The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-19
Tn. Great. Absorbing Question or ihe

Day.
There are q considerable number Of ques
tons which now perplex the public mind ON
both sides of the Atlantic. The Mexican ques-
ton, the Brazilian question, the question be-
tween Spain and Chile, the Fenian question In
Ireland, the question as to whom we are to
consider the President Of the Irish republic in
America, tho question whether there be any
Irish republic anywhere, the negro suffrage
question, the question raised by Brother
Beeoher as to the existence Of Hades, the cur
rency question, the question in regard to the
status Of the Southern States, Napoieon's ques-
ton as to the future of Belgium, the question
Of the admission OF Southern delegates to Con-
gross, the question as to whether or not the
anti-slavery amendment to the constitution Is
adopted, the question Of municipal reform, the
question Of the operatie head centre Of this
country, the question of the New York Col
lectorship, the free trade question, the question
of what side the Chevalier Raymond is
going to take next, the question as to
the Chevalier WikoHss real mission TO Europe,
the question whether Juarez is or Is not the
-
most prominent Of tho issues now discussed.
Before Oily Cannon packed up his tree and
ship and went or to the country with a stage
carpenter for his leading artist, there was
very interesting question pending in connec-
ton with the opera, and all the papers were
moro or less full of it. But now the great, alb
sorbing question, which throws all others into
the shade and agitates all classes and condi-
lions Of men and women, is whether Joyce
Heth in breeches Is TO have silver plate pre-
scented to him, with letter complmenting
him upon tho energy he displays in combating
his difficulties, and the devotion to art which
he exhibits in manufacturing humbugs.
For our part we decidedly think that this
question ought TO be settled at once. There is
committee in existence, all ready to sign the
letter, and we have no doubt that the silver
plate recently offered TO Oily Cannon
can easily be borrowed for the occasion.
The precedent established by the laugha-
BILE presentation ceremonies at the Academy
catacombs makes the claims Of Joyce Heth In
breeches to similar vote Of thanks wholly
irrefutable. When we consider the matter
calmly we discover that the only proof
Of OILY Gammon's devotion to art is the num-
Der of artists whose voices he has destroyed.
Late advices from Europe inform us that Me-
dori has had to retire from the stage, and that
Frezzolini's organ is leaving her. In these IN
stances we see the lamentable effects OF sea-
son or two at the Academy catacombs. Free
zolini and Medori were fine singers once; but
they came here and their voices were ruined
Poor Revere is still another case in point, He
might have lived City years longer had not
Oily Cannon engaged him; but ne went TO
the catacombs, caught cold and died, martyr
to Oily Cannon and the vast Opera House.
Two or three Of the troupe that have just been
singing here were very excellent artists when
they first appeared. We remember them when
they had no cracks in their voices and sang
quite agreeably. Alas I who would have recog-
nized these artists among the squalling and
shouting horde that filed the stage Of the cata-
combs in The African and allowed the stage
carpenter to carry of all the laurels. Miss KEEL
logg Is another victim. She promised to become
q very fair singer, and she had followed
PATHS example and visited Europe she might
have caused almost an equal Juror, after q few
years Of study and practice In Italy but
instead OF this she chose to remain in the cata-
combs, and we do not perceive any increase
In her fame. Manager Grau's company is
convincing proof that there Is nothing La the
air Of this country deleterious TO good voices
His artists, according to competent critics, sine
better than when they FIRST arrived. But then
Grau has carefully kept them away from Oily
Cannon and away from the catacombs, and
this explains their present admirable con.
diton.
But to return to our Joyce Heth in brooches
and his silver plate II q number Of persons
can be found so inimical 10 artists as 10
attempt to reward Oily Cannon for destroy
ing them, why should not tho same persons
unite to do honor to Joyce Heth in brcechcs
who has originated combination TO crusl
out all kinds Of professional people, from the
actors on the stage to the musicians in tlle
orchestraf We have shown beyond a
peradventure that Oily Cannon has done
nothing In his line Of business which
Joyce Heth in brooches has not more
than equalled. II Oily Cannon has beer
amusing the public for twenty years, joyce
Heth in breechea has amused II for thirty years
If Oily Cannon has combated financial end
other difficulties, responsibilities and embsr
easements, so has Joyce Heth in breaches, as
witness his troubles with the Jerome Clock
Company. HOily Cannon has built al, imi! init.
ton tree and bogus ship, Joyce Heth in
brooches has turned out Feejee mermaid and
woolley horse, to say nothing Of the What i
its and the Circassian beauty. II Oily Gam
mon has published o book detailing his scrapcs
and escapes, Joyce Heth in breaches has moi
been behindhand in publicly coniessIng the