Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-09-01
plc-nlc at PnLnlKrn.

PICNIC al P0fHlfrd.
To the CHRONICLE:
Picnics, barbecues and brandances
for several years past, have had
some Objectionable features, intem-
perance and disorderly conduct have
figured in them SO conspicuously
that really prudent parents have
been disposed to withhold their pat
rOnage TO some extent. This year
new leaf seems to have been turn
ed over; and an improvement to
have been made, worthy of notice.
Our young people had a picnic
and brandance at this place on
Saturday last which reflects credit
upon the managers and all those
present /; and compares 1 think,
most favoraDiy with the amuSe,
ments for the young ordered by the
''most strict" of the churches. In
deed, it was an occasion on which
the old could well meet and sit in
the shade, and talk over old times,
and enjoy themselves, while the
young, under the extensive arbor,
and the inspiring music of the
GAINESVILLE String Band, could move
themselves gracefully in the dance.
The dancing was splendid and the
GAINESVILLE Bar we'll represented.
Not a drop of liquor on the ground
nor in the vicinity; not an oath or
an indecent WORD heard during the
day and in a large crowd, nothing
to offend even the most sensitive !;
everything in perfect order; plenty
to eat for everybody.
Well, all this change in things
will be set down to the credit of the
"four-mile law" which has recently
been put in operation here, and
doubtless the prime movers in that
matter will congratulate them
selves on their right to universal
praise. Let those dispute with
them who claim some credit tor
themselves. This is not my BUSH
ness. But L also attended, two
weeks ago, an Old-fashioned barbe-
cue without the brandance, on H.
dian Creek, in Dist. No. Is, which
l unhesitatingly pronounce the best
of the kind that L ever attended.
A large crowd of old and young as
sembled in the beautiful grove of
the old school house, some on
benches, others on the gass, all en-
jOying themselves in their own
way. The feast was long, the car
casseS were numerous and varied,
and the boss of the pit graduate in
that line. The table WAS we'll ar
ranged and perfect order prevailed.
The ladies were invited TO the table
first, and the men had to wait.
While waiting, 1 became uneasy
lest the ladies would leave us the
bones to pick, (fOr | never before
saw women eat SO much,) so |
concluded that I'd whet my appe-
tite little, if such thing were
practicable; but after the most dill
igent search, aided by two splendid
strait dogs" it was no go. But our
turn came, and there was plenty
for all fresh from the pit, and my
appetite needed no whetting. Not
a drop of liquor on the ground not
an oath heard during the day !;
everything pleasant and everybody
friendly.
Well, what has caused this great
change? No "fOur-mile law" here.
This old school house has not been
Incorporated. What has done it {?
The Gospel has been preached much
and ably to these people. They
are Bible-reading people, and they
have concluded 10. shoulder the re-
spOnsibility imposed upon them as
individuals, as heads of families,
ana as members OF society, ana M
corporate their Oton stOmachs, and
induce their children, and their
neighbours children to do the same.
and thus obey the teachings of
Christ and his apostles. They don't
seem TO believe much in making
men sober by laws any more than
in that of making them Christians
by law. But they seem to think
that Christianity and its allies have
an independent work to do of their
own, and that Church and State
should neither unite nor conflict.
Yours truly,
q. II. \.
Palmyra, Aug. q, 1888.