The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-04-21
Acknowledgement.
WHY THIS MANLY SPORT SHOULD BE FOs-
TERED RY OrR pEnPIE


TERED BY OUR PEOPLE.
NeSSrS. Editors Dispatch:
The first germ from which sprung our
&" Association OF Amateur Oarsmpn OF Vir-
ginia" had its origin at the University,
where great interest is taken in such mat
tiers. and where athletic sports Of every de-
scription are. Notwithstanding great incon-
veniences, found in more perfection than at
any place in our State. The boating inter-
est, OF which this Association Is the soul,
received its original stimulus from Mr..
FrancIs Rves's donation OF $3.50 TO
the Club bearing bis name at the Uni
versity. This interest has since 1876,
the period OF that donation, devel-
0ped and increased until we have now
a club at Washington and Lee, Lyncbburg.
Fredericksburg, the University OF Virginia,
two in Petersburg. several In Norfolk, and
club with growing hopes Of handsome
house in Richmond. These cluos have been
supported and sustained almost entirely by
the efOlts and at the expense OF the young
men, and il should be source OF great
pleasure to us to see our efforts so
soon rewarded in the rapid progress
our projects have made. But we should
not stop here, and though we eau
sant, innocent, and beneficent OF all the
open-air sports has received so fair start,
We should not Iest on our oars until it has
attained that degree OF perfection in which
we see it in the northern States. Now is
the time TO put our shoulders more man.
fully to the wheel, and not let the seed
sown by Mr.. Rives fall in rocky places to
spring up, flourish for a few days, and die
~
there is no need OF eXhorting the
young men. They have worked dill
gently so far, and their elders should
now lend a helping hand. We are per-
fectly willing 10 do our utmost in this
cause, and bear the expenses OF its main
tenance, as far as we are ALE. But il must
be evident to all that young men just start
ing in life, struggling TO keep our heads
above water and exc out a scanty living.
are little able TO bear the burden unassi,ted
by the business and wealthy men OF the
State. They can afprd to assist us. Ii
will be a great benefit TO the State, and
consequently to them. We excel the north
ern States in agricultural pursuits and are
desirous Of emulating them in developing
our mineral resources, manufactures, inter
nal improvements, commerce, and traffic oi
gree Of success we must strive to equa
them in energy and interest, must start Oul
sluggish southern blood. wake ourselves VI
a little, eniven our State; and know nc
more effectual means OF accomplishing thi,
end than by bringing the people together
cOngregating them at periods in the cities and
towns, and sending them back to their home;
with a revived ambition to show greater
In bair ID
effectual means Of doing this than attracting
them thitber by the pleasant means Of a re-
gattay A horse-race will draw Virginian
from his dinner. Will not boat-race like
wise attract bin! We Nirginlans need out
side capital. To get it we must make our
State attractive to capitalists. Among the
infinite variety OF ways to bring this about
surely boating is not the least. 1t may be said.
What does a business. man care for such folly
But has he not a family, and does not he
seek pleasant aud attractive home for his
sons and daugbtersf DO not cOnsidera.
tions OF this kind influence him greatly in
selecting bis future place OF Fe>idcncef A
boat club in each town would assuredy
make IL more attractive to both young and
old. But 10 look at il from the point OF
present interest, for every dollar you
give to the promotion OF the boating
interest you will receive yOnr quid
pro quo IN two dollars drawn from
tue pockets OF your country cousins.
Crowds Will collect from the country and
other cities 10 witness your rowing contests.
They must have quarters they will admire
your goods and take them home To their
families; they will throng your street.c1Is:
they will attend your places OF pubic
amusement; they Will patronzc your
lyery-men, to spend n pleasant evening
with their lady-lOyes; and lastly Il grieye
to record it), your blr-keepers will feel their
pockets grow fat. They will spend their mo-
ney freely. They are not oil such occaslo lons,
although "on pleasure bent" inflicted with
"frugil minds.' But disregardng the fact
that every man should be, according to bis
means, publc-spirited; disregarding the
fact that for every dollar given 10 this insti-
tuition you will receive an equivalent in
two dollars spent in your cities aud towns,
vet for the life OF me | cannot see how
man with one spark Of paternal
feeling could begrudge few dollars
to an association which would en-
tce his weak and paIlid son for
an hour or two each day from his
not office and consumptiye desk, to
make healthy man OF him, to a pastime
from which his daughters can derive the
greatest and most innocent pleasure. And
vet the weatbiest, when approached on the
subject, button their pockets and turn their
backs with a gruff 1t is the occupation OF
BOYS: let them look to it," Besides, 1t
is the most innocent Of all pleasures,
and the young must aud viii have some
excitement. Boating will draw many
OF YOUR sons from the blr-room and the
dice-box. keep them from spending
many an idle hour on the street-corners in
conversation that does them no good. And
vet wealthy father will lavish hundreds
of dollars on his son to be dssipated in
carousing, drinking, and gambling. without
moments hesitation, when he would not
give one dollar to maintain pastme which
would, to great extent, distract his atten-
lion from such scenes, and convert his
sallow, boated face into the ruddy hue
of healthy man. But | know how
vain Is attempting TO open a mans
pocket by means OF sentiment. Give
him chance Of putting a dollar into one
pocket and ut the risk OF your life you may
extract hlf-dollar from the other. Now,
think il the men OF the cities and towns
would consider for an instant they would
see that by pulling out that cherished half
dollar in advance to encourage regattas and
other sports they would lind the more
cherished dollar falling into the other
pocket. Consider that in the first
regatta held under the auspices OF
our Association at Lynchburg tive
thousand people were attracted to
that little town. At Fredericksburg the
first regatta brought some five thousand
and at the last some eight thousand people,
who spent their money freely, and see no
reason TO doubt that there will be from
twenty to twenty-five thousand at the CON-
ing regatta In Richmond. Each club OF the
five or six which have crews entered for the
race will bring from itstown large numbers