The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-08-13
COMMUNICATIONS.

| CoMAUEICAT ALTON.
Those who are fond of such things, will be
pleased to hear that the Lynchburg Theatre
will be opened, on tomorrow evening, by the
excellent company of Connexions attached to
the Richmond, Charleston md Savannah the
aires. II would be WORSE thar useless, at this
late day. to enter into iogirai vindicaticn OF
Theatrical amusements, or REPUTATION of the
odious character attached TO them by some,
whose m1tiees am far from mpeaching, whilst
| am compelled TO doubt the sanity of their
| judgment Admit that evil consequences
have resulted from them--it is.not fair toNle-
nounce an institution, because il has been a
| bused II ii were, the hottest institution in
the world would be nssaied with an irpesist-
bic weapon The corruptions which have
to the present day--the cloak which has been
made of pretended piety 10 conceal from OBJ
servation deeds at the rectal.of which huna-
mtg shudders--the spur which has been given
| To Llnd dryotors by furious higots, in under
taltiugs which having for th,ir object, the dis
| seminaton of the doctrines of the Bible, en-
! deayored TO accomplish that purpose by fire
and sw or'l-thc persecution which has always
characterized the conduct of the dominant
sect, towards those Of different creed all,
too, protesting to be disciples of the SANE
God, all toasting of their own piety, and ex-
communicating with rigid zeal these, who
| calling tlp .pl XpS mpmIGrS n the m iral
! body of common Saviour, sought future
| happiness by different path--all these things,
to say nothing of the rank hypocrisy which
has been generated in its very bosom, would
furnish a strong argument against the utility of
| the Church itself, if il were fair or honest thus
TO argue--Thcy who use such weapons, cogeni
and irresistible as they may deem them de.
serve neither consideration for their eandor
nor respect for their honesty. The Theatre, |
ever shall believe, is schoolin which are taught
lessons otthe purcst morality. lfmen choose 10
make ii place of dissipation, that is no just
ground of condemning the institution itself
such men would be dissipatod if there were
no Theatres aud, in attacking that institution
with such pertinacty aud vialenec, its enc
mics are cNhausting their strength on an oil.
iect which does not deserve their animadyel-
sions willie sinks OF the most offensive vice
and the most baIefaced violations of proprety
pass unnoticed Attendance on the repetition
! of Dialogues ffeught with Wit aud sentiment
aud glowing with the fires OF genius, is rop.
| rehended as il il were a crime of the first
magnitude; whilst tea table and drawing-room
of their neighbors, protected by veil thrown
on fer convenience, and which will be thrown
off with rs little ceremony should convenience
ever dictate such a course! o Temporal o
/ moreSt Such bgoted denunciations, however.
carry with them their own refutaton. 1t is
! impossible that the Theatre, rising with civil
ization and freedom, from a long night of ig-
norance and slavery, and extending and i'm
, proving with the progress OF refinement and
science, can be such hot-bed of vice and in-
! EQUITY. II ii were, that great and good, and
pious man, Addison, had never written for il.
nor countenanced ii by his presence. lie did
both, however, sanctioniRg the amusement by
prccept and example
But forbear TO pursue the subject-it is a
sore, which will not bear much rubbing. !
have already gone farther than / intended
having taken mp my pen only with the view of
calling abe attention OF the public TO the fact,
and of assuring them, if have rightly estima
ted the talents of the performers, that they will