New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-23
THE HOLLAND TESTIHONI1L-ITS MOIFE
IND ITS MEANING.

The extraordinary demonstration when mas
been made by the American stage, within the
last week. in aid and honor of the Holland
Testimonial, has naturally attracted iarSo
share of public attention. With the facts on
which it was based, and the incidents by
which it has thus far been attended, our
readers have had abundant opportunity OF
making acquaintance. II Is lar 10 prcsulle'
also. that many among them have reflected on
IFS two-fold significance. That IT - irelghted
with such n significance, there can, at any
rate be no sort of doubt. 1t arose ont OF TWO
motives-the sentiment of bCnevOlencc, and
the sentiment of righteous Indignation. 1t
assumed to atone for the lack OF
fortune that had attended the career OF
good artist - who was also good
man; and IL Likewise assumed by quiet I'M
plication, To resent an aiiront that had bcen Oh
Gerrd 10 the entire profcssion,of the Stage, as
rcprcsented by one of its members, to whom,
in death, clergyman refused Christian burial be-
cause he had been an actor And what it as
slrned to do it has thoroughly and brillipty
ACCOMPLISHED. The widow and children OF the
old actor have been lifted above the reach OF
poverty, and placed in that shelter OF moderate
and respectable competence which ms
own kind heart desired for them, and
for which he laborcd through so
many industrious and virtuOus years.
More than this-as a result Of greater, wider,
and more permanent advantage, concerning,
not a single family alone, but the whole pub
lir-the Stage has struck a blow in its own
defense, which was needed, and which has
crowned benevolencc with vindicatiOn.
For a very long time sufferance has
been the badge of the player, and plous
society, like snug Antonio, has called
him "dog." From this moment the stage
assumes a new attitude. 1t no longer covers
in patience under ignorant misrepresentation,
filthy SANDER, and cruel insOience 1t rises III
native power and asserts its own dignity ana
worth. There has been a unanimity and fer
yor of purpose and of action i'll this Holland
Testimonial that show deep heart thoroughly
aroused, and that must have impressed every
attentive observer with an acute sense, not
less of the power of the dramatic profession,
than of It's essential importance to the public
welfare. Hundreds of ladies and gentlemen
are connected with that pursuit. Some OF Its
votaries are persons richly endowed with genius
and talent, and gracefully adorned with
the charms of culture. Thousands of labOrers,
in crafts incidental to the art of acting, earn
an honest and decent living through the pros
perity of that art. The art itself is as ancient
as civilization and is honorable with the honor
of celestial gifts and of beautiful achieve
ments 1t has developed genius. 1t has fired
patriotism. 1t has cOmmemoratcd virtue. 1t
has extolled freedom. 1t has stimulated cul-
ture 1t has soOthed the trouble of care-wOrn
minds 1t has stored literature with gems of
Thought and feeling; and it has enriched his
tory and biography with character and wit.
The professors of such an art-respecting
their profession and respecting themselves
may surely claim the respect of mankind. At
any rate they do not ask too much, when they
ask that the unbured ashes of their brethren
dear to- them in life and mOurned in death
shall be protected from gratuitous indignity.
In their protest against that theology that
denied the burial of the Church to George
Holland, because he had been an actor,
we believe that the entire intelligent pub
lie most heartily joins Great good must
certainly result; the real character and
solid virtues of the Stage are enlisted in its
defense, and while these impress the public
mind they will maintain the institution itself
in dignity and purity, to be an honor and not
a reproach.