National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-04-24

the theatrical troops or companies which now
a.days appear before Washington audience are
OF the character Of the one which has but re-
Gently left us, after reaplng bountiful harvest
Of greenhacks, viz: Lydia Thompson's-troops
composed OF actors and actresses ~ OF the low
est order, whose chief resort to obtain for them
selves Hoodly attendance being the assumption
on the stage OF an abandon reckle ssness and de-
prayty In dress and department not only dis
gushing, but vulgar enough to shock the mo1esty
OF all who have the least regard for propriety or
That such an Innovation Is taking place on our
stage 10 deeply deplored, and should be uprooted
before u obtains permanent hold, which y VIII
eventually acquire, unless .'nipped In the 0udi
that II IL not the fault OF our theatrical man.
ager that we are so often visited by such troops
Is question beyond dispute, for he caters to the
taste Of the public; and that the taste OF our
theatre going public Is so illiterAte as to uphold
countenAnce and give precedence to troops OF
the kind In question IL exceedingly surprising
and 20 De regTe9ed' Rsr,iensi,y 50 when MnSs
or play ls looked upon everywhere as being cor
rect and beyond criticism.
As evidence OF the preference Of our theatre
going public for such troops as Thompsonis, wit
ness the large attendance at the theatre during
the engagement OF the same and the slim at
tendance during the engagements OF troops
composed OF artists Of merit.
Il Is actually fact that during its recent en-
gagement here the troop aforesaid succeeded in
drawing nightly houses lnst exceeded IN number S
preceded Il, and which Included In Its repertoire
| two OF the greatest prima donnas-Lucca and
kellogg-it has ever been ones pleasure to be-
is IL then TO be wondered at that we are not
| oftener favored with legitimate companies and
supports such trashy troops as those under dis
cussion-troops that Introduce upon the stage
| pieces so mediocre, and In a great measure i'm
moral, that theatrical audience like ours, which
believe makes some pretenslons to being high
toned cultivated and critical In its taste, should
disdain TO give even passing notice, let alone en-
| couragement by its patronAge7
Not many years ago now many OF those who
now read with pleasure the announcement OF
the coming Of a troop like Thompsons would
turn with disgust from such notice.
The introduction Of such troops on the stage
Of a theatre frequented mostly by persons Of In
telligence and culture has been Of but recent
date hence, ere they obtain permanent foot
hold, let them be cast back TO the place whence
they came, and where they leRitimately belong
TO the variety show for there Is the more proper
and hitting place for them to interest aud please
the rabbe which frequent such shows, and which
form most appropriate audience for them.
Hoping that the time Is not far distant when
these troops will disappear altogether from the
view Of t6eatrc-going public, believing that il
such should be the case an lnitiatory step would
be taken TO Introduce upon the stage oftener
than Ia now usual actors and actresses Of merit,
and plays at which the most fastidlous and pune.
tiiious might look without blush or criticism.
am, very respectfully,
wAsHrSoroS, April n, IsIa
, ~ rHE ASSASSINATION oF On. THOMAS.
The following letter is from the son OF Rev. Z
Thomas, lately killed by the Modocs. Its plead
Ings for justice and humanity under the dreat
circumstances Of his fathers death are touch,
ing. His father was all he describes. We com
mend II TO the attention Of our readers:
BAN FRAsoIsoo. April II, 1873.
Hsg. 4. 4; Sarys.t. !lsitst States Ss.ator! -.
you few words. IL was undoubtedly through
you that father was appointed upon the com
mission to the Modocs, and Il may be that II
spite Of your judgment TO the contrary, you
feelings may condemn your agency In the mat
ter. Do not reproach YOURSELF neither for ouI
aakes let the policy OF the nation towards TIT
to the frenzy Of the hour. OF course they mus
, be punished and overcome, and made 70 feel ou
! power. But read the Sacramento Record on III,
Of April, which have Just read. II the seyeres
punishment be visited upon the hostile Indians
let peace and Justice and security be still sough
: for others. Fathers heart was In the cause II
which he gave his life, and the cause Ia worth!
! and must be persevered In. We suffer for Thu
ill-deeds Of our own race, and must still sure
perhaps. But we owe y 20 ourselves and to tn
Indians to perseyere. hope you arc with M
=, still In this. hope General Grant Is. The In
! dians must know our power, and that our mere
"a not cowardlce-they must know our word !
true. l speak for myself, and hope may b
h entitled TO some consideration. am not askinI
= for false mercy or that the frontlersman be ex
posed TO any ayodAble risk OF life and property
Q The Indians are what they are, believe, be
!, cause the whites with whom they are IN contac
= have been what they have been. We are ;
g blame; not the poor Modocs; but the rapaciou,
lawess, perndlous whites are guilty OF his blood
9 We blame no one for his death. Now that tn
q nrst shock has passed away we md more to re
Q jolce In than to mourn over. lie was ready
4 always ready. His heart was only love. lio'
: any man or beast could meet the kind smile Q
that face and do the old man harm cannot Ut
.derstand. In the fullness OF his power; IN tn
K ripeness OF his manhood: when he was Twin
}; every day so near the heavenly world, and wa
always IN near communion with the better lant
God took him higher at once, painless. To fe'
men, comparatively, isit given to die like ma
s. tyr, and for your agency In thus securing u
D. past Of a glorious life In the service OF b
te Church and his felow-men, and In securing III
Z, future 10 him and US, thank you. We wi
b, pluck up our hearts and follow on TILL God gran
L. US the blessing Of death.
E. This hurry will soon pass over. Without 50!
y Ing any thing now, let the Government adhere
Q Its grand purpose TO be Just and true to thei
II children OF the land. Don't let the preclol
blood Of the dead be only the signal for an I
sane crusade OF vengeance. Let II not be 4
TO war alone. They died who lived for peace.
Ia be sure peace viii come through war, but not
determination.
Mother bears 1t well; so do the children. v
are happy because he Ia happy beyond the chan
~ OF suffering. And he did suffer here, and SUITE
~ ing made him perfect. He was already beyol
Is, the reach OF malice to anger or provoke him,
III not, Of course, 10 wound his soul. And now j
o. emp Is full OF Joy.
Yours, truly, X. L, THOMAS