The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-05-23
DIR. BELLOWS ON THE THEATRE.

ministers Of religion are not justified in turning
their backs upon or gnoring Che Drama. but should
patronzc or encourage it, and thereby make it more
useful as great moral teacher.
| But, whatever the effect Of the theatre is
or has becn having nothing essentially wrong
in its principle, and having proved itself to be
in fact, what in theory it has already shown
| itself to be- the most attractive and permanent
of amusemcnts, fixed and indestructible fact,
it seems TO me that ayowed morasts and
Christian leaders and guides, have committed
grave and hnrtful error in their mode OF deal
ing with it. They have made the drama and
the stage answcrable for all the vices and fol-
lies which have gathered round them-a course
as unjust as to make the markets responsible
for the dogs and rats, the thieves and knaves,
sure to find harvest in that most irequented
and necessary place
| know it will be replied, that patience with
evils connected with what is necessary, does
not Justify patience with evils associated with
what is not necessary, that because commerce
makes dangerous life for sailors, We are not
to place the dangerous life for actors, which
the theatre produces, upon the same plea as a
great social necessity; and the vices and fol-
lies of trade, of religion Of domestic life, all Of
which are cardinal and necessary and natural
instincts OF humanity, do not stand at all upon
the same ground of absolute discountcnance
which the vices and follies of an artificial, un-
productive and unnecessary amusement occupy.
But there are various forms Of necessity, and
l am not sure that that necessity Of being
amused is not as fixed and fatal necessity as
that of being fed and warmed 1t is not nee
essary in the same sense, and yet it may be
equally necessity We do not commonly
I,,I, l,,obtar hn
saries Of life, alongside Of bread and water, fire
and shelter. Yet in broad view of social in
terests aud human requirements, they would
be found to rank with them, not in the same
class but under the same name of actual nee
cssaries of true heathful, and vigorous so
cial life. That may well be said TO be necessary,
which, age after age, and in precise proportion
to the influence of civilization and even Of
Christianity is found supported and sustained
in the very face of the church, and under the
formal ban Of religious society. That the the
atre has survived the usage it has received
from the papit and the moralist, exhibits at
least its wonderful vitality; and when we per-
ccivc that general censurc and Encouragement
have not the slightest effect either in putting
il down, or in improving ii, why do we not be-
gin to inquire what might be done by treating
it with candour and sympathy, to save its
uses, and correct its abuScs;-to turn its fasci-
nations 10 tie account of human happiness,
and detach it from the artificial associations
which are the real objects Of our suspicion and
dislike.
When consider that eight theatres, at
least, a.e open in this city for six nights OF
every week; that they are constantly frequent
III cd though in very different degrees, by all
classes of the community, except II portion o.
those technically styled professors of religion
that the tastes, morals, manners, and happi
ness of hundreds of thousands of people arr
affected by them for good or evil, to degree
which almost renders the theatre rival 0
the church, confess that the vastncss Of thi'
metropolitan interest is too serious an elemen
in our whole civic character and human pros
,t. poets, to make me willing to ignore it; Or, TIN
tlv hope of crushing it being preposterous, to al
~. low me to sit easy while it remains hostile t.
he morality or in open competition with religion
] must, for my peace's sake, see what OF goot
it is that gives life to this sturdy tree wlcl
70. has been so long stricken with the lightning
Of the church and still survives in grccnncss
Ia | must do what | can to direct the efforts o
he picty and morality against what is vulnerabl
in the theatre, that their arrows may no lor
aid ger be wasted upon its adamantine portions
on must slflVc 10 OBTAIN q truce between I'll
- theatre and the church, the dramatic worl
and the religious world, long enough for cal
40 did consideration Of their mutual causes {
nj jealousy and suspicion, their seated oppositio
I'VE and alienation; and endeavour, after all on
efforts to crush the theatre have failed, to g
the public and the dramatic profession to unit
vas with the moral and serious portions Of the con
aid munity, or what is more difficult, the moral an
Ih serious portions with them to reform the TIN
fu atre; to reduce it to its thcoretic, innocer
inc and benefccnt Office, to make it legtimat
interest and honest charm Of society, under II
smile Of virtue and the protection of religio
to These suggestions are not speculations.-
la They are based upon what is already bcgu
do and now going on. And it
BOD because Of the abundant proof from all qua
yer ters that progress is making that have bee
re- encouraged and compelled to become labou
has cr in this field. But even now, it is imp0ssib
J" to read the accounts of the stage, the plots
the plays, without perceivng how urgently Il
u theatre stands in need of grayer censorsh
re- t,n %, ,,,1 81 q of n uicf