The Osceola times., 1877-05-26
Honi Soft cui Nal Y psnse.

|
performances for the season, in the lull
that necessarily intervenes prior to the
opening of the fall campaign, we deem
it appropriate, IN justice to the good
our amateurs have done, ard in retuta
lion of the uncalled for and vindlctive
warfare that has been waged against
this institution. to give vent to a lew
remarks:
Less than twelve months ago dozen
Osceolz gentlemen of recognized social
position and respectability, many OF
them heads of families irrespective oil
reg Gus Gre, or: an zcd the Osceola
Literary and Dramatic Association,
selecting and adopting this as fitting
medium Of social intercourse, innocent
pas'ime, and mental culture. as well as
harmless vehicle for the transmission
of occasional amusement and recreation
TO the public. This association, zeal
ously guarding the preservation OF It's
esprit de corps in adding to its ranks,
is now composed Of about twenty-five
active members. In the course OF time,
feeling the necessity of female assist
ance, and properly sensible and appre-
ciative of the elevating and softening
influences of the gentler sex, IL was
wisely concluded to invite the co-oPe-
ration of such ladies as were willing to
contribute to the prosecution OF our
literary and dramatic efforts, resulting
in the ready and cheerful response OF
several of the most prominent and ire
proachable in the community. For
eight months, this band of ladies and
sentemen-the ladies dutiful and OBJ
servant of all the decorum and exactions
demanded by the society laws of a
clamorous and fault-finding country
town, and the gentlemen guardedly
scrupulous in their conduct and dePort-
ment-has devoted its leisure hours to
he preparation, reh.arsing and rendi-
lion Of the literary gems of the English
lrams, aiming at, and in no small de-
gree accomplishing, the twofold pur-
pose Of its organlzation-the mental
Improvement ard polishing Of its mem
b.rs, the natural offspring OF social re-
inion, stud, and instruction, and the
entertainment and amusement OF q pub
| lie almost wholly deprived of that di-
version and excitement so essentially a
part Of the human existence. With so
much care have the pieces pat upon
the stage by the Osceola Literary and
Dramatic Association been selected,
and pruned Of improPrieties, and SO
modestly have they been rendered,
that we challenge and defy the candid
censure Of any fair or honest mind.
We treat WIKI the contempt they de-
serve the scurrilous am obscene puns
and remarks belched forth by certain
fulgarians, whose ill-hrcd and impure
minds are incapable Of soaring above
animal filth and desires. Ncr has this
association confined itself exclusively
70 the drama; its exercises have been
literally in,ersperscd with lectures and
lcbates, many of which have reflected
no little skill. and credit upcn its men,
bers, and elected equal appreciation
from its auditors Thus moving smooth
ly along, interfering with no one, max
ing war upon no one; studiously avoid
ing aueht hat could lay the foundation
for the carping censures Of even those
so prone to find fauh with any and
everything that docs not emanste from
and within themselves little dream
ing of the wrsthful storm gathering
around them, soon destined to burst
forth in a perfect avalanche of terror
and menace-a religious crusade was
raised and preached against the dra.
mates by the two principal sects Of the
community, and conducted and pushed
forward with more vim, acrimony and
vindictiveness, than any crusade we have
yet seen waged in Mississippi county,
against the devil himself. Whether
thus actuated and urged on by igno.
rance or malice, the dramatics care not,
though for the sake of charity they
would prefer attributing it to the for
mer but confident in their own integ
ri,y OF conduct and purpose cognizan
of their equality, morally, socially, anc
mentally, with the best OF their tradu
GERS, they can laugh to scorn yilliica
TONS and anathemas more befittinl
Billingsga:e and the Five Points thar
Christian pulpif And now for ;