The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1897-04-17
DANCING is DEGRADING.
"Consistency' Produces Statistics TO Prove
This Assumption.

|
| This Assumption.
ED. TIMES MoUNTAINEER:
| When l submitted a thought or
two" to your valuable paper last SatLr-
day, 1 did not dream that was to run
up against the infinite wisdom, the in
comparable wit, the admirable versa
tility and the highstrung philosophy
that revolve around the axis in the
sacred regions of the upper story of
John II. Cradlebaugh, Esquire. How
ever, since he has thrown down the
gauntlet, and virtually defies me to
make certain of my assertions good,
cannot, and will not let such defiance
| 60 by default. although l really feel
like David going forth against old
| Goliath. Still. if Bro. Cradlebaugh is
willing to lend me his eyes and ears
for a moment. and emerge from the
lofty pinnacle of his editorial great
ness, shall make an honest endeavor
to produce statistics to back up the OBJ
servatlons l made, which seem to give
the aboYe-named editor no little cause
for supposed unrighteous Indignation.
make bold to suggest right here
that the editorial of Mr.. Cradlebaugh
is, prima facie, inconsistent. To think
that a man in this enlightened day,
blessed with unusual intelligence,
should demand proof of the evil and
dangerous practice of dancing! 1t is
enough to cause the morning stars to
cease singing together, produce their
pocket handkerchiefs and shed copIous
tears, because of the blindness and
gross ignorance of the deviltry and
hypocrisy of the dance, of such indi-
viduals as these. However, if such are
really sincere in their demands for
proof land Editor Cradlebaugh seems
to be sincerel can provide plenty of
statistics, and have more to spare. l
desire, moreover, to reiterate that the
modern dance is the most subtle and
seductive agency employed by his
Satanic nibs. Take all out of the dance
which contributes to the service of the
devil, and there will be nothing left in
the dance. 1t is one of Satan's choicest
tools for bunting the finer sensibilities
of manhood and womanhood, and, 1
might add it is, perhaps, the unconsci-
Gus production of lust.
AS one writer has well said, it is
"hugging set to music, and that, pub
lie and promiscuous. Nine-tenths of
the men who dance would never enter
the ballroom were it not for this hug
ging privilege. which they know they
can't get elsewhere. Another thing,
nearly all of those whose aspirations
are no higher than the dancing school
and the fashionable ballroom
weaken their character, while on
the other hand, those who aspire
to higher plane in life than the
mere level of the dance-be it in
the ballroom or in the respectable"
dancing school-do everything to
strengthen their character and reflect
the image of their maker.
But space will not permit further OBJ
servations along this line. Now for
the statistics" that friend Cradle
baugh thinks am unable to bring to
light. First, take up the statement
of my friend, Mr.. T. A. Faulkner, ex-
president of the Dancing Masters As
sociation of the Pacific coast. Mr..
Faulkner is, besides, an enhancing
professor, who, after contemplating |
the extensive evils of his respectable |
business, and the ruin he had wrought |
thereby, concluded to call halt, aud |
expose the internal art. Here is what |
he says: 1.-THE most accomplished and |
most perfect dancers are to be found
the abandoned women. Why? |
Because they are graduates of select
schools. From two hundred
brothel inmates with whom I have
talked personally, I gathered that
their downfall is attributed as follows:
Dancing schools and bathrooms, 1853:
strong drink, 20; willful choice, 10;
poverty and abuse, T." Again, the
chief of police of New York City will
tell you that 'three-fourths of the
abandoned women in that city took
their first downward step when they |
learned 20 dance" The matron of a
refuge home in Los Angeles, CAL,
says: "Seven-tenths of the girls here
have fallen through dancing and its
influence" Mr.. Floris, of San Fran
cisco, another ex dancing professor"
says: There are in San Francisco
900 abandoned women; and 1 can
safely say that three-fourths OF these
lead to their downfall through
the influence of dancing" 1t can also
be safely said as to any other large
city.
If dancing were "a delightful pas
time with no more harm in it than q
spelling bee or school debate" why
should such men as Bishop Coke. of
Western New York, say officially,
'The gross and debasing waltz would
not be tolerated fer another year if
in our communion would
only set their faces against it, and re-
move our daughters from its contain
nation?" Orwhy should such a large
minded man as Horace Bushnell de-
louuce it as "Contrived possibilities
,f license which belong to high society
)nly when it runs low?" And why
should the convention of New England
Congregational pastors resolve that
fashionable dances, as now carried
IN, are revolving to every feeling of
lelicacy and propriety, and are fraught
With the greatest danger to millions?"
Why should the late Gail Hamilton
proclaim with much vehemence, 1.-THE
hing in its very nature is unclean and
annot be washed?" Why should
Webster, one of the brainiest statesmen
ur nation has known, say. when asked |
Why he didn't dance, 81 haven't brains
nough?" Why should experienced /
physicians, eminent statesman, and ,
earned college professors, denounce 9
as unhealthy, and conducive to the a
Impairment of the constitution, ply G
ically, mentally and morally? Now it G
70 possible that Bro. Cradlebaugh will i
uestion the authenticity of the above q
uotations. If so, cheerfully invite C
i'm to come to my library, and 1 will s
roduce them and take pleasure in t