, 1880-12-12

/ HANOVER WIS, Dec. I've notice i'll q
| recent issue Of THE TRIBUNE 'tDefense OF
Mile. Bernharltby One OF Her Countrylnef, 81
to certain portions Of which we take cxcep-
tions. The agitation and discussion Of the
question OF her admission to society has
given the general public general knowl-
! edge Of some of the unsavory chapters in
| her life. We maintain that that subject is
one in which the public is interested, the
opinion Of her cIaampion to the contrary
in his censure Of the two men whom he re-
fcrs to. and whom lie terms gentle
men- Also condemn as seriously as
this we are at war with him, The plane of
| morality from which he views such charlc-
tiers as the actress. tho grounds upon which
he bases his arguments. antl Ills arguments
men, but ought to call forth vigorous pro-
test from every American who loves purity
| and virtue
His first argument, that she IS endowed
| charitable and 4 devoted friend and mother,
we admit. Great energy, devotion to friends,
charity. and lnother-loye are not peculiarto
any person or class Of persons: The brute
creatures. evidence 4 remarkable love for
wonderful devotion to their friends. As deep
devotion to friends, as fatt1omless love for
children, may be found among the most aban-
doned females as can be claimed for the act
rcss. Among that class charity is us freely,
and, according to their means. Us generously.
bestowed rs by the actress. Hence wc'claiM
that talent, devotion, charitableness, and
love for ones children gives no person a
claim to a position in good society il nnac-
companled by those other virtues whici, go
to make up the pure man and woman.
Again, lie claims that if her private life is
not free from fault, 1t Is her affair and not
that Of the public. Also, that the public has
ff1a rCr1tt IN 1iS1rcc hn fn] 1f =.
but not her character, even if it Is the worst
in the world. This is al outrageous doc
trine.
:. lie farther argues that people should feel
Of his whole argument is that good society
should receive OIL terms Of equality any per-
son OF pronounced ability and charitable dis
position. no matter what the record Of their
private life or complexion of their character
i This Isl is infamous.
Actors and actresses are not an absolute
necessity, but pure women and men are and
the way to mako md keep them SO is not to
be found III associating with people Of known
bad characters, no nlatter if they do possess
some good qualities. Anusements and en-
tertalnsnellts are a necessity, but should be
Of character calculated to elevate people,
at least not to de1noraIize them. The people
also who offer to the public entertainments
or anusemtnts should possess character
calculated to give a healthy moral tone
to them; We maintain that any person who
comes before the public as an instructor
or entertainer is, as it we're, public property,
and should be discussed, and, if found to be
morally unworthy, should atAonce be de-
hounced. People possessed Of great talent
anu enllnence IN any profession WELD a
to the character Of the posscssor. Noblcsse
obliEe People do not always look to the
moral code for their guidance, but, as is too
much the case, gauge their actions and COLI
duct by that of those who are in sumo respect
their superior, or who. occupy proninent t
positions. We would be just to all, and,
therefore, would deal as lcnientiy with those
i'll the llumblest and lowest walks and cir
cumstances Ill life who have gone astray rs
with those who, owing to superior talent,
position, circumstances, and wealth, have
gained prominence but have Sinncd as deep I
~. There are hundreds Of women who from |
various causes lave been driven-or at least
tney believe they have been driyen-to lives t
Of sh:l,ne.
For these there is some excuse; but for
Inose VINO sin from choice there Is none. |
which. Of the two classes will " "Frenc1lman
champion, and can he say his countrywoman
Is not onc of the latter?
Me would not etcrnally condemn a person |
who has done WRONG, but we want to sec |
some evidence OF repentance and reforma-
lion before they ask forgiveness.
1he way to correct all evil is not to wink
al It IN one M person and frowll on it in an
other. Tie way to correct errors or faults |
IS not to condone them III one person and |
condemn them in another; the difference |
between the persons being that the former
possess some great talent or prominence
be slandered it they are bad, and wherein |
Mile Rernhardt has been sandercd we hope
! me sla'lderer may be brought to justice We
pelleve that New York society in excluding
hef nc !, has done wisely, believing its action to
w H. r.