The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-02
consummation

Madame Parepa- -ROsa's VindiCatiOn.
THE action of the Ministerial Association of
Chicago in denouncing the theatres and the the
strical profession, and calling upon the press
and the legislatures to unite with the clergy
in an effort to suppress them has given rise to
a wordy war, in which many harsh things
have been said about actors and actresses by
pers ons who were not the best fitted by expe.
rience and knowledge to pass judgment on
their shortcomings. The many estimable
ladies and gentlemen who earn their living
by appearing before the public as actors and
singers have naturally been stung to the quick
by the unjust aspersions which have been cast
upon them and their calling. But more long
suffering, charitable, and patient than many
of their calamniators would be under similar
circumstances, the members of the theatrical
profession are generally content to let the
ISLANDERS pass by in silence, and to console
themselves with the good opinion of those
who are most competent to form correct
estimate of their merits. Sometimes, how.
ever, the voice of an actor or singer is heard
in indignant protest against injustice from
quarter where they had at least right to ex-
pect a large-hearted Christian charity for the
frailties of human nature, and a sincere and
earnest effort to find out the truth before in
dulgence in wholesale denunciation. Madame
Parepa- Rosa has written very feeling letter
to one Of the Chicago newspapers, protesting
in temperate and lady-like language, but with
feminine indignation and heart-swelling, ex-
pressed by plentiful use of italics, against the
aspersions which have been cast upon the
profession Of which she is an ornament by
some of the clergymen Of Chicago. She
asserts.that the gifts of voice and memory,
which are the actors and singers capital, were
conferred by God alone; and with pathetic
reminder of the disabilities under which the
members of her sex labor in obtaining remu.
nerative employment, she adds: GAS
ladies can earn so little in any
but public performance, it is very
hard that an honest woman should have such
terms applied TO her merely by being obliged,
through circumstances, to turn her talents to
account" Madame Rosa protests that it is
not right in any man, and particularly in
clergyman, to condemn a class he does not
know; and while asserting that women not
virtuous are the exceptions and not the rule
in the profession to which she belongs,
she gives the names of a number Of ladies', per-
sonally known to her, who are esteemed and
honored, and against whom slander has never
dared to utter word. As to not being re-
oeived into society, or amid the family circles
Of the best families in all countries, she asserts
that she has been welcomed everywhere, and
she believes her sister artists have had the
same experience OF not finding sufficient time
to spare from their avocations to accept all
friendly invitations received. Those who un-
dertake wholesale denunciation of the stage
and its followers, until the immoral
influences of the playhouse and opera-house
are proved beyond the possibility of dispute,
assume grave responsibility, the full extent
Of which they are evidently not aware. It is
scarcely to be expected that the publishers
and editors Of respectable journals in all
civilized countries would admit in their
columns day after day criticisms, often lauda-
tory, of performances theatrical and operatic,
if the theatres were the sinks of corruption
that some very good people seem to imagine
them to be. The editors and critics are not
all vagabonds any more than the actors, and
we claim that the voice Of the press is enti-
tied to as much weight in this matter as that
Of the pulpit, at least until the pulpit is as
we'll informed as we are with regard to the
merits and dement's Of the opera, drama, and
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