New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-10-23
ACTORS AND THE CENTENNIAL.
WHAT THEY MIGHT CONTRIBUTE.

WHAT THEY MIGHT CONIRlBUlE.
CITIZENS AID PREFERABLE To THE GOVERNMENTS
A NATIONAL "BESEFT"-CoOPERArIoN OF
EMINENT AMERICAN AND FOREIGN ACTORS sUG-
GFsTED.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Eve met; twas in a crowd" Moreover, 1t
was in a box at Drury Lane Theater. Four of us
all Americans-were enjoying Mr.. and Mrs. Bouc-
oault's admirable acting in The ughraun."
When the curtain fell upon thc second act, aud Conn
had responded to enthusiastic applause, we fell to
talking about the Centennial and the necessity Of
making il financial success. it is not often That
ANYBODY has an idea, but, strange as II may seem,
then and there had Oae Suddenly, as If inspired by
the genius loci, l exclaimed, "ColonclP The Col
onel turned. and might well state at once that
this particular Colonel was John w. Forney, who
with the industry of hundred beavers, is working
night and day in behalf of the United States
Colonel in one of your recent letters YOU declared
that we ought tOcOverourseves with shame " hen We
reflect that our Government has not yet voted one
single dollar to the Centennial direct, while most Of
the foreign nations have given freely to THIS cause
Now, according TO an Old story, there was once q
woman who did not quite agree with 81. Paul. 50
YOU must pardon LIE it, in this matter, don't quite
agree with even clever man as yourself.
European nations, being more or less paterna IN
peoples; consequently the latter depend entirely
uuon the former. With us ii IS different. We think
for the Government if We didn't, Heaven knows
what would become of us; and it will be a sad day
when Americans, forgetting the Independence of
Republicauism look to Washington for brains and
money! There are now too many hands in the Ma
tiOnal Treasury European International exhibitions
have had imperial support. How much grander Will
it be for the American people repellmg help from
Washington, to take an individual interest IN the
success of our Centennial Celebratlonf Pmadel-
phia has done much, different States are gradually
waking up to the importance of the occasion, and
believe it only needs thorough discussion Of this
matter to open the pockets of all we-to-do patriots
Would it not be fine if trade, every profession,
every art establishing responsible committee III
every State sent contribution to the general fund
Think what merchants lawyers, physicians manu-
facturers, farmers, artisans might not accomplish II
they went 70 work with hearts and heads Then
there are the artists last but not least being those of
the dramatic profession. You, as well as !, know
that actors are the most generous of human beings
Would it not then rebound infinitely to their credit,
il. on a given day, simultaneous theatrical repre-
sensations for the Centennial Fund took place
throughout the length and breadth of the Unionp
The Colonel has q speaking countenance. 1t quite
olov,ed at this final suggestion. " A capital idea ~
Inc cried eft must not be allowed TO die i'll this
box Make il the text of your next letter to Amer
icn.D As Col. Forney is the CentcnriaPs European
representative what can do but obey the com
mander-in-chief And do so gladly, because IT
seems ia me that with cooperation the idea can be
carried ont See what New-YOrk City alone did for
charity in 1874, and for the Bryant Testimonial
only a few months ago What has been done can
he done again. Already John McCulloch and Dion
Boucicaut have promised to put the proceeds OF
two bcnefts into the Centennial FUND. John >.
Clarke has given 81 800 to the same end. Think,
then what can he accomplished if actors and man
ayers unite to make the Centennial monument OF
dramatic art as well as of universal industry What
hosts may not lie mar7haled by Edwin Booth, Law
renee Barrett. Lester Walack, Mr.. and Mrs. Barney
Williams. Mr. and Mrs Florence, John I. Raymond,
Frank Mayo. Mrs Lander, Clara Morris, Charles
Pope John Ellslcr, Clara Louise Kellogg, Adelaide
pbillipps Mrs Van Zandt, Mrs Drew Mrs. ID. i.
Rowers. Mr.. and Mrs. Chanfrau, Mr.. De Bar, John
T. Owens. and many othersf Then when it comes To
mauacers-judgng the future by the past-there IS
not one in New-York who will say No" 10 proper
anpeal And are Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore
Washington, Albany, Providence, Buffalo, Cleve-
Land Chicago. st. Louis, Cincinnati, LOUISVILLE,
pittsbnrgb New-O Orleans, Richmond, Charleston, VI
San Francisco one io less patriotic than the netropo
hsf Think. too, how the noble army OF amateurs,
18th Mr. Bird and Mrs Shook at their head, can
swell the Dramas contribution Once iTGd. matiy ,S
MIa gi1ie1s Barry Sullivan, George Rig
Mold Mold George Bemore, and others who
are reaping the golden harvest OF popularity And
r,'nd the earth NOWADAYS who doubts that Joseph
JEFFERSON viii respond this side of the Ailanuc
Nav not sotbern Tooe, and Mss Nelson foii3w hlt
sramplef Even as write, MISC GeneWoVe Ward
a." american traeedienne who, having won hei
snu in England, is now about to return home
nnder Mr.. Strakoscls msnagement bids me say
Inh McCuiioehf Mr. Editor, three thousand miles
away can only make the suggestion. Who WIZ
carry it outf -. A~