The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1865-12-04

IN prr4Yfo ptvgw. SIMMONS.

hdt0r of Daily Empire,
/ IA DEAR SIR' Hnrlpst Mondays Journal
a scurrllous article, written by the Rov. Mr.
Simmons was published. The editor of the
Journal has refused to publish my Cor any)
reply to the reverend gcntleman's article
Deeming II but an pct Of justice that those
M grossly misrcprcscnted aud abused
should have AN opportunity to be heard,
hope this reply may be published in the
columns of the EMPIRE. The reverend
gentleman appears to be totally ignorant
of the Drama and It's votaries, or else infiu-
eneed by an intolerance varying from, and
totally Incompatible with the true spirit OF
religion. The Drama needs no defence (.
The record of'the' past, and the history of
our own age proves noble vindication of
an art, whose origin can be traced, anterior
to the christian era; an art at whose shrine
many Of the grandest intellects of all pro-
fcssions have bowed; an art adorned by the
productions of giant minds, such as Soph-
ocles, EuTypides, Shakespeare, aud his CO.
temporary authors of the Elizabethian era
Specific, Schiller and Korner the poet war;
rior of modern Germany, with many others
of the past and present age, whose memo
rles will exist in the hearts ofal who love the
pure, the noble, the refined beauties of art,
until time shall be no more. The reverend
gentleman expresses fear for the spiritual
welfare of this community, II that horrible
establishment-"the theater'-be suffered
to remain within the limits of this city. Is
it not very singular that the pernieious in
fuences of the Drama have passed uunoticed
for centuriesy We know that many Of the
ablest Divines, have not only been admirers
Of but liberal contributors to the acting
Drama It's TO be regretted that the rev
erend gentleman lives in an age of civilizh-
ton; for the Drama has always and will
continue to advance with mans onward
progress. The most religious community
need not fear the Drama; rs il serves, not
only to enlightcn,but amuse--to lash the fol-
lies and applaud the noble acts ofman. We're
II not for the blind bigotrv OF those who Mt
tempt to crush the Drama, aud denounee
Its representatives, IL could be made great
moral hover, in injunction with the pul-
pit in reforming the tollies and vices of the
age.
The reverend gentleman expresses his
opinion that none but an actor was found
base enough 10 murder our late lamented
President. shame shame! shame That
HhNh uh hiJN9i" Nhouiu IHu Hi~
terance from the lips of q minister of the
Gospel. Did the mere fact of Booth being
an actor cause him to commit so hellish an
aetg Who were his accomplices p They
were not actors. He stood alone, abhorred
---detesteds by the ladies and gentlemen of
the profession. | dcnounce the gentleman's
article as an insult to one of the most lib
eral professions, many of whose represen-
tations have proved their devotion to their
country upon the field of battle, in tile
death-dealing prison-pens; or like some
blest spirit IN mipistering 10 the wants OF
the wounded hero, asAhe lay far from those |
" nearer and dearer yet than all Others" |
No class of people more sincerely regret |
ted the cruel and cowardly assassination oil
our late lamented President, or more deeply |
eNecrated the assassin, than the members oil
the theatrical profession. What ChristiC,il
right has the reverend gentleman to Judge |
any person, or TO assume the right to divine |
the feelings of any particular class ofmeng |
If the public would but visit their condem- |
nation upon whole class for the crimes OIL
individuals, IL Is very evident, Mr.. Editor, |
that the Clergy would very soon. most |
earnestly eHclaim, "llold enoughln |
Yours and the Public's Obt. Serv't. |
"a HOWARD kEYsER, Actor. |