The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-09-13
GRAND COMPLEMENTARY TESTIMONIAL To
Ma. RICHARD DORSAY OGDEN,
AUTHOR, MANAGER AND ACTOR.
CORRESPONDENCE.


RICHMOND, September 9Th, lS64
X d. 0ydea. Esq.
Sir At the present moment there is felt through
out tins community an earnest desire to eyince the
hsh sense entertained OF your Jealous, Intelligent
ar'luous and successful efforts Manager of the
New Riehnond Theatre, Among those influenced
by this feeling very many who, at the outset OF
your managerial career honestly doubted if it was
within the range OF any mans capacity to so adjust
the arrangements of the drama here, that an esab-
llshnent devoted to its interests could escape the
dangers OF the present the runous reproaches OF
the past. Very few, indeed hoped that a whole
some impetus could be given to the good work you
undertook, in the face of the formidable oaf.ard
obstacles sprnging from the distracted condition of
the times and the serious anes disorders which
neglect, or less excusabe Causes were believed to
have clustered the very heart of sch institutions
III this part of the world.
But, sir, you reSolutely worked on, undeterred
by the one class OF impediments and determined to
eradicate the other not to leave, If possible,
the scInblance OF It's shadow to remind the most
skeptcal Of the evils that Were heretofore vainly
deplored by all. III the first case, you exhibited
patriotic reliance the public spirit, which reflects
credit on your sagacity; and. in the other, most
Comnendable appreciation of public deeorum that
does honor 10 your integrity.
Persuaded that, in the fourshing existence Of the
Richmond Theatre We not only to you what the
most competent judges have pronounced an indis-
pensabc public acquisition )" but that 1t is to You
indebted for the elevated character to which,
happily 1t has at length attained satisfied that you
have, throughout it, been the means, not only of
solaclng thousands of our weary soldiers, but Of
distributing among their hospitals and authorized
refugees most material comfort from the very funds
that had already obtained them edification and
teltainment- assured that you have not only
rescued and preserved the good fame Of the Drama
heie, but that, III having done so, you have been
instrumental III shielding the morals and guarding
the health of many hundreds who, without this IN
vItlng and beneficial check, would inevitably have
sought dangerous and dcmoralizing cxcitements,
actuatel by sentiments such rs must naturally flow
from knowledge of the services thus hurriedly all
luied to. aud others of kindred character We beg
OF You to designate the 6aI hest convenient day for
your acceptance Of a Complimentary benefit.
We offer you sir, this tribute not simply in our
own names, but, presunhng On our intimacy with
Its Wishes i'll the name of great majority Of the
community 1T large
While We aru aware that there many las there
have have ever been, and there will ever be,
whom nothing could induce 10 directly counter anoe
the best-oIdered theatrical establishment that ever
was, gratitied to be able to assure YOU that
there some most cStlm2ble gentlemen, even Of
that class who do not hesitate to express y mrlhy
With, and confidence ill., your wcildfected etfoi Is to
render that which Is "a confessed necessity 1t
healthy channel of pubic enjoyment, and not the
valve ot impurities they had feared ii might be-
These assurances of It wel-won public esteem as
theatrical manager, and the invitation which leads
to the only practical mode within power ct
manifcstlns il, Will, trust, convince yoI, that
your uhtemtting and prosperous struggle 10 accom-
pllsh all YOU attempted as Manager has. at least
not been watched with indifference nor Jon.ui tU
the disappointment Of li-ap appTerI;itlou