The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-04-29


.sronsS As learn from others-for have very small
DUsona experenceyou might graduate the approaches
Q absoste spssness OF words aud mouo'is-irom very
psnose 20 quite satisfactory. any rate, encouraging
ssrpess tn standard Of true morality, by observing
o. character class Of the audiences who support the
varsus theatres Of New York am assured by Christian
xenihmen that the principal theatre in that city is
free from reproach OF impery OF leversnc. as me
partial relaxation Of the code which has ex iulird
moral worth and sobre,y from the theatre has
enected this partial reform? Does not progress
10 only this dlrecton2 And il is because Of
e abundant proof from all quarters that progress is
making, that have been encouraged and co.npcied
become a aborer in this Geld. But il IS hnpos-
sole 20 read the accounts OF the stage, the pos the
phys, without pcrcevng how urgently the theatre
h need Of graver consorshpof the fear and of the
pert OF a wiser, thoughiuland more solid portion Of
M people do not suppose even now that the theatre
n the character OF III plays, is at all than much of
u literature which finds its way mreproved into our
Drors aud bedrooms and may thank The indulgence
. sickly appetite for French els. fer the popularity
81 the prur'ent, morbid and undermine drama OF the
Ifsnch school, which, because decent in words, the
Innocent do not perceive to be indecent conception and
aebauching in ts main drift II needs Christian ntei-
aence. sure, arm, moral instinct recognize and fifty
characterize much OF the nsidous poison and fascinating
soyrupuon of the stage But truly believe that dozen
men on unquesoned purity, hrgoness and elevation Of
o1ne, could at single representation make impossible
~ such plays the late allrmingy popular Camille
with others OF It's class 10 be rcheard by no means
sertain that their authors impure or intend wrong.
But they write wrong and mschevous theories, and
the1r works performed wrong and mischievols
sbeoriss. Entire and unanimous reprobation must be
Hxed this whole school of plays and the great genius
which has helped Ia elevate them 10y her surprising
mast be kindly entreated and encouraged b. seek noblcr
hnse in better and more permanent field OF acting.
Thousands are panophcd in innocence and escape the
wrong from such plays but the last restraints which held
sSers on the brink OF ruin are oosened and they follow
NJ fascination into the pit of destruction Ought the
oy, the fathers, the professors. The learned w'e and
responsible men Of this community, To be lending their
screaming and Christening presence, their supervision and
fragment 10 elevate and improve place OF resort VIII.
0eH children their pupils their conpanos their parish
hners, Will at any rate aendg hesitate not To say clear
y they oughcven the expense Of being shocked,
akgusted!-clcarly they ought, from duty alone But
A&e away superstition and fear OF reproach, they
USuh require 10 go from duty alone. They
would enjoy the relaxation which their presence purified
my would moderate by sharing a taste which IS made
sucsive by the eNclvcess IN when Is lnduged, and
matory passions to which appeals let great
wsrss Sterling comedy or so mn Tragedy! h9id me stage,
the deeper emotions, satisfied 10 to full, would
hi tickling OF the sentimental nature, which makes
80 had play only Great" morbid appetite for anoher and
vhsh carries many In most harmful excess. Ca
every account them the monitors and guides OF the people
sAould share their amusemens, when not sinful in them
selves Their wees they may Lot share nor partake
and pleasures they may and ought You need
tell me that the silent remonstrance the settled
oo hich the absence of the religious class from its
give 10 the cyy and immortality Of the theatre
It's most ehectual and only christian checks. |
pepiy that these have proved utterly ueie,tual-nay
reacted upon the church and public norals-that
TIE theatre is the better for this fro and The
sb1rch much the 1t affects only the face that
u Besides, positive influence is thousand times
powerful Ia negative. One good going the thea
Ire DOES more good than hundred good men who stay
sway can dol believe is Mrs Mowa, who states. in
Der Recnectons Of the Stage that shc has known The
aodsn discovery by the management, OF the presence If
u
sodtenes chasen and qualify the whole performance; 81
kDcng roadry. repressing nuendo and putting the whole
company their good behavior: aud the managers OF
0eaues N New York directly confirm the fact. as proved
1y th.r experience What might not ho expected ami
ssran presence Of small proportion Of known and posi-
frenos OF purity, and deccncy. the thea
~, 10 change what Objectionable in the whole cha
yarer o. plays and playersthe spirit and temper of the
tssairep
come now finally n tho consideration Of tho influence
~ the theatre the dramatic profession ITSELF which was
n nav or ginai intention the main purpose uf this address
~ having 20 long talked heads Ia the religious
ssnmunty but il really been in your behalf and ,er.
