Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-08-08

| low themselves a little recreation and usefuI
amusement.
For some weeks past, considerable excite
ment has been felt in that place, relative to
the erection Of Theatre; and so warmly was
the project opposed, that the presses were EN-.
ployed with all their artillery, 10 put an end to
, a project, which is equally honorable and
/, praise worthy. The erection Of Theatres, are
evidences of the marches Of civiliza ton and in.
telligence; and we know of no place Of public
resort, the operations of which, act more ben
officially on the minds of the public at large
than a well regulated Theatre. 1t is true, and
We do not wish to deny the fact, that vicious
people do frequently resort to a Theatre; and
whilst there, disgrace themselves and the os-
ta5lishment, by their infamous department and
debauchery; but then the fact does not prove,
that theatricals are the common gcner ators of
vice and crime. a vicious man, will deport
himself infamously, wherever he may go; and
will be as likely TO offend dccency in Church,
as in Theatre.
A well regulated Theatre, which maintains
a respectable and talented company, is Il
school Of instruction, which ought ever to be
supported, by an intelligent people; and the
prcIudiccs which have been created against
Thea trical establishments ought to be al
summation so dcvontly to be prayed for, will
he accomplished, ere many years pass away,
and that the regular, legitimate drama, will
find an increase Of that patronage, to which
it is certainly entitled
We congratulate the lovers Of the drama, in
Salem, that they have succeeded in their en-
terprize, have looked down all opposition. and
commenced an establishment, the existence
Of which, will be crcditabe to their ntelli-
gcnce, taste, lberality and munifcence.
A week or two since, we read in ncwspa-
per, published as We think, in some part Of this
State, an article relative to vice and crime,
which went on TO remark, that at Cincinnati,
Ohio, new Theatre was building, and that
the erection Of such structure, was an cvi-
dcnce Of the increase Of crime, in that dcvo'-
ed city. The paper, as the reader will readily
infer, was devoted to the cause Of Foreign
Missions snd Theological Spunging Societies;
and whilst it took strong exceptions TO the es
tablishment ofa Theatre in u solemn aud sane
tilted tone, implorcd the aid Of the widow
and orphan, and demanded Of them their last
cent, to further the quixolc expeditions Of
some hundreds of puritans, who have conceiv-
ed the very plausble'project, Of outstanding
the inhabitants Of the moon!
If these lines, should happen to fall into the
hands Of the mdividuafwho wrote the article
relative to the erection Of the new Theatre in
Cincinnati, they will inform him, that we do
protest agains: his positions; and thatif we con-
sidered his hypocritical winnings sf suffi cient
consequence tomerit..a distinct reply,we should
stop to prove to him, that thousand benefits
are derived from Theatre, which are admit
ted and realized by all, who are not either
priest-ridden zeaots or the mistaken advocates
Of false theology.
The people of this country, by wise pro-
vision in our Constitution, are not subject to
the iron rod Of the church, and are left free to
manage their own affairs in their own way;
and they arc always prepared to repel the first
step Of encroachment that is made by those
who would establish Pontificates and Bishop
ricks, among freemen, and rule mankind with
the papal Mitre The people of this country,
are ready and willing to support the Church as
long as the Church keeps within its pale; and
they do so, with liberal and a fostering
hand But it is not right, it is not proper that
they should be abused by the church, because
they are disposed to give part of that money
), which theologans pant for, to the Drama nor
will they submit to such insults.
We do protest against the interference OF
the Clergy with ,he private affairs of the Laity;
and we do not wish any of their counsel or ad-
vice, to enable us to direct our own concern
ments; and if we build splendid churches for
them, and support them with prodigal hand
we certainly have right to expect, that they
will suffer US to manage our affairs, as we shall
deem most proper, nor undertake to tell us,
in what way we shall dispose of our money
The laity of this country, acknowledge no
'dictatorial inquisitor; they act for them.
selves, and manage their matters as best
suits them.
GA CLERGYMAN" In the manuscript oil
" A ACLERGYMAN"w we recognize the hand Of