Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-07
.AntI.slavery Prejudiees lone OF the signs OF
the Times.

Mr. Dion Bourcicault recently produced his drama OF
the Ocoroon 10 L,n6oa aud the reception it met does
not appear to have convinced the author that English
philanthropy, a. directed towards negro slavery entire
~ dsnteresed very sincere. His letter to the Lon
don Timer, following the first representation Of the play
:, interesting as an EDgishmlns comments upon the
antislavery sentiments of an English theatrical audi
epce In his letter to the Times Mrs Bourcicault re"
marks
In your criticism on my drama tho octoroon. 1t is
stated that the reception Of the oh act in which the
slave girl commits suicide in order 10 escape the en-
braces Of her purchaser contrasts strongly with the en-
thusaic applause which had the first four
ACTS OF, the play.
The QUESTION involved in these few words Ia not one
of merely tie craft ofthe play wright candidly ad
nit that your estimate Of public sympathy as expressed
last night s as Just as it is mex pcabe. Since the Uncle
Tom mans, the sentiments Of the English public upon
the sttect Of slavery have seemed 10 be undergoing
great Change; but coqfess that not prepared to
ud that change so radical as il appeared 10 be when
the experiment was tried upon the feelings OF msce
aneous audience MayI claim your attention to this
dew Of Ssubject fraugbt with mich serious interest
A long residences 10 the Southern States Of America
Had convinced me that the delnatons 10 "Uncle Toms
Cabin" the condition Of the slaves their lives and feel
ings we're not faithful found the slaves asa race,
happy, gentle kipdy.trested population and the re-
tran upon theirEberty slight TO be rarely per-
btpibie. visitor TO Louisiana, who might expect to
ind his vulgar sympathies aroused by the exhibition OF
corporal punishment and physical torture would be much
,apoointed For my part with every facility for OBJ
seryntion never witnessed any treatment whatever,
Of the seryie class; the contrary the slaves are IL
general warmly attached to their masters aud to their
homes aud this condition Of things have faithfully de-
picted.
Bat behind AL this there are features in slavery far
4 thaua 4
human cxecration by the side Of which physical suffer
ing appears az vulgar detail Some Of these features are
io tive first tune boldly exhibited in the 0coroon. The
audiences htlei with every mark Of enthusiasm the sun
nv views Of negro life; they were pleased With the happy
relations existing between tho slaves aud the family OF
which they we're dependent, and the hearuaess WIZ
which the slaves sold and checred the planters who
bought. Bot when tie 0ctoroon girl purchased by
the Iuanly eyerseet become his paranonr, her sui
cideo preserve berpurity provoked no sympathy what
ever Yet few years ago, the same public in the same
theatre witnessed with deep emotion the death OF Uncle
Tom under the lsh ad accepted the tabeau OF the poor
old negro hs shr5 stained vith the blood from his lsce-
atSd back crawling across ts stage, and dying In slow
torture.
In thedeah OF tie Ostoroon lies the moral and teach
iug.of the whole wotk Had tha. gill Oeen sased anc
The dana brought to happy end the horrors Of her
posi- irremeabs from the very nature Of the inst'
don Of slavery would subside into tbs condition oil
temporary guEoysCce.
Willis admit uOst fully the truth Of your statement
that pu6c was die poiaed With the termination Of
the nav and would have bsen pleased with happier ls'
sue feel strangely beWier,d such Ghange Of feel
irg. HaS public ssIiipenG ia this county ses:ed so
dImetrcsy this SUBJECT end is it possible thai this
straw indicates that the feeling OF the Eassh people is
taxing another courses j..
Yours. respectfully
DION BoUR0ICAULT.
: Hereford House; Nov 10.