Litchfield enquirer., 1875-03-04


 go to the very verge of constitutional power-even under his own acknowledg- ment-to perpetuate that party in power. l cannot say that. I prefer to adhere to the doctrines that I think will wear best for fifty years to come, and if need be to go into a minority
 Uncle Tom.
 "Uncle Tom, ''as performed at Washing ton on the evening of the 18th ult., de- serves more than a brief notice. Our friends were fortunate in the attendance, the Hall being packed, and the New Mill ford Band added not little to the enter tainment. But the play itself. as whole, was admirably performed, indeed so we'll performed that we feel disinclined to crit icise unfavorably any part.
 Uncle Tom certainly bore himself well all the way through. It was hardly to be expected that his singing would be an ex- act fac-simile of southern plantation mu- sic, but it was good imitation. St. Clair and Legree were life-ike and real, and the reflective influence of ''the pecu- liar institution" appeared with clearness in these characters. The good and the bad were strangely blended and well ex- hibited. Marks, the lawyer, was little easy and not quite so anxious and avari- cious as the ideal lawyer is generally rep resented to be. But Marks didn't mean to lose his life and we admire his pru- dence so far. Gumption Cute was almost excelled by his dog. We hope to see him soon in Neighbor lockwood. He is at home in that style. Eva was very nicely, done. Topsy was the most genuine ''nigger" that we ever saw for an imita- tion.
 Miss Ophelia was as far as possible from ''shiftless," in fact we were inclined to think her performance equally good or a little better than any other. She man. aged the affair with the Deacon, how art lessly and artfully! And how naturally that prim, precise. pious Deacon, who could do no wrong, did palaver around Miss Ophelia. But he did swear upon occasion as some other deacons might have done with less provocation. MT. Shelby played the role of k1nd hearted man pecuniarily embarrassed, evidently pained at the sorrows and sufferings of his slaves, but unable to escape from or break through the social bonds that bound southern society. That Quaker is sui generis and did amuse us greatly.
 But we can't particularize further. As we recall the performers we think of al- most nothing with which we could justly find fault. And this is small praise to the manager. He deserves our greatest thanks for furnishing so pleasant and good an entertainment. We honor him that through so many years he has persisted in utilizing such talent as he could com- mand, And we congratulate him on hay ing conquered a peece. He now meets with no opposition but has the patronage of the real Deacons and other good peo- pie who, little while ago, would lift up their hands and voices in holy @ horror at ''Theatricals." Mir. Editor, the world moves. The would-be guardians and GUS todians of all that is good and virtuous in the world, are gradually learning that indiscriminate condemnation of theatri- calls is folly and stupidity. and hurts the cause it would help. Again we say, there fore, thanks to the Dramatic Association of Washington. May they go on prosper ing and to prosper. We think they could to advantage give US Neighbor lockwood again at an early day.
 One word further in conclusion. Ma jor General Birge and lady (whose son had part in Uncle Tom) were present at the play. and it may not harm the man. ager and the other performers to know that after the play the General and Mrs. B. both expressed themselves as very greatly pleased and not little surprised that, in Washington, corps of players could be found to to do so well: many of them, even most of them. doing as well as any performers anywhere. We noticed al- so, that the General had very pleasant visit with his old Chaplain, between whom and himself there has long existed q astrone and warm friendship. .E A ONE WHO WAS THERE
 CANAAN has new telegraph operator in Mir. Charles Marvin.-There is much sick ness from colds. Three engines were dis abled on the Conn. Western, last week. WEST CORNWALL is enliyened by law suit by Thomas 0, ,Donnell against Edward Potter for breach of warranty in sale of a