Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-06-11
The Church versus Round Dancing.

10 the EdttOT OF the AteTGndrl0 Gdzette:
AS the opinions which L hold and de-
sire to make known ON the above named
subject might possibly be refused place
in the columns of religious newspaper,
and as, at any rate, [ shall not risk the
indignity of rejection, or of clipping and
pairing, would, with your kind per-
mission, avail myself Of the more liberal
spirit of the secular press.
Much has been written, in my judg-
mont, far better left unwritten, or at
least, unpublished, concerning the inn
moral tendencies of the ''round dance"
In short, the structures on this score bear
a startling resemblance to what was said
of the Romish casuists, whether truly or
not-that their descriptions of sin taught
persons to practice it. There can be lit
tie doubt, 1 fear, that those letters and
editorial comments which the religious
press has given to its little world, on the
degrading practice" of the Ground
Dance" have suggested good many in
delicate ideas to the innocent mind of
youth, especially of the gentler sex, of
which it had no previous conception
And the wicked world perhaps may
marvel how those ideas got into the
minds of the righteous. "Honi soft qui
NAL y pense"-that is what the wicked
will say when they read, or hear of the
furious onslaughts in religious papers or
religious gatherings against practice
which has certainly been followed by
many whom it would not be safe to call
immoral.
1t strikes me as exceedingly unwise,
in more aspects than one, to agitate this
question: Against any discussion con-
demnatory of the practice lies the unan-
swerable objection that it opens the door
to prurient ideas which mightelse have
long lain dormant. And then the folly
of attempting to write down, or speak
down, or rule down, any one objection
able practice, granting this to be such,
whilst not a line is written nor a word
said, nor a "canon" proposed, against
other practices far more objectionable
For my part, as the father of daughters,
1 would infinitely rather see them in
dulgein ''round dance" in the open
light of candles. or of gas, and before
numerous eyes, than that they should
go buggy riding with young men, or
take lonely walks in ''lovers' lanes" or
In moonlit or gas-lit streets, or in streets
without any lights, or even have an
"escort" home after church in the dark
night. If it amuses young couples to
whirl round in the dance L say, "Honi
"
affair, since it is before room full
And, until those effusions against its
immoralities saw the light, L feel well
assured that young ladies have allowed
themselves the degrading practice"
with the purest thoughts. Let us hope
good many of them have neither seen,
nor heard, nor read, all the nasty things
that have appeared in religious papers
about it.
Do the wise men, or boys (for it would
seem from the style of composition, that
some who have favored the world with
their notions on this point would do
we'll to tarry in Jericho till their boards
be grown remember the saying of a
genius, "Naturam eXpellas 81 furca
tamen usque recurret?"
The fair, logical end of all the argu-
ments put forth on this subject would
be to shut off the sexes from each other
| altogether. But the birds will pair in
spite ofall mans wisdom. And religion
no more now than in the days of the
Pharisees, is promoted in the long run
| by external restraints.
And moreover, if all this writing a.
bout the matter is demonstrably unWisa,
much more is any attempted legislation.
A canon against 'round dancing" would
be either utterly inoperative-a dead
letter, disregarded by every one possess
ed of reasonable breadth of mind, or.
when enforced by the "unco good"
among the brethren, would reduce their
| communion list to wall-fOwers, )" or 9TH
er plain and pious virgins.
Let the young people enjoy them
selves, and let the religious press no
longer pursue its degrading practice"
of imagining all sorts of nasty things as
the result of "round dances.u
| For ourselves we love to witness the
graceful gyrations of the waltz, when a
handsome couple of different sexes are
the performers. About "the German
we shall say nothing, for we know moth
ing. But, in our younger days, we have
many time, waltzed, not only with
pure and innocent girls but also with
young married ladies, and in the pre-.
sence of their husbands, too, nor did the
latter call either their wives or ourselves
to account for the degrading practice. u
1t IS to be hoped we have heard the
last of those "hOly growls," either from
bishop, priest, or deacon. And if young
persons take our advice they will dance
as usual round" or square" only
Keeping within the bounds of decorum
as to partners. We do not recommend
young ladies' to waltz with all comers In
public "hops"-let their parents OF
chaperones, look out for that, but in a
respectable private party, safe from all
doubtful associations, let the young peo
pie dance the Ground dance,n only
amenable to the laws of grace, elegance
culture, and-delicacy!
We venture to say there is NOR,
sin done in clique of pharisaical censor.
OF the amusements of the young thar
has euer been committed by the young
IN obedience to the impulse for graceful
by art ELEUTHERos,