The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-04-21

land Lee.
The Church and the Stage.
In another column we give report of the
Dramatic Fund dinner with DR.. Bellows speech.
This is not the address to which that gentleman
made reference in his letter; the address, which
is said to be somewhat lengthy document, will
be delivered on some more convenient occasion
than . banquet Meanwhile, the speech provides
us with foretaste of the more elaborate compo-
sition which is to follow it.
DIR. Bellows thinks it an error that actors and
actresses have been struck from the roll Of 60
oiety, and forced to associate with each other as
though they were not fit for the companionship
of other people. He proposes to remove this
unjust ban by taking the earliest steps to repair
the mischief at its origin, and elevate the pro-
fession by purifying the stage.
Dr. Bellows is man Of too much good sense
and experience to be unaware that there is
foundation for the aversion which quiet people
feel for the theatre and for the dramatic profess
sion. That foundation is the indefensible icen-
tousness of the stage. 1t will not do, when
prostitutes are being represented on two out of
every three stages, TO tell us that this lceutious
ness is thing of the past, that it dates from last
century, that the profession are ashamed of it
We see, on the contrary, that it is becoming
more and more an essential part of every new
play and that those plays are most considered
by the profession which contain the most filth
The first character which every aspirant to the
highest hoDors on the American stage, Of late
years, has endeavored to represent is that Of Ca
mile, an unfortunate woman, without redeem
ing trait but her merited affection; and the &C
tress whose success has been the most marked this
season. has been Miss Heron, who represented
this unhappy creature to the life. The public,
then, must not be stamped upon and sneered at
as bigots, because they will not know actors and
actresses, or habitually frequent the theatres
they have good reasons for what they do.
But is this the whole question: Are we to let
these loose and idle men and women secure to
RIGHTEOUSNESS a monopoly Of our theatres, sim
ply because that sort of thing quits them, and
haply takes the place Of wiz with portion of
the publics We do not think SO nor does this
eminent clergyman, Mr.. Bellows, To whose course
among us we now desire to draw attention.
II strikes him, no doubt, as well as others, that
the clergy and the very respectable classes have
pursued very easy and comfortable course in
regard to the theatreA The former, Ia calm
comprehensive manner, have simply damned
the entire dramatic profession, and some Of the
more severe Puritans have thrown in the entire
body of theatre goers a. we'll. After they were
damned, of course nothing more could be done
for them so the clergy severely abstained from
noticing them, and went on their way, preach
ing and praying, as though the Almighty would
never hear Of the theatres unless the clergy hap
pened TO mention them. Mr.. Bellows. seemingly,
apprehends that the dignifed silence of the clergy
has not injured the pecuniary success of the thea
tres, or deprived them of popular support; while ii
undoubtedly has deprived them of the wholesome
restraint which even in the most depraved society
the presence Of Clergyman Is apt to create. He
perhaps thinks that the actresses are not 50 over
whelmed with contrition, In consequence Of the
stern denial Of recognition by the clergy, as it
was doubtless intended they should be; and he
may imagine that were these poor girls rendered
friendly hand, admitted to our homes, not con-
stanily reminded Of their fanced social inferior-
ty, not exposed every day to reproach and in
sult they might even refuse 10 play such parts a.
Camille, or be made the instrument Of soiling the
mind OF the pure young creatures Of their own
sex We have no authority to speak for Mr..
Bellows, and know no more OF his views than the
other persons who have read his letter; but be
may entertain opini ons such as these.
Whatever his sentiments may be, the stand he
Is now taking on behalf of tho0ke atres Is manly,
generous, and worthy Of a great heart Let him
persevere TO the end. We have no doubt but be
will be abused by the religious newspapers 1t
is their function in the economy OF this world to
capat whatever is progressive, liberal and hu-
mane, and Mr.. Bellows must not expect to es-
cape them. But the great mas of the people Of
this country the classes who neither like bigotry
nor dirt who want TO enjoy the theatre as they
enjoy every other intellectual luxury yet who do
not wish 70 see the minds of the young corrupt
cd by the representation Of unchaste scenes and
vile characters in fine the common sense people
Of this nation from North 10 South will applaud
Mr.. Bellows for the manliness and justice OF the
stand he is taking