West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1883-08-15

Every man, then, who wants to
elevate his race, to lift up the poor,
to benefit the workman, and to see
the rich led from selfish aggran-
dizement to sympathy with the
people who produce, should feel a
noble pride in the right mainten-
ance of local exhibition.
Second: Unfortunately in the
management OF these local fairs
the original ends dwindle to insig
nifcance, while perverted ends rise
immense, SO that the time has
come when all interested in the
preservation Of the morals of the
community should cry aloud
against the evil. Note some objec-
tions:
1. These exhibitions, as suggest
ed, are largely perverted in their
management.
2. Doubtful and often vicious
features are made first in import
ance.
3. Agriculture and the arts are
treated at them as secondary, I'M
important.
4. Moral distinctions and those
between good and bad citizenship
are broken down, by throwing
around unlawful and degrading
practices the blazonry Of public
gala season, and an apparently
quickened public spirit,
5. That education in solid indus
try, which is the basis of all true
husbandry and the arts, is power
fully antagonized on these occa
sions by the vices permitted and
encouraged before the assembled
people.
g. Our youth are educated, rather
at these times, to live by their wits
and their vilest wits at that.
7. Pauperism is fostered and So
ciety debased at these exhibitions
by unusual temptations to habits
of in.emperance; temptations espe-
cially debasing to our country
youth.
s. All this perversion of right is
carried on for the purpose Of secur-
ing the flashy but false success of
attending crowds and of reaping
dividends on the monies invested.
Note one or two notorious par
ticulars:
These Associations often pledge
to the public, in their printed
regulations before the day of open
ing, that nc intoxicating liquors
shall be sold on their grounds
that no gaming shall be allowed.
Presently, placards are shamelessly
posted in public places, calling for
bidders who may deal strong drink
to the assembled throngs. Exhibit
ton day comes. The public finds
the Booth Bar in full play, not ad,
vancing agriculture and the indus
tries: but inflaming mems passions.
and making them fit subjects for
felon's cells and huts of poverty.
These Bars" are surrounded by
professional "roughs," who travel
from county to county during the
fair season, with their gaming
wheels to fleece the wicked or in
nocent people of their substance.
They have bought the right, for
dividends and expenses must be
paid, if not by elevated methods,
then by those that are foul and in
defiance of the law. Hard by is
the derby Day" with its pools
and excitements and demoraliza-
tions. Legitimate trials of gait
and usefulness are thinly sand
wiched in to gull the farming
patronage.
Away over yonder, thinly strung
in humble pen or stall, or in the
burning field or wooden structure,
almost lost sight of, in the blazon-
ry of the chief features of evil, are
the neglected and scanty products
of agriculture and the arts
l demand, by what moral or
legal right Of God or man, is much
of this carried en-? 1t is not strange.
that as farmers see more people
made insanely drunk ON exhibit
ton days and excess of disorder
more than during all the year be-
side, they make this same inquiry,