New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-01
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
PUBLIC MORALITY-THE DRAMA.


To the EdftOr Of The Tribune.
SIR: l find the following extraordinary senti-
ment in a professedly heightened and wOuldbe respect
able NewYork newspaper expressed in behalf of the
virtuous claims OF that somewhat Americanzed In
sttuton, ycept the ballet:
It may be right or ms wrong but for part think
when the divine the classical standards Is
perfectly picturesque thng aud nothing bat stupid envy
bowls anathemas against display We consider the ballet ADD the
eanan moral Influences developed By modern Civilization
1t NAV be that there are others beside this editor
though 1t is be hoped they exceedingly few and in
caloulaby far between-who also consider the ballet
and the can-can the finest moral Influences developed by
our modern CIVILIZATION" Opinions respecting clviiza
queer, say the least Partisan CIVILIZATION Tor instance
while possessing some admirable qualities, Wlch might
be introduced wish profit into other countries IS not ust
the thing TO be adopted whole here or where else
True, II IS civilization INTO when the lhttectuai ana
refining influences life enter largely but one which Is
mere than eounterbaahced IN lts ELECTS LOT sOo ~ 49,
unbOunded license given 10 vice ana immortality Lake Tue
serpent IL fascinaeS only 10 destroy aE Nheh bd9h
or eope loses its resuect for and abaudOns it, practice
Of morality its destruction IL sure ana speedy history
abOunds In numerous examples OF TINS klh1 ana IS Ges
tined ere long doubt TO be augmented by another
and equally striking companion pece-the gay ana gddy
forth not much account Of the semacetons para
graph already quoted, as from sober serious Iac nc
consideration OF which Is occupying the minds OF
thinking people, refer OF course 10 the present u
mOraiized condition OF tue drama IN tLls country IL
will readily be confessed that the stage very power
full motor in society Even tho strccst orthodox WIZ
admit its power for evil In It's legitimate sphere: ana
in the hands Of proper persons, II may become an
instrument OF ennoDhDg thought elevated eachhS ana
pure morality.
glance at the New-York theaters viii sufficiently ex-
plain my meaning when speak Of the present demoral.
lied condition Of the stage IT, s scarcely necessary 10
specfy I'm detail the indecent orgies and shameful expo
sures which for long time have been on public eNhl-
hilton at nearly all the theaters OF the city.
Reputable places Of Amusement have one after another
gone into the slough OF nastness sinking every other
consideration before the greed OF gold In word the
wOrstspeces OF vice and immortality have been fOstered
and encouraged either by open advocacy as nstanced
by the extract have quoted by that equally stimu-
lang silence which signifies approval manifested by the
newspapers but OF which, AIN glad 10 observe The IEIB
UHR has been an honorable exception.
The explanation OF this apparent Generalization OF our
theatergOeT Is not easy II results perhaps, more from
"a penchant for novelty among the sensatOn-hungerng
American people than from any marked vicious trait nj
ready existing At all events tins Is tho most hopeful and
charitable that be taken Of IT, The proper
ey for so great evil not less difficult to decide upon
Time when managers Of disgusting naked shows Of
this sort would have been sunmar!y arrest
ed and held to answer for their bcastli-
mesa along with the publishers and vendors
Of obscene publications. but 80 long as they are patron
lied by socaed respectable people and sustained by
called respectable newspapers this sort Of procedure Is
rent therefore, that the healthy American taste Tor
strong yire stage plays must work out It's salvation
or peTsh aud in view Of this emergency 1t Is gratifying
10 note decline-slght, IL is true but stl decne-in
the popular demand for ascIviOus performances Ii to
be hoped reasonably expected that another season
will witness marked change for the better not in New
York only, but throughout tho whole country as well.
Respectfully yours FRANK W. POTTER.
AeDaTk, N. j., June IA, 1869.