Weekly Delaware State journal and statesman. (Wilmington, Del.) 18??-18??, 1869-02-05
LOCAL PUBLIC OPINION.
Communicated.
Theatre.


The recent attempt 10 sustain Theatre |
In our city has signally failed, and, we are
informed, that those who endeavored TO |
carry forth the enterprise have been losers |
to a considerable amount. We expected |
just such result:-there are not in our
city sufficient number of admirers of the
drama to sustain such entertainments; and,
particularly, at this time when religious
REVEALS are prevalent In so many churches.
But even surprising this antagonistic power
were not present to operate against the
theatre, the smallness of our population
would forbid the undertaking OF such a
work. 1t Is q cumbersome and costly busl-
ness, requiring the patronage OF great
number of reople--a much greater number
than our population can furnish. We do
not know that we can boast of the high
morality OF our population, but still there is
a general belief that theatres are demoraliz-
ing in their tendency, and those who are
Influential, from their religious Standing,
positively condemn such exhibitions and
sentiments as are given at theatres. Pious
persons, and those who wish to make them
selves examples OF proprieiy to their chill
| dren and others In the community, never
countenance theatrical entertainments, but
speak oil such as iajurlously frivolous, and,
in many instances, directly wicked. This
condition OF our people should have been
known by those who endeavored 10 manage
the late concern: such knowledge would
have prevented them from using SO much
labor and money in the futile effort, which
has resulted In such loss.
We scarcely can conjecture upon what
promises the theatrical enterprises could
| have been based, unless Il was that those
personally concerned were dece we'd by the
vain boastings oil some OF our citizens and
public prints, that our city was very popu.
lous, very wealthy, and that both the Of
fluent employer and toilng artisans, were
painting for something to relieve them from
lassitude and portion Of their wealth and
earnings. The managers, doubtless, ere
this have learned that putting is 1.-THE order
OF the day." as well In WILMINGTON as else
where, and arc enabled TO understand the
wise proverb, "that 1t is not all gold that
gltters."
There are some persons In our commu.
nifty, probably, who deeply regret that the
theatre was failure, believing that the
existence of such an institution would re-
fleet respeciability upon our city, and indi-
cate that Wilmington is very large and
wealthy metropolis. There is tendency
10 attach great reputation TO such distin.
gushing marks; and hence we often find
persons getting up certain movements and
organizations. and giving them such names
as appcrtain 10 necessary and useful bodies
10 the largest cities; thus Wilmington wants
to boast of Theatre, expressive of the
dramatic taste Of our population; some OF
our townsmen and townswomen, or ladies,
are painting for an Opera House where
they may drink in the instructive, heav.
heavenly harm0nies from the French or
italian vocalists. We already have a Board
OF Trade, and the same leading and interest.
ed gentlemen who propel that machine, can
with equal ease manage Corn Exchange
and Chamber OF Commerce. New York
and Philadelphia boast of prodigOus city
debts; they numerate by millions, and there.
fore 1t is wise and economical for Whining.
ton TO initiate the great and grand, and Gle
vate itself into good society. Philadelphia
has a Continental House, and New York q
! Metropolitan Hotel:-hence the necessity oil
Big Tavern in Wilmington, where visitori
may find repose from their distant travels,
and the "young bloods " of our town may
, hold conviyial parties and get as genteels
drunk at home as they can in any large city
OF the land.
! When these enterprises arc all successful
we can commence one-arch bridge from
Delaware Avenue and West street 10 the
/ summit of Concord Pike; open q volcano
/ near the Eighth Street Basin, which will
shed an eternal light upon our town, eQua
! TO the brfllidncy OF our present gas; ant
i then dig an artesian well in Cherry Islant
! Marsh that will spout so high that unlimit.
t ed water power will be furnished TO an,
| manufacturing establishment, be it engaged
either in casting weighty fy-wheels O
grinding horse-radlsh.
} The future is glorious for Wilmington
and she may expect, If the predictions o
, her special lriends are TO be believed, sooI
TO rival Liverpool or Manchester.
ADVANCE.