The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-11-10

An odor OF classic incense always comes
up from the "Pocket" with the New Har-
mOny Register. The town seems not like
any other in the State of Indiana. The
editorial imagination is stimulated to create
pictures of the place and curiosity excited to
see it. A 'tinge of antiquity seems to color
it's ~atmoswhere, and the name recalls the
past. The unpretentious little paper always
has something to report of dramatic per-
formances. There are panegyrics on the
''stsrs'' of the stage, criticisms on the last
play, announcements of coming sensations.
The ''Thespians'' are belahored for falling to
make a hit, and amid the chastisements of
the mighty Register they are admonished
that it is all for their good, and encouraged
to do better. The last number of the Regis
ter grsvely says,
Taken altogether, the performance of last
Saturday night, although far better than that
low the standard of toe New Thespi-
ans. Another performance is already talked of,
and it the proposed piece is accepted and placed
their mettle.
And all this seems to begin and end in
the city or paradise of New Harmony, one
would think it should be Old Harmony by
this time. The actors and actresses rise up
on the ornament of fame, win their lau-
rels and retire content with the praise of
New Harmony alone. They despise the
great world as the great world neglects
them. If amusements are needed, they
will have them, good and cheap of genuine
home manufacture. What to them is Janau-
schek while they have the Goldens? Why
should they think of European artists in
the happy possession of the Thespians? But
New Harmony does not dwarf her capaci-
ties by confining them to the stage alone.
She has a Literary Club" where oratory
and poetry, logic and romance, philosophy
and debate are in turn brought into requisi-
ton for the entertainment and culture of all
tastes and minds. But in this is revealed
the fact that New Harmony is not all
harmony. A discordant note is sometimes
struck in this ancient home of the Rapps&
Owens. For instance, note the action of
the Literary Club on the 10Th of last month
shown by the following preamble and reso-
luton.
Whereas, Brother Arthur S. Dransfeld has, by
the s ciety. forfeited his full membership of the
same THIS 18th day of October, 1874, ii is
Resolved, That we, members of the New Har-
mony Literary Society, do hereby consider
brother A. ). Dransfieid an honorary and silent
memberirom and afIer this date. \
The notable point in the above resolution
Is the penalty. Brother Dransfield might
have been sent to some Botany Bay, or sur
rendered to the tender mercy of the vigil
lants, or ducked in the Wabash. But worse
than any of these. Something akin to the
Chinese torture of death by sleeplessness is
decreed against him. He is to be a "silent
member" There is something awful i'm
piled in this. Probably brother Dransfeld
is one of the excitable ort-one who loves
to spout. While another member is de-
batting he sees all the weak points,
every passage is suggestive, offering
an opening for a speech So tempting
that Dransfield can hardly keep his seat till
it is time for him to nave the floor. And
when he finally unc)rks, his thoughts ex-
plode like champaign from a bottle. But
now be is condemned to be silent. With
what ingenuity, knowing his weakness,
have the club devised his punishment for
some tritiing offense. Dransfield viii prob
ably commit suicide. But, taken altogether.
the Posey county paradise does credit to
iiseIi in it's character for literary pursuits.
II would be we'll If other towns would 60
aud do likewise. the influences still lives of
the great men who laid the foundations of a
peculiar society in this remarkable spot,
though their systems failed. May the
Thespians win lsurels yet, and the Literary
Club prosper and remove the muzzle by and
bv from Brother Drsns field.
Victor LognOn, COsemers Witt. Edmond
Voorhees,. Adolph Pateu and Oscar Dnrand,
arrested for violating the enforcem'n Mt act
ia st. Martins parish last Wednes-
dav Leave New Inaria 10 mnrroW evening