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

demned. Perts temp ons not Of the nature Of
morally perous 10 eism on ha scSeuns sSS
larger charity than other OF other calhngsonly We
se C OF pvo %ss
periIous hfe chiey because il pubic fe public
life in every form Is trying 10 the character The actor
shares with the Politician the clergyman, the dangers of
career in which he is continually appealing tn masses
where he is object of interest to massewhere strong
temptations exist IN substitute immediate reputation TO
sefrespect and TO make me words aud skful manuvre
do the work Of sound PRINCIPLES and patient performa
OF duty Public life in all It's forms, is surrounded with
hatterers and fawners and tempted 70 The bargain and
change OF its opportunities for the opportunities OF Others
All men who live by the tongue, whether DO In the
terance of their thoughts those OF others whose
reputation and livelihood in the OF the public
greatly exposed men, and IL would be hong step in self
ledge if the members OF the clerical profession recog
pzed the fact that the seriousness OF their subject does
less than they think TO them from the dangers which
essentially belong to the talking vocatons. The Of
nsakng The glow OF composition for the tame OF ath or
me pleasure OIL uebg generous sentiments Tor the honor OF
holding them or natural sympathy with eloquent passion for
the courage and resolution OF good heart and e this Is
danger which rostrum, pulpit and stage may equally
share; and the consciousness Of which, confess increases
my sense OF fraternity with your calling And yet re-
mains soennly true, that your profession - dangerous
profession, however lawful and necessary be, and
sharing in respects its perils with others II Is pccu
lary open vanity, lsvity and sensualy-ore danger
Gus than IL need be- account OF the present state OF pub
lie opinonbut necessarily dangerous in any state Of pub
he sentiment Aiming To please and finding its chief IN
cenve the applause II nightly eXctes; peculiarly eX
posed u jealousy required 10 affect sentiments and per
senate characters not its usually in contact only with
and physical energies, conveniently ic by ar
fetal stmuans; working chiefly in the mig cllating
between long of leisure, and short lr Oh eX
cessve labor; at the mercy OF caprcous N ic her
very kind and there very cruel overpad in its vore
and undcrpaid in all who notspendid for stars
but dull for its stocks-what elements wanting make
your profession Of very singular moral trial. 1t nrl-t
not however he forgotten that has its own advantag
II is not addicted 10 cupidy, nor welded TO mean an
sordd habits 1t does not breed hardness Of heart and
hypocrisy of conduct II is free from cant, and sigl
ary exempt from the vices calling the police or III,
prS than
class far from being men of the world, in the bad
sense of that phrase they are usually persons Of more
simplicity credulty and generosity than Of knowing
ness, de,gn and seseekng Like sailors, more than
other people, their faults spring from the genial, chldke
weakness than Of wickedness Who, but unwoyldy
actor could allow his estate 10 be wasted by his trustees,
the English papers within few days report Sir William
Don 10 have beeny In these days, when society Is ridden
with The nigh, mare Of thrift and ungoiy greed Of gain,
forgving any vices that are economical and conducive TO
the public wealth, II Is not easy TO estimate all the moral
advantages which lovers of poetry and art and servant
of the drama, derive from their unproductve pursuits and
their essentially sefsaerifcing caings. But with these
allowances all made sll becomes actors and actresse,
IN understand and and consider the moral perks of their
craft and to recognize the deep need they have Of al the
safeguards which cultivated conscience and religious
faith throw about them II any class should be
puous observers OF the laws of temperance and purity,
students of sober literature keepers at home watchu and
observan, Of domestic ties practers Of great panness of
costume in their private walks, quiet IN manners and
fur seekers OF friendship and Intercourse with other classes
Than their own, II Is yours. Emphateaiy, any class
should be church goers tits yours. know you the
visible church little hanks but the gospel and public
worship DO not belong 10 is administrators; and Col and
Christ have not wronged, and Will not wrong Do
sacrifice your duty 10 your Maker your SAVIOR and your
souls, TO your indignation at priests and parsons
cannot conclude without q very serious word,
addressed 10 managers Of theatres here and elsewhere
GU have large class of persons connected with the dra
matte profession under your control and Influence besides
your regular and permanent companies the various
beers ofchoruses baets specce and underngs every
description understand that your powers necessarily
quite depoc: that YOU choose the plays that per
formed assign the parts and have the prosperity OF ind
ydua actors and attaches very much IN your own hands
l can hardly conceive position of more responsibility
than yours, in which more Of good and evil can be
done Fret in regard b the character OF the plays and
entertainments you furnish, You will hardly rise at
above the public taste, be wiser and better than the
community that supports But you viii certainly find
Tor your the long run TO exclude every kind
Of play or entertainment from your list from which
virtuous heart must reco at which innocent cheek
must b.h H. sure Won cain nothing by the grossness or
immortality OF the plays YOU present People Will 10
great talent and great dramatic uiumphs, in spite OF the
mdecency or ycousness OF the plots and Incidents but
they would 70 great deal more 10 genius and power
united with purity and truth take narrow, squeamrsh
view Of the range Of subjects proper for the stage; but
plays which make light Of moral distinctions, excuse
vice, reward crime OF rueue rehglon, are essentially
mis-, hiesous. and cannot bc defended anywhere. II
managers viii TO place themselves on the same oa'
oCue with p.rnI3, tEey have only 70 continue 10
quote The pubic taste as an apology for producing
immoral and depravins plays. MI honor Is due TO
those among them who strive 20 produce tho legitimate
drama. and know and believe that managers feel
andabe aud artistic loyalty TO their profession, and
make .acacs . he eXacios Of taste, p-oprcty and
purity. which The public 10 not sufficiently appreciate
on.r,at YOU con, der what influence you
r,s.s for GOOD or evil and not 20 refuse 10 co operate
with rising class Of moral and serious persons Who
aiiung 10 redeem and reform the stage.
