The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-01-13
WE'LL DESERTED COMPLIMENT

Up To the very hour that the doors OF the
Charleston Academy of Music were thrown open
to the public many estimable persons refused to
believe that this city could find the capital, the
skill or the courage required for the erection Of
first class theatre; and when the accomplished
fact proved that, what to them was impossible,
had actually been done, they consolcd themselves
hv declaring their conviction that the theatre
would not pay. In doing so they prepared for
themselves another startling surprise. The en-
pericncc Of the season shows that good houses
can be drawn to the Academy of Music night after
night, and that Charleston can support first
class place of amusement. Now the flush ofnovel-
tyAhas worn of. The public go to the Academy not
to crafty curiosity, but because they were well
pleased, and want to be pleased again. They are
sure of finding order, good performance, and
handsome and comfortable building. New scene
ry and new costumes greet the eye nearly as
often as the pieces change. Comedy, tragedy,
farce, burlesque opera, come and go In turn, and
all the while the reputation of Manager Ford for
tact, Judgment and knowledge of his profession
steadily increases.
To Manager Ford the city owes debt Of graft
tude. When he leased the Academy the public
were disinclined to visit public place of amuse-
mcnt. Tcmpcton. Whitman and the rest had
taught them lesson OF caution. They were SHY
of rcposing confidence in new names and faces.
All this tmdty and natural reserve Manager
Ford has overcome. By always performing lit
tic more than lie promises, and by relralning from
promising ovcr.much, he has won the trust OF the
people, and in this "quict old place" has made
converts enough to give him good audiences every
night of the season.
1t was proper then, for many reasons, that one
of whom so much Is thought, should receHs at
our hands some token Of good will, and this is
happily expressed in the subjoined correspond
encc, in which Manager Ford accepts compll-
mcntary benefit rendered him by a number Of our
most influential citizens. We need only add that
the benefit performance will take place on Mon
day night, and that tile play will be "Mnch Ado
About Nothlng.n Mr.. Warner will remain H. the
city expressly to take part in this performance,
and will be supported by all the members OF the
company.
CHARLESTON, S. G., January Il, 1870.
To Join T. Ford, Esq., Manager ana Lessee Acad-
eDly OF Music:
The undersigned, highly appreciating your
efforts to maintain and elevate the dignity OF
the Charleston stage, and to give cur people musi-
cal and dramatic entertainments of high order,
beg to tender you Complimentary Benefit, to
take place at such time as you may designate.
A. G. MAGRATH HENRY COBIA
JAMES B. CAMPBELL WM. c. BREEsE
c. T. LowSDEs RICHARD LATHEES
W. D. PoRfER BENZ. F. HuGER
JAMES CONNER WM. A. CoURTESAY
6. A. TRENHOLM BERNARD O'NEtLL
JOHN E. CAREw HENRY GERDTs
ALEX II. BROWN FRANCIS 5. RODGERS
CuAs. II. SIMoNToS w. W. SHACKELFoRD
THEODORE D. WAGNER JOHN II. HOLMES
WILLIAM RAyESBT. t. T. WALKER
WILLIAM WuALEY H. II. DELEON
]. D. AIKEN JAMES L0wNpEs
F. J. PoRcHEE ID. RIcHARDSoN
HENRY BCIsT A. W. BURNETT
THEODORE G. BARKER DANIEL HoRLBECK
b. II. RUTLEDGE w. D. CLANCY
w A. WARnLAw r. S. BRUINS
JSo. G. LAF1TTE THEODORE D. JERvEY
GEO. S. CAMERON And many Others