Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1884-04-26
Nancasfer !9ntelltgcnrcr.
Ipdicting tho Circus.


The Philadelphia grand jury has de-
clared to the court that it considers
Barnums circus q nuisance, because OF
the disorder II causes in the streets
about the show and the bad characters
who c c1ngregate about It. 1t wanted
TO know whether IL could not indict
Barnum. AS well as the unlicensed grog
sellers who lined the streets with their
booths and whom the police had pounced
upon. The jury's squestion caused smile
In the court house. IL seemed amusing
In that atmosphere that jury should
want to get down to the original cause
Of crime.
Perhaps the audience laughed because
Il had been informed by the Philadelphia
newspapers what beautiful and moral
show Barnum's was. There was the
sacred white elephant on exhibition,
which had been brought from its distant
home for the entertainment of the
Sunday school children and religious
persuasions to whom Mr.. Barnum
caters. IL did seem, no doubt, very
funny TO the court house audience that
a show so highly commended, lauded
and championed by the news
papers of their town, which never
say anything they do not believe,
aud never believe what is not true, nor
are ever betrayed into shading the truth
by considerations Of lucre, should be
denounced as nuisance by the grand
jury. And yet the probability is that
the jury was nearer right than the news
papers. We are much addicted to the
circus, but we charge the devotion to
q weakness of the flesh. We must ad
init that it is not an elevating institu
ton aud that 1t is capable OF vast im
provement in its conduct. The truth is
not worshiped about, circus, whose
proprietors and performers live to de.
ceive. Mr.. Barnum has attained his
reputation and high respectsbility, las the
arch decever. Mr.. Blrnum's career
teaches that It is very right to lie, and
Mr.. Barnum has taught this lesson thor
oughly to the newspapers, which lie with
uuanimity and JUNCTION whenever and
wherever he comes around. Mr.. Bar
mum rejoices in the title of the Prince OF
Humbugs. Ii is his valuable stock
in trade. His name is about all that he
gives to his show. That sacred white
elephant Is no more Of curiosity than
al old white COW but he vows that it is
a big thing at home, and ,liberally paying
people of easy virtue to join in his aC
claim, the people are freely drawn L
spend their money for their experience
They take down slightly colored water al
lemonade and accept kernelless and an
cient shells, IN small measures at hig
prices, AS genuine peanuts. They ar
hustled about unresstingly and seduce
with ease into all manner of delusv
side shows. There is certainly littl
refinement about circus attendants ant
none too much about circus perform
ances still the circus is. seductlv
thing, and we should be sOrrOy to sc
grand juries indict them as nuisances
4 little circus during the year is no
bad 10 take. The human constitution
could not stand the moral or physica
strain every day or every week bu
as We get 1t only a few timet
in the year in the country we car
escape without much injury. In cities,
however, where the tent stands for weeks
the institution no doubt needs an over
hauling. Even the presence of sacred
white elephant within the tent will not
atone for the deviltry in the surround
ings.