Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-11-23
rhea,er vs.. variety war.


+ Since the presentation to the General
Assembly of the memorial from the mana
gers of theaters in regard to the reduction
of licenses, and for the encouragement OF
the legitimate drama, our Memphis ex-
changes have been exceedingly spicy in the
war between legitimate and variety amuse-
ments. And to-day we discover that the
discussion Is not to he confined alone to
Memphis, for elsewhere in this paper there
is a letter from Memphis correspondent IN
which the subject is introduced, and here
again we have a communication strongly |
defending Dr. Spaulding in the course |
which he has taken, and from which we |
extract as follows
Some editorial comments appearedin the |
Memphis papers, advocating the vested
rights of the proprietors of certain places OF
amusement, to combine the triple attrae-
tions of theater or variety show with drink
ing saloon-where the gaily dressed fe-
male artistes alternately treat the audience
to the delights of the ETHEREAL dance and
| liquid sounds of music, and the diyinities
are treated by the audience with the more
substantial delights of champagne and whis-
| ky toddies dd h6itum.
Dr. Spalding, who happens to be inter
ested in theatre in Memphis, where the
audience and drtistes are restricted, the one
| to the front and the other to the back OF
the foot-lights, had the hardihood to ap
pend his name among several others to
memorial to the General Assembly of Ten
nessee, asking the sale of liquors In public
| places of amusement to be restrained The
aforesaid papers attempted, without men,
| tioning the names ofany of the other memo
rialists. to throw the entire weight OF the
terrible offense on the shoulders of the
! Doctor alone.
This brought out card from the Doctor
in each of the papers, Memphis A0dsoRcte
and appeal. These cards, without preten-
sion to literary ability, are plain statements
OF facts and arguments. These facts and
arguments are all swept away by the magic
touch of pen to paper by a learned cores
pondent, R. G. T., in the Appeal, who says
1.-THE Doctor may excel as an acrobat, but
the world smiles incredulously at his impu-
dent buffoonery." OF course such logic is
uuanswerable and the Doctor feels that all
his arguments are completely confuted.
But if there had been the smallest spark
of life left after reading the brilliant effu-
sions of r. G. T., the awful lashing of
''Old Sawdust in the A0dldnche would
have finished him. He says the immor-
atty as far as DIR. Spalding is concerned is
all bosh." That of course settles it. Again
he saws "some of the same persons who
fill Browns ballet once filed Spalding's
ballet" Very likely that may be SO. But
as time works wonderful changes, they
were not then educated up to that high
state of excellence that fits them for the
exalted position. Doubtless "Old Saw
dust himself was at one time an innocent
youth, and would have blushed to LOOK
upon some of the actions that please hin
so well now.
'FVice is a monster of so frightful mien
= As to be hated needs but TO be seen.
Seen oft we grow familiar with its face:
We first endure, then pity, then embrace"
Without intimating for a moment tina
the motives of the parties to this contro
! versy are not pure and honest We are GLAD
this question has assumed a form to bt
acted upon by the General Assembly
! Many honestly suppose the stage in it
; purest form and under most careful man
: agement is an evil that should be abolished
= a much larger number we think are of al
: opinion that well regulated theater is
I source of innocent amusement, and Otter
of instruction-but few we think will claim
= that for theater or variety show where th'
great part of the attraction consists IN the
, indiscriminate mixing and drinking to
gether of the audience and performers
We are somewhat anxious to see thu
vote of the Legislature on this subject.