Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-10-14
From the Rising Sun.
THE nRtMi.


Even if we felt disposed to admit that the
Theatre was a source OF the corruption imputed
to it, VIC could not by any means allow that the
ThespanS Corps was such neither can we adj
NIT that the patrons in toto, of the Theatre or
Thcspiap Corps arc to be pl,ccd upon an cquali-
/. ty with those of the constant attendants at the
gambling saloon and the Grog Shop, or that
they would stand by with folded arms and see
the last vestges Of religion destroyed, without
raising an arm to resist. No, we cannot admit
any such wholesale clialgcs-such sweeping
declarations. Nero, it is said, fired tue city Of
Rome, and played upon an instrument while
gazing at the con1agration. But few men are
like Nero. There arc hundreds and thousands
of men who visit the gambling saloon and the
grog Shops that yet would buckle on their ar
mour-likc the knights Of olden time-and
fight valiantly in defence Of religious rights and
religious freedom.
There are high toned gentlemen, and refined
ladies who visit theatres, that would scorn to
darkcn tho doors of the gambling saloon..or grog
shop. Men who are learned, intelligent, brave
and honorable. Ladies who are claste, amiable
and virtuous and who derive from it lessons OF
experience ard wisdom
There is, VIC conceive, a vast difference be-
tween the gambling saloon, the bar room, and
we'll conducted theatre. The first are places
where vice is king, where crime is common,
where hate, malice, revenge, murder, wretched-
hess and misery stalk in living reality. Where
the base and pcrycrScly wicked, delight to COIL
sregatc. Where not sentiment is uttered
not 4 thing is presented that is calculated to
impress the mind fyorably or bcnefcially. 1t
is the downward road to ruin. Ali, all is COR
rupting, enervating and t!cblsng The theatre
is different 1t has some rcdecming qualities.
Tt affords us a renovated picture of life, n COM
pendulum OF whatever is animated and interest
ing in human existence. Here arc uttered
striking sentiments, thai can arouse the ener-
GIGS, elevate the mind, call forth tho lofliest as
prationS, and excite tic purest emotions.
plutarcll relates that Dyoni:us, tyrant Of Syra-
cusc, Oh seeing acted tragedy OF Sophocles,
was 50 much Inoycd that he prccipitalely left
the theatre; and that on being asked the carSe
uf lis sudden departure, he replied: "Would
it not have been dSSraccful thing if | who
have remorselessy slain so many Of my subjects,
should now bc seen weeping over the sullerngs
OF fictitious hero"
Even the stern Crabbe says:
g Yet virtue owns the tragic mu"c p friend,
Fable her nlean.-nlurity her end
She makes the vile to virtue yield applause,
And own her sccp,re while they break her laws.'
And though it may occasionally produce evil,
vet in tic gambling saloon and the grog shop, it
is nothing but evil, evil, evil continually.
Look round-lhcr wrecks behold
Estates disnembcrd' murtgaged sold
,~a Their owners now tojails .eenlinsd ...a.-.--
Show equal poverty Of mind"
Thcspians Corps, We contend, are placed on a
different footing in comparison with regular
theatre. As Atheneunls, Debating Societies,
Exhibitions, Lectures, they are gotten up by
young men for the purpose Of mental improve
mcnt and instruction. The gambler and the
drunkard are never To be found its efficient MEM
Lcrs-it is out Of their line. Why then should
young men be deprived Of this rational plan
Must they abandon it because there is said to
be evil existing? What is there attached to
man that ,locs not bring forth evil? Men talk
as il the Theatre and the TheSpan Corpse are
the only places from whence evil can originate.
| Where corrupt men assemble, and were wicked
ness ahountlS. With all due respect we ask: if
at the religions associations and campmcetings
which are held for the purpose of doing good, if
no wicked lncI assemble? Ii there is no drink
! ing of liquor? If there is no ihnl@in" III al
mGst every species oi vice? Do they produce
all Good and work no evil We opne not? TO
free ourxcl.es from evil, we must pass from this
stage of action to Il happier and better world.
What is more praiScworthv, more deserving
Of ccnrmcrtlation, than cn;cavo-S to store the
mini with useful knowledge ard yet the spirit
of Puritanism prevailing, is against everything
that conflicts with its Errow views Rational
and instructive rccrcaticns are damned, and
men are rcG,iirc1 to inlct UPON themselves 'la-
" rcnancc and to become monks, rigid and
arsicre. THIS is highly contrary to the natural
lrHcity Of tho creature man, and consequently
to the wisdom and goodness Of the great Creator.
Man is being whose nature is such that he
requires relaxation and amusement as well Tor
fiS mind, as rest and exercise for his body. All
nations, in all ages, lad their games, their eXer-
ciscs. their snorts. The refined Crccian, the
warlikc Roman the luxurious Persian, the un-
tutored Savage hal and have their respective
wavs of recreation. 1t is indiSpensably necessary
for health happiness and peace. The warrior
becomes sated with deeds Of blood The States
man with concocting plans. Tie Philosopher
with dcvising schemes. The professional man
with his artluous duties. The mechanic with
his constant labOur and toll. They seek for
something by which they can retire Tor Willie
from those stcrner duties and relieve for time
the anxicties and cares Of the mind.
Is it not then far preferable to have some
rational mode to present to their view Some
means by which they can be gratified without
having recourse TO tic srog shop, the gambling
saloon, and the billiard table; whore vice is en-
hibited in all its protean shapes; where the
| mind is corrupted and the morals dcbased. Is
- ,,o+ bottor flat tl,n Drama ShUuld be uDlcl
That Theatres and Thcsl,ian Corps should be
supnortcrl anu encouraged. For here virtue is
sustained and vice meets with its proper reward.
But why need we rhil6sophi-e on the ncces-
sitv Of recreation and amusement 1t is so;
and doubling Thomas cannot controvert it. 1t
is dagucrreotyped on the pages Of history; it is
illustrated in the actions OF man, from the klng
upon his throne to the boor in his humble cot.
There arc those 1t is true, who seem to have
forgotten in their ascetic notions, that man was
horn to cnioy rational amusement. They have n
gloomy cast of countenance, 4 jcSuitical spirit, a
sauctiinonious form Of manner, thought and
tunc They arc icchergs drifting in the realms
of tropical luxuriancc and beauty, freezing and
vithcrinr every thing around. They arc dis
posc,l to crush and light the hopes and innocent
Measures of the most cheerful and lively. They
assume SUPERIOR wisdom. They wrap around
them the garments of dignity. They set down
they taik-thcv get up with dignity. They
eat and they breathe with dignity. They rail
at everything that is not darh, dingy, sour and
aayrosp, for it is nothing clSc). They forget
flat tley were yorng-or rather hate to think
Of it. They scoil at the animation, flowing
shirts. livciiness and freshness of youth They
strive to mike them assume the coldness and