor
ncedlewOman starvcs. a large class in New
York subsist by supplying these very Injuries,
the Use of which is condemned by economists
who regard only the sentimental side Of the
subject.