Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-03-22

agents are selling il out for 6jcts. per
bushel.
We noticed the other day Traveller
passing through the streets with his
horse hitched to a sleigh. We wonder
ed where he came from or where he
was going, for the only snow Ia sight
was over ION Dalton Hills.
Larger drives than usual are expec-
ted down the Connecticut River, The
coming spring. = Republicans
LunenSurg, March 20, 1873.
Mr.. Editor:-The criticisms of
"Sorrel Top on Mr.. Bdley's lecture
published In YOUR issue of the 18th
inst deserve some notice on account
Of their unfairness-not for any other
reason. Sorrcl Top tries TO convince
us that Mr.. Bailey's lecture was
rude, insolent d upamiable address.
lie atlirms that the lecturer ''exhaust-
eel the good nature of the audience.
g ave the people Of Lunen5urg such
raking as they never took before,
placed them on par with the r3kes
Of all the cities in the Union, classed
them with the very scum of theatrical
performers &C." Now / was present
anil heard the whole of the lecture
heard it carefully, and | uLhesitating-
ly pronounce the criticisms of "Sorrel
Top" to be absolutely and entirely
false. There was not rutie, insult
Ing, or unamiahIe uttefance in the
whole lecture. 1t was certainly 'logi-
cal, every point male was proved by
iDyincibie arguments. But the spirit
of the lecture was excellent. Nothing
was said in malice; nothing was sail
that could, possibly dispIease any one
who was not already in an irritable
state Of mind.
As certain of our citizens have hecn
thrown into high dndgeon and have
ma le a most ridiculous cutlery, we
would mcekly enquire, what are their
particular grievances? For their own
amusement. or for the enlightenment
of our benighted community, few
young people formed themselves into
Dramatic Club. and played "Ten
Nights in Bar Room" They had a
large and appreciative audience,
larger than ever assemblies in this
town to h:ar the gospel preached. The
best rs we'll as the worst Of our citi-
zens turned out to see the play. No
body disturbed the performance, no.
body made any il-nature1 comments
upon it, (rcpnrts to the contrary not
withstanding Now what was there
to get mad about? Neither of the
Pastors attended the play. hut hadn't
they q right to stay at home? Had
any one right to demand that they
should endorse and uphold what in
their opinion was hurtful in its in.
hnencc and therefore morally wrong
But one OF the Pastors thinking the
people were more interested in the
drama than in their soas', procured g
lecture upon the subject, and invited
the people to hear it. But did he
violate any law, human or divine il
doing this? Dill he infringe upon
any mans or woman's rights? A:
those who did not wish any light on
this Subject, had the unquestioncr
privilege OF staying ut home, il seem,
to me they have no real grievance tt
complain Of.
Dramatic Plays have hcen the suh
irct Of discussion for 1000 ycars. Phi
losophers, Statesmen and moral teach
ers Of every Eiu!l have freely con
demncd them in every part Of th,
world. Has ANYBODY in Lunenburg :
right to demand that this discussion
shall instantly stop? If so, from wha
high source has he derived his sub
lime authority? And if the pulpit and
the platform arc to he gagged on Thu
subject. why not also on the suhipc
Of incompetence, sabbath Decoration
dishonesty and living? None Of thes'
!, subjects can he discussed without of
Tending somebody.
] am not sure that it is hest for TIN
peopi" OF Luncnlurg to keep thei
churches open any longer. The grea
henefit Of the Gospel is certainly no
very apparent in the lives of our citi
zens. It might ba'as we'll to diSm:s
J our Pastors at once, and hHiid grant
theatre and depend entirely upon tn
drama for eur moral and religious cul
1 tnre, But while We do keep on
churches open. for Heavens sake lie
1 us not have ministers of the "Goo
: Lord and Good Devil" sort. Let Il
I rather choose for our Pastors, men
$ who have opinions Of their own, nm
have the moral courage to assert them
1nt snch mon let us remember. ca
l rot he gagged. nor driven into y gos
t ling theatre Nv the fear Of forfcitin
u the esteem Of their parsllioner7.
D JOKES.
3 Norton Mills.
! The weather has turned colder an