The Palatka news and advertiser., 1903-03-27
SOME FACTS ABOUT DANCING.

have high opinion of the EDITORS judgement re-
quests him to give his opinion about dancing. She
wants to know whether not it is wrong and if so,
why?
Dancing, in itself, is not harmful. 1t is not i'm
moral If not carried to excess it is a heathful
exercise Your doctor and your minister will ad-
NIT the truth of that statement. But
The harm in dancing is largely an i'll of associa-
tion. The girls who dance most are of an age when
impulse rules rather than reason, and they often
meet men who are not fit companions. The result
of such association, in some instances, is breaking
down of the natural barriers that should exist be-
tween "man of the world" which is the nice name
for an unprincipled scoundrel in good clothes, and
an innocent woman.
The less you or any other girl have to do with
such men the better. They have no right to the So
ciety of good women no right to smiles and pleas
ant conversations no right to associate with your
mothers daughter
Again, there is the matter of OVERRIDING, and late
hours.
1t is jolly fun to dance 1t is no wonder that the
young folks, and good many of the old ones, find
pleasure it it. 1t is enjoyable that wants to
go again and again, and the girl boasts that she
went through twenty-four number program and
never missed dance. Sometimes she becomes
overheated. Her cheeks burn, and she eats ices
swallows cold drinks and lets breeze blow upon
her unprotected neck and head. That means excess
and careIessness. Further down the line pneu-
monia and consumption. Before now girls have
died because they were careless.
Even good thing is a wrong thing when carried
beyond the bonds of sense.
You can safely leave the matter to the judgement
of your parents. They know good deal about the
l world. They can see pitfalls where, perhaps, you
can see only lights flowers and hear music that sets
your pulse a-throbbing.
A newspaper cannot decide what is right or wrong
I for you 1t is so much matter Of environment,
= temperament and bringing up. You see there is
much to be said on both sides of the dancing ques-
ton.
There are people who believe dancing is sin. If
they dance, it is sin for them, and they have weak
ened their moral character by not being true to
themselves. There are persons equally good VIII o
dance and encourage their children to dance. 1t is
possible for both to be right.
-0@
Now that Congressman Davis is in the state and for
time relieved from the exactng duties of congressional
labor, to be hoped he will give thought to that
little matter of the governorship. Florida is going to
select governor next year, and far there has
been seriously mentioned in connection with
o ular demand that he become the candidate The sug-
gesion of his has met with popular approval
which has up in shouts from both press and peo-
pie in all parts of the state Mr. Davis has certainly not
failed impressed with the sponaniety of the call
Ia call so pronouncedly general in volume and
ress that it amounts to popular demand rarity in
the history of party politics in this any other state.
The people of Florida awaiting Mr. Davis decision,
and there would be general disappointment if he said
them nay.
There is trouble brewing for BRO" Porter of the Bap-
ts Witness. 1t is stated reliable authority that a
rival Baptist organ will be sprung at Gainesville next
month with pad-n capital of 100000 The paper is to
be issued from the office of the Hill Printing Company
and will be edited by Gainesville preacher who has
not been "FOrbsidzed" The paper, while srenuously
advocating the most liberal application of water, will
oppose with all the power it command resort to
whtewash Painter anything else that seeks to shell
ter nest-hidng among the ologes of the colleges of
, that denomination. The paper will be handicapped
somewhat from the start owing to the fact that it will
not have the endorsement of the State Baptist Associa
tion but that excellent body, with its ap
prova in the past may not always hold out against
good thing if be the paper proves to be that
thing.
1t said that j. E. T. Bowden, of the candidates
for mayor of jacksonville will make his plat
form, one of the main panks of which will be wide
open" town. The generally accepted meaning of this
term is that vice in its popular and genteel forms
will be fostered. The modern American city is bad
enough at best Vice in velvet and vice in vulgar vogue
are ever present them. But municipal morals
tanly at low ebb when candidate for the executive
office braZeny his preference for wide open
policy There may be other issues of moment in this
Jacksonville campaign and the man Bowden may take
the right side any and all of them, but his turpis
causa of a 'wde OPEN town Outweighs in Importance
every other cause and consideration. A who is
morally rotten at the never be safe man in
matters of government.
! -o@-
After generations of talk and waiting it does
that the United States of America is about to
an ishmian canal The finally chosen is that at
Panama on which the government of France had made
beginning. The senate has consented to treaty with
Columbia and all that remains to do bef actual
digging begins is for the Columbian Congress to ratify
the treaty. President Roosevelt with all his faults of