Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-14
THE PASSION PLAY.
CalitornIa's B~lasphemOas SensatlOn.-
Row II Is Being Received by the
San Franclscoans.

Il ATT
The papers of San Francisco, with
the exception of the Chronicle, refuse
to publish the advertisements Of the
Grand Opera House in that city, in
which the Passion Play is being pro-
duced. The first production of the
blasphemous play was given last Mon
day night, and the Chronicle thus
notices it .Tn We9 yhwnTrHrf
The announcement OF the revival of
medieval drama in the form of the Pas
sion Play at the Grand Opera House
last evening created an intense feeling
among religious people of all demon
nations, and every influence was
brought to bear to suppress the sacri-
lege, as it is regarded. The emphatic
protest against the performance made
through the press and pulpit would
doubtless deter many people from
patronizing the entertainment, but the
negative effect of the pious denuncia-
ton could only be to advertise the
exhibition and conduce enormously to
its peeuniary success. The manager
manifesting no disposition to yield to
the elamOr of indignation by with
drawing the play after incurring a
heavy outlay in its preparation, vigOr-
Gus efforts were made yesterday to
procure the interference of the au-
thorities. As the performance was
advertised as a sacred affair, and that
style of passion plays being without
precedent in this city, it was not clear
that the police had authority to act
directly, and the supervisors were
beset by people particularly excited in
the matter to take measures for the
suppression of the play. Supervisors
Rountree and Danforth constituted
themselves a committee to
WAIT UPON THE MANAGER
of the Objectionable play, and were
met with a decisive refusal to with
draw it. They then submitted the
matter to City and County Attorney
Burnett, with a view of determining
the powers Of the board, and adopting
an ordinance prohibiting any order of
entertainment that may be declared
sacrilegiOus. The matter was brought
up and acted upon at the meeting of
the board Of supervisors last evening.
The excitement created by the oppo-
sition to the production of the play
had the effect of drawing a large
crowd to the front of the opera house
last evening, largely composed of a
class too ready to improve any oppor-
tunity that might occur for the crea-
ton of tumult and disorder, without
the slightest reference to any religious
sentiment, however. The attendance
was very fair, the parquet and dress
circle being filed with a very select
and quiet audience. There was some
manifestation of a disorderly element
in the gallery, but after a few slight
attempts at ridicule at the outset, it
subsidized into respectful attention, and
any interruptions were suppressed
with marked expressions Of disappro-
val by the audience generally. The
more impressive scenes were received
with %reverential silence, which their
deep selemnity seemed to command.
without exception, and any attempt at
ridicule at such times could not have
been regarded otherwise than in the
light Of
HORRIBLE S~ACRILEGE.
without regard to the propriety of the
play. The representation terminated
abruptly with the scene in which the
Savior, crowned with thorns, is deliv-
cred into the hands of the elamorous
multitude by the Roman governor,
Pontius PLATE. The audience still tar
ried, uncertain whether the exhibi
ton had concluded, until the manager
appeared in front Of the cur
tain in response to a %clamorous appeal
for explanation. He stated that the
play embraced four additional scenes.
which had been prepared, but in con-
sequence Of the violent opposition that
had been raised against the exhibition
by the press and pulpit, it had been
deemed advisable to omit them, and
he asked the indulgence of the audi
ence for this obedience to the antag-
sentiment. The audience then
quietly withdrew.
TUu pAccToN pr