The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-30
The Passion Play Given Tn.
Mr.. ABBEY's CARD EXPLAINING HIS .rrtT,
THc MaiTup

the passion Play Given Tn.
Mr.. ABBEY's CARD EXPLAINING HIS ATTITUDE
IN the MATTER.
| Following Is the card addressed TO The
public by Mr.. Abbey, the manager Of
Booths Theatre, announcing his Geiermi-
nation TO give M the presentation Of the
so. called Passion Play in New York:
10 all my managerial experience In the
city OF New York and elsewhere I have
never before found II necessary or advisable
to address the public in regard to any in.
tended production upon the stage Of my
theatre. So much, however, has been said
and urged against the representation OF this
particular drama Qf in the general accepta-
ton of that term 1t may be so caled)th it
appears incumbent upon me 10 acquaint the
public with the circumstances surrounding
my presentation OF it, and with the reasons
which prevailed 10 induce me 10 abandon
that intention. had never seen any per-
Torrance or representation Of the play, but
1t was first called TO my notice by the au-
thor.
Upon the primary suggestion OF its pro-
dnction by me and at my theatre felt. as
believe the majority OF Christian people
feel now, natural repugnance TO its repre-
sentation on the stage. | was induced,
however, 10 hear il read nv its author, who
had spent years in the Holy Land studying
the subject, and the interest OF whose
| life seems to be centered upon u. was so
impressed with the subject and lis treat
mcnt by him that signed contract for is
production at Booths under his personal
SUPERVISION. Nv part Of such contract was
10 furnish the Cditce and rIe money needed.
Strange as it may appear, the idea Of making
money from its representation did not in
| fiuence me in the slightest degree. On the
contrary, had fully determined To give the
proceeds Of such representations, after the
deduction Of the mere expenses Of the pro-
ductoD. TO the poor OF New York, and |
freely and fully announced my intention go
to do to every one who talked with me upon
the subject, as will be indicated by several
published interviews bad with me By repre-
sentatiYes OF the press.
| had also intended that the first represen-
tltion OF the play should be on Tuesday
