Public Virtue.

During the Revolutionary War the Continental Congress passed a resolution that "discouraged every species of extravaganza and dissipation, especially all horse racing and all kinds of gaming, cockfighting, exhibitions of shows, plays and other expensive diversions and entertainments." It was felt by the leaders of the nation that these activities were frivolous and contrary to responsible standards of morality. After the Revolution, however, the states began to lift the restrictions on games, sports, theater, and other recreations. Some people saw recreation as an expression of freedom. To them, developments in the arts and participation in leisure activity were the direct outgrowth of a free people and a successful society. Nonetheless, there were still enough people who viewed leisure as sinful, slothful, and a threat to virtue, the cornerstone of democracy. These two conflicting ideologies produced a pendulum-type response to recreation and leisure in the...