American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-07-19
THE acknowledgements.


" made in the Legislature of the state OF Connecticut to
pass law for the suppression of all theatrical representa-
tons times of darkness long since dspeed, this 60
THO effort might have been viewed without indignation;
but at period when mental cvzat on has advancedto SO
exalted height, and in country famed for the diffusion
of knowledge and the absence OF prejudice an endeaVo
to deprive the public of the benefit OF the most enlightened
mode of popular amusement should be conemplae ed with
ALARM and received with that angry and decisive dsappro
baton which should ever be the answer TO faatcism or g
norance when attempts the violation OF an important
right. The questions started by puritanica zeal about the
period of the Commonwealth in England, whether the
Stage had moral immoral tendency, has been de-
cided and reduced the following generally received pro-
position. The Stage has nothing in It's nature necessarily
erncious it is well calculated to dispense knowledge and
promote virtue; may BE- and has BEEN convered like all
other instruments of human invention, to evil purposes
But the possible abuse of thing sufficient reason Tor
its subversionl Are We justified in destroying beautiful
empe because it may become the sanctuary OF CRIMINALS
Acknowledge this principle, and every thing civil EATON
boasts OF will crumbe into dust; the men whose memory
in the heart of every friend OF improvement
will be no longer honored with our praise Cadmus WI
be cursed when think of Observation-Disclosures, when
we hear of Observation-Disclosures Castor, when we wit
the results of his mighty Observation-Disclosures when
hear of electricity; and the memory OF Fulton VIII be
execraed when the steam engine exhibits itself TO our
view Would you destroy the Press because some despe
rate disappointed make it the vehicle OF their vu
gar violent passions Give us an instance OF any one
journal whose columns have not been perverted at some
period other, immoral CT low, or malignant purpo
ses. Yet the advantages which the Press bege's-the
light which it diffuses-he truth which It ellclts-the vices
which it keeps in awe, compensate, hundred fold TOR
its possible evils. Just with the Stage; an expires
sion be uttered which oends deiicacy without being ne
cessary to the deneaon OF the character represented we
have sentiments in the dialogue, every line OF which
makes in love with purity. II play having evidently
mmo tendency happen 10 be introduced on the Stage
through the unusual neglect OF managers does not our
language abound with pieces whose tendency to paint
virtue in her aes FORM and to represent vice in its most
disgusting dress? Does avarce tempt us 10 the gaming
table let witness the distress OF Beverley, ~rlng
under the agones of upbradng conscience afraid to
look the ruin that he had produced and suffering under
the treachery of gaming acquaintance Does Jealousy
make waste of afectionsi the fate Of Otheo warns
in solemn accents to beware of unjust suspicion There
is play of any note in the language which does not
furnish with lucid lesson of morality. What pulpit
instruction could make more cnamoured OF tia pieiy
and maternal affection than the incidents and language OF
Dougas2 What morahst could ever wish 10 see the hor-
with which ambition rewards its votares more power
fully deneaed than in the fate and character OF the proud
| Pzarro We defy the ignorant enthusiasts who would
deprive the world of the drama, 10 point out single play
which can be justly denomnaed pernlciois But then,
hey exclam the Theatre congregates masses OF people
whose object is vicious indulgence so does churchso
does steamboats, does Master tubarls exhibition
There twenty in hundred of individuals who
sembe in public place that actuated by perfect p-i
ty and virtue Ii the world wants to be reformed it
the fault of the Sageit the fault of human nature and
of circumstances To the progress that mankind have
made in Improvement the Stage has contributed perhaps
largely the other boosted instruments Of Instruction
Its efforts have not been the chickering's the
eaouses, the bigory, which have stained and paalyzed
the labours of those who have instructed communities I'M
der different agency.
We admit that taste has lately prevailed both in this
country and in England highly deogatory to the high pur
poses for which the drama is destined love tor melo
dramas has seized the public and has consequently
ned managers this doubt is to be sincerely regretted
But public Journalists have in their power to restore the
reign of good taste Let nothing be praised which does
not deserve praise let every violation of correct feeling
and purity be theoretically condemned; let public writer's
devote proper degree of attention to the dlanai let the
vulgar and perncous system OF putting and aatopung be
exploded, and shull have in theatres exhibitions
which, uniting instruction to amusement, will be bebed
with benefit and delight by all sexes and ages This how
ever merely involves the literary or intellectual improve
ment OF the Stage;of its moral condition we again and
agan repeat that there not play in our language of
which the representation is admitted that has not prnta-
BILE tendency. No man need leave the Theatre without
being better than when he enteredit.
With respect to the consu,ionay or the policy of the
interference Of government with the amusemens Of its
citizens, have always entertained very strong doubts
One day, when political science will be better understood
than it is at present. shall discover that its perfection
consists more in the paucy, than in the multiplicity OF
laws There few of the of community with
which it is wise for legislature to interfere Individual
discretion and prudence will be found much efficient
agents in the adoption Of good and the avoidance Of evil
than the most ponderous edc issued by Connect
cut legislature. moral people, If convinced of the mis-
chicvous tendency OF custom, will voluntarily abandon IL
an immoral people will not be restrained i'll the ndu
gence OF customs, by any statutes Order the people
to dance in the open assembly rooms and they will go to
hauns of filth and secrecy to indulge in practice which
the rash interference OF government has made ten times
more fascinating.
N B We do not mean to say that dancing pernicious
in cold weather unaiteraby attached to it--bu
what will not ignorant oiciousness do' Laughing, it is
sad is about to be merced by the wise Of the day
Pity some jolly fellows Of acquaintance. We hear
however, that they will indulge their risbe propenstes in
spite of profound awgvers, unless instruments termed
laughtersuppessing gags be invented, aid the
ton of the laws. Globe g Emerald.
| 6GCffco
The Tympanum of the Capitol Although none
of the artists who submitted designs for basso re-
lievo ornament for the Tympanum OF the Eastern
Portico Of the Capitol successful, we under
stand that subsequent design has been adopted by