yice; and promise 20 conne myself wholly ia
znans your more immediate case
Is PROFESSIONALLY true, that the exclusion OF thc
SAeatre from the sympaihies Of large and command
Ihs portion of society, reprobatng immoral and
dangerous, has exertcd most unhappy and injurious
Annuence upon the dramatic profession. Make any
saIhng csrepuLlbepronounce aud maintain II TO be,
ordinary circumstances, disqualification for general
sscietyhod Il in constant aud steady association with all
ne wees OF the senses-and you have done an you
dsuaae It's tone and render IL really dangerous and
worthy Of suspicion. II all surgeons were suu compelled
. be BARRIERS, and hold ia the rcpute Of
barber, you what The probable state at that
vreS.ss ,on would be. Were the English clergy vi The
hwer grades sun everywhere pl' below The salt, and
ssnked among The upper servants Of great houses, as Ma
ssoty shows us they were even IA The i'm" ot James IL,
0ey would continue the scrvs and sensual b0ly they
Ghsn Were butchcrs st made Incapable Of serving
tsrss when he at stake because Of The alleged
cruelty OF their trade aud nature thcy wVud probably
trfy their reputation for crociy, ID only
q The silly injustice Of the Law. While ether professions
- eaJhngs and hong regarded with Suspicion, have
ytr~n public odium yours. members of lie drt-
nsne profession, has suffered tho mot obsnaic AMI
cruel reprocaiion Almost every .nduccinont which
sssy could orr 10 lead discreet orderly and
Bver has been taken away from player. Not Cay the
yrhr,cus bot the lrrelgous world have h. VI tho % y,
sEss OF person. who, have adopted thcr ealing,
D. hot self respect and 10 pursue , mus abandon AL
vretens,ons virtue Outa.ts from IA" church, social
psrtabthe very Jews and GyI~lcs Il Christian yihz
oon-what could sustain any class at the average
hasb OF human WORTH under disabilities cNtrl3rdi
pxy and degrading When transccud' ut genius AM
- raFes, social gifts have enabled "a few b. climb
~ harrcr which has excluded their cs~- from oC,y
very grounds &c their reception have added nohmc H.
&c rseV-ctAhhy OF The general h0dy AMI ofarci no ia
.on,cnt the moral oorts of the r,et Nj worth but
Dsauty and genius have accumph-b, The yicUry, aul
aAss' are neither moral nor Iomntlry indeed uoc
s~tbnnal manner in which the dramatic rruf,s las
treated the capr'cios and arbitrary node M wliah
tpv puals who could bring brlhaucy beauty. wit into
aeu..rI society, have been lifted the fence under
wetDded respect tor leir worth, but really IS sc-h d.
sdue their company the ooesi-lol ii' flnurigo 81
mp acuess with Dobleman; The adolaion and v ting "f
fzvorns--si this generosity 20 iy "a the cNen-c f
~s,ss 10 al. has added o. the injury aud 30 te rcrils as
- PROCESSION What your profession nssl. aui claims
3, recognzrd legitimate and honest calling chris
0.n evillzira: not inherently essentially wrous;
IN amy separate arbitrary fo0iingoneNmoug e other
ps-ps~able aud responsible vgsaiioi-. ia which every
-mter h 10 stand or rl ON IA. indi, hi,l -
sAarac1r be scanned and scrutuilcd A. much - ot-
,on' and more, and m worth and cans as cI'rac
OR distinguished from has worth anil chains - astr,
p.essly ~ e - IN every prOi,ssion l-'-de \ - u q. %
= always q cord lawyer. nor a -tpi hWy' u co"t
nan good man b not al~sysa god actor, NJ SOL
sssaw good man.
. prs-urss va would not deny lhai yours wa q Ian.
seseos pro--s sai sruns. shall If"'uty how,
- thc moral natnrc-ai1 foi' 81 o'i- 40 10 tNl-Ht'
ssS have rrm o. sNsi, that any 81 "a" moral 1.rf
nd status which DE l.tiicts trade lsas sctuIy PIT
z~p Won the world shall ovcris.S n spu calm, ia
wsT<r self respect you nut claim. thc ordf-ir, iToc-
40 Of Christian socicyile rc-esabh.n NJ a. l'ur ~
sal rSon on tho same level With ots'r tsl do ~
o. sarns recUrnyo your amsnahcf~ss b. te mural
~aasafuc and Judgments which they consent o.
s~supe -Ni W ed BY uhapTy uuu-ty. your iauh.
and laIlss your and yancs, are u1t Tow judged
wsh severity thuse ~ oi,r men aud Nun
NJ IN, aarradng reason that you con-siorud % have
abandoned moral ground hfe, n the very adrion
tafff.r ar from
.ral rectuds purity and force or far b.tr from settled
pvtDripse, 20 b. sIse character, " - Ikln 20 IN
rse az surprsc, whrh y iu uuu- and Injurious b.
- t~ofesssnn than IL Is r,c0rui1ad At all What
Anand tor you, m the II Christian brotherhood
snsd universal morality, complete rstUraiou The
~r~ppou right and pru;sstson M 4oclcty.
vsnr calling lawful calling; lawful, that 9 IS the
srxeresse 81 prov .cna gins and tlouts for te craifa
sx and well brinV 81 sorey--aaotra divine ordsr-lla.
b.