The New York herald., 1874-12-06
Not sneer., but Honest Criticism.

on those topics.
Not sneers. but Honest Criticisms.
1t has been made sufficiently manifest that
the question of public amusements is not to be
settled by wholesale vituperation. 1t is Of too
great magnitude and importance to be disposed
of by the special plea of fanaticism. The con-
troversy which the HERALD originated has
resulted in calling forth the views of the
thoughtful as well as the thoughtless Of the
clergyman, who is, perhaps, more intensely
interested in the matter than any one else,
and of the social economist who regards
amusement as one Of the elements Of general
progress. This is the right time to discuss
the question and to sitt the testimony for and
against by cross-examination that seeks only
for the truth. The law on the point is very
distinct and can be evaded by no exegetical
cunning 1t is evidently intended to shut up
every place of amusement Of whatever kind,
on the Sunday. That it has become dead
letter is owing simply to carelessness, or pos
sibly to change in public opinion. If to
carelessness, then we have done q service in
calling the attention of the people to the fact
that these multiplying entertainments are
illegal and can be restrained by hint
dropped in the ear Of those who have
charge Of the public peace; if to
change in public opinion, then we have
done still greater service in reminding the
people that they have q law which they have
outgrown, and that it is time to make new
one to fit the new circumstances. 1t is never
well to disobey law, even when it has be-
come dead letter. 1t is far better to rescind
it and make new provision for the educative
sentiment of the people. While the present
statute remains on the books, then, let it be
rigidly enforced; let the constituted authori-
ties see to it that every place OF public amuse-
ment, without exception or favoritism, is
closed or Sunday evening. If the result Of
the experiment prove unsatisfactory then
erase the statute and put new one in its
place. The people should know nothing but
implicit obedience to laws as they stand, since
they have at any moment power to change
them.
We confess to some little surprise at the
way in which the general subject of popular
amusements on secular days has been treated
by few members of the clergy. We sup
posed that every tyro in social ethics admitted
the necessity Of some sort of recreation; that
laughter as well as tears help to make up the
sum total of life; that the drama, though
sometimes perverted to suit the lewd tastes
and tendencies of certain classes, is al impor-
tant auxiliary to the health and education
Of the people. 1t is neither wise nor prudent
in an age marked by its good sense, to gener-
alize concerning the theatre, and call it. in the
language Of evident fanaticism, ''the devils
institution" That some theatres do notably
cater to the lewd propensities of the audience
all men admit and all honorable men regret.
That all do this is most assuredly an untfuth,
and o sweeping and indiscriminate denuncia-
ton Of the stage is either indicative Of an in
subject or Of desire to make an dd captain
dun and sensational criticism which must
necessarily defeat itself. There are theatres
in New York which are not "sinks Of in
iquity," but which are moral resorts for those
who seek recreation from the overburdened
cares Of business life. 1t must sound very
strange in the ears of all lovers of the drama
to hear that the ovation which was recently ten
dered to Miss Cushman was simply q tribute to
her power Of resisting temptation and maintain
ing personal purity of character in the midst
Of demoralizing influences. We had supposed
that the ovation was the peoples criticism Of
her artistic merits, of her genius in the por-
trayal of some Of the greatest characters that
have ever been dramatized Miss Cushman is
not only respected and loved as womsn, but
also admired as an interpreter of Shakespeare,
and our admiration Of the actress, not less
certainly, than our respect for the woman,
was the moving impulse to the popular en-
thusiasm.
If the Church will be little more wise and
liberal it can easily obtain control over the
amusements Of the masses, cleansing the
stage Of its impurities and 80 elevating its
general tone that it shall become means Of
intellectual improvement as well as of
emotional refreshment. It ought not to lose the
opportunity which we have offered, neither
should it hide itself under the cloud of critical
dust which few have raised. Let it take its
stand on q sound and tenable knowledge Of
the wants of human nature and project its in
fuence into the amusements as well as the
morals Of the people, and this controversy will
ultimate in measures of reform which every
good actor as well as every church-goer will
approve
The City Finances.