Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-06-25

with us, it has como TO stay. 1t thrives
under opposition, like all plants that have
their roots in human nature.
The iheater is here. then. and will re-
main. What shall we do with it, and
what shall be done about il I? We do not
propose TO do any ylhing about it, except
To endeayor SO to elevate tho popular
mind and taste that the stage, rs the re-
lection oil that mind and taste. shall
grow purcr and better all the time.
When truly meritoriouj men and wopsen
appear rs actors, it will be the duty and
privilege of this MAGAZINE to recognize
them and all there is Of good III them.
When charlatans appear, 1t will be
equally its duty and privilege to condemn
them. Their art is undoubtedly legiti-
mate. though il is surrounded by thou
sand more temptations for themselves
than for those whom they entertain.
Artists OF all names and callings-singsrs
as we'll as actors-who are dependent up
on the popular applause almost inevita.
bly, grow mean and childish and jealous
in their greed for praise, and especially
ior partiality Of praise. These tempta-
tions seem TO be almost inseparablc from
their calling; but there have been noble
men and women enough on the stage TO
show that they can he resisted.
The question touching the right or
wrong Of attending the iheater, we do
not propose to discuss. IL certainly is
not right Tor any man TO offend his con.
science in anything; but we do not keep
any mans conscience, AMI do not permit
Hny man to keep ours. There is no
doubt that the theater has dangerous
associations, which the young should
shun. There are natures that are very
much fascinated by the slago-so much
SO - to make ,heatergoing q snare and II
temptation to them. Again, it is very
expensive amusement. which young
men and women dependent on their own
labor can very rarely afford. A days
work in real life for an evenings enjoy
ment of mimic life is very poor ex.
change. Yet there are men and women
to whom the theater is an inspiration. II
recreation, and a rest. If there were moi
II great many such. the theatsr could not
live month The life of cities Is most
intense-almost intolerable. oiten-and
anything not vicious or degrading in il
seli-which can bring diversion and for.
getfulness, is healthful and helpful.
Admitting that the theater is to re.
main, that it really has ito root in human
nature and human want, that it possesses
unhealthy destinations for some natures,
that it is expensive, and that it holds lis
life in tho midst OF untoward incidents
aud associations, what are we TO do
about it 1? When the dwellei upsn the
prairie sees the fire sweeping toward him
he does not fly out 10 fight IL. but he
lights the grass and stubbc around his
dwelling, and meets half way and van
quisheb his enemy by the destruction si
thai which leeds him. The desire Tor
amusement and for dramatic amusement
is of natures own implantation; and il
there is any amusement more innocent.
delightful, stimulating, instructive. and
inspiring than that which comes of anna
teur dramatic representations. we are
not aware of its existence. II we would
make the thsater better, we must make
the community better, Of whose morals
ii is. by it's very constitution and neces
sities, the most faithful reflex and repre-.
sentative. If we would feed the desire
Tor dramatic amusement in some other
way, and 20 destroy the fascination oil
the theater for the young. let good peo.
pie frown no longer upon the home and
neighborhood representations OF the dra'
ma, but counteaance and cultivate them.
The young are easily driven from US by
irrational restraint. Let us show by our
sympathy with them, that we recognize
their needs and desires, and iced at
home, or in neighborly assemblies, the
tastes which only find aliment elsewhere
in dangerous places.-Dr. J. G. Holland,
IN Scribner'S for June