But great ~ your Responsibilities are 10 the public,
know not that thy rot greater 10 tho persons you
pcy. II yea tyrannicl IN temper, loose ia morak
partial in admins IrlLon, unprncpled In pccunnry trans
u,ucns, Know no class "i men mat can o. grelsr Sp
pre.sor greater dpravcrs than the managers Of the
afrcs. Your power is ncccariy great-yo1r opporuni
ties boundc,-your example irrcstubc. You have the
living q young women NJ your mcrcy-ihc repn'a-
Ton of young actors IN your gilt Iou can ad.
vance your e., ontcs and clog your Objects Of
disGk.-rcaard tho Ylabe. and punish tho we'll
princitlcd. You IN establish rules Of stricteSt
deccncy and justice your domain, cr allow rsf, ioiy
aud ,c to reign there You can net as the aidcrs and
ahctiots oT wealthy outside making your theatres
hohcds OF hccnuouncsS and vice, or you may convert
them schoo Of artistic taste and moral culture sncc
ny interest n tbs subject has been known have been
made ID d'po-,ary u complaints and suppDcauons which
! VIII not repeat, because l am unwilling " believe.
Improvement in tie Internal management % the
aires IS now IN ITOsrcrs, and one most honor
able TO those who encourage II. certainly
make specific charge asa-i yoa important order
here 10 where Eat knowing peculiar orpor'n,
to- aud sNr-rencs-wh the character of your whole
profession your koepngl feel bound IN you OF
the absolute necessity of ~ ing above every temptation
And 80, gentlemen e the american Dramatic Flnd So
ris4v conclude my long addrc-s. wishing that hal had
tim. % make shorter and ls unworthy Of the cccon
heaven supported dct"rmuatcn 10 do an act Of pucc
and public duty could alone have overcome my recsncc
The more ruuor Of this address has already let bose thc
never too charitable tongue 90 The religious ross IN on
sure aud as-Iaragpin Nie ny cvurec NJ isfh inbfu
gently approved BY the secular papers. r-t neither
IA waste much iinc personal bhmc Or praise q M
but will rather devote themselves % an honest dis
cu-.in 81 the fundamental principles involved in
hss subject II 10 cannot be undcrst-o1 how n min
eter of Christ feel honest love for art, AMI
pleasure, aud the amusemcnE of the people, much
e~s a brotiary sympathy with actors as class,
shah wonder complain. Tho rrctiouirg q mo
tvcs and the nVntation ~ wcrhncss AMI lsvy
ported quite a. n matter " Bu firm tho love
aud conid II q wen tried, intelligent and sober
sutuency, J AN surely arord 70 wah ior la.toc.
ln The RAPID unfolding % the great drama ~ American
riyigtioniss pfiu, l sonC thls Capil cty-thc rar
has fallen o. show the rotation a biic anuscn MT
TO public morality and 20 claim for The -asc and
betJr position IN society.
In tho very depths &c my conscience have bcon I'm
u, lod o this Effort II has been honcsty made, in tn
fear ~ God and view OF udgnsrr N onrc Tat SOM
blessing 10 your profession, the drama, our country ad
nd sy follow H. can only be my humble befs ana
prayer
Political IntsiiiCt nee.
S-rf-yrrr-tpw IN LAVE EsoAcfp ~ SFBvLtr1os.-l