New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-11-07

flo roc, tb,t dramas intended 10 depict the evils Of
n.cTpcr,nce and win men to hablts OF industry and
oh,ie'v or 10 set in striking array the dc(ormtes and
- ~ Slavery in ccnUast with the beauties Of
Freedom have been repreee tied 10 some the4tcrs with
40 LsI,iifst moral fceuts. 4" U0clO Toms CABIN"
a. toll rs haa been play ed for weeks and months
c,tbnr in New York. Boston Phiiadcphi Baltimore
and Wa,hrCtoD, drawing immense crowd and thus
r.senting AntSavery truth, in the moot impressive
marnor TO thousands who were not likely 10 hear il
in Al other place II Is hlc eyed bv ntel rent persons
that thc spirit Of mobccracy n N~w.York and Phila-
dolpha was seDsibly checked by this means and
the tone OF public sentiment greatly changed
for the better. Ii this i, 50, 1t certainly AZ
fords reasonable ground for doubt whether il il
wise 70 wage an lDdscriuinae upon the theater.
The whole subject should he can5idlv and carefully
considcrtd IN The light of the principles above laid
down. Opinions, upon matter of 80 much conse-
queICc, should he cautiously formed and based not
upon preiuc ice but upon the clcarcst deductions Of
fact end philosophy. We must be careful on the
b6Id. 10 gl'e 10 councDance 10 immortality, and, on
the oifer no. 10 cOnfoud institution that may per-
chance be right in Itself with the incidental abuses
which baVe grown up around il. On point
a'e fully AGREED, viz that thesters generally,
conducted d, ought not to receive the support of the
friends oi morality.
BESIDE TIE three forms Of amusement already consid
eed, lhtre are ofhers Of sma Importance of which
we should be glad to speak but the limits OF this paper
forbid. For the most part, however they are OF such
character that they stand in far less need OF Discus
sion At this tine than those upon which have dwe
and beside object il rather 10 unfold the PRIScI
which should guide in the choice of our amuse-
meu's and to Indicate the SPIRIT which should under
all circumstances pervGdc them. than 10 enter upon
details wUich, however Interesting, may safely be
referred 10 the judgment Of individuals and cOmmun
ties. when once those principles are mud rstOOi. No
night y eGk Of Ho'id0US-the Fourth Of July, New
Years Dry, Harvest Home, Christmas, &c.-iheir
ard tie proper mode Of their Obs' of pic
mics 10 promote Tenn CGancc, Antl-Slaye:y, or some
other jfllautl roric or social obicrt--now 50 con-
non among US. and Which, Oh the whole, have
been found TO be exceedingly pleasant aud useful;
and 81 those moro private gatherings where rela-
tiyes or lrtnC- cone tOgcth~r-it NAV be upon
tie birthday Of dcarly loved boy maiden, the
sIniyerbry of a wedding fragrant Tith hottest rclnn
licences or If some other thrilling event Oi mestic
lc-tO strengthen those ties OF kindred family, home
and 1eielborhood which are not ouly tie sources
prrct earthly JOY, but the Dlvinclv ccnse alive
power of human society. We might speak, too, Of n-
ollt ctual culture wbich, in whatever field OF science
literature art may be pursued opens ct every step
sCurCes of amusement at elevated reft ed and
iIexhaustibc. We might rejoice ia the multiplication
Of ~ ceums, which offer a heatful stimulus not only
10 tie intellect but to the social feelings and also in
the institution Of Libraries in villages and neighbour
foods, BY meals OF which good books are made ac-
cesibc TO all casses the mi-ls Of ignorance aud prou
dice dipeIed, and society redeemed from the bghtng
influence Of gossip tdle-Gearing and dotracton aud
bound ioGc'btr by ties of amty affection, and good
fellow ship. Thesc are fruitful and inviting themes bat
these href illusions must suffice
We faye now uttered orr convictions frankly,
e,tly, sincerely. That they altogether free from
crrcr mistake il would not become to affirm; but
may say that tiutl has been o"ct-the highes.
welfare OF humanity our end and aim. God forbid
that, in our anxiety to sever the unnatural connection
between religion and asce'iCsn, should even SEEN,
for moment, to offer q license to scnsu9 pleasure,
en- leyity, sc0fng irevcrcnce untmeiy mlrth.
In our efforts TO deliver mankind from the indurang
power Of superstition and fanatiCsm, would not
make them triAcrs forgetfu of their immortal destiny,
unlnindfI that they
made Of Angel form erect,
To hold communion with The heavens above"
Such Il result indeed would overwhclm with
and alarm. five believed that such calamity would
follow this plea for amu-emcnts, nothing could tempt
TO set thereto our hand abd seal. No. no. 1t is not
to BIKE less religious, less rcveTentia Less devo-
ted, in the legitimate of those terms that We
claim for social pleasures the place in eur daily lite
which n benefcebt Creator evidently intended that
they should fill On the contrary, we would augment
the power Of pety by associating it with all that Is
br ght animLting hopeful and joyous thus making II
lovely and atrsctiN c in all eyes; while wouq in
sure the greatest possible amount OF happiness from
oInusements, and guard them against all abuses by
tomlering them with the Christening and purifying in
fueces Of religion. Animated by this spirit, sub
nit the rid these our cherished convictions conf