From the Richmond Dispatch, 3/27/1861, p. 1, c. 6

Reprehensible Practice. – On Sunday last, as we learn, and on various other occasions recently, ladies and gentlemen who have sought the Capitol Square for the purpose of pleasure and recreation, have been compelled to retreat therefrom because of the obscene and vulgar language used by youthful candidates for the State’s Prison, who most inopportunely have selected, as the theater for their vicious displays, the only pleasure grounds in the city. Our Police, not suspecting the existence of disorder or unseemly conduct on grounds devoted entirely to pleasurable recreation and innocent amusement, have not deemed it necessary hitherto to promenade therein to any great extent, but we advise them in future occasionally to resume the practice.

Go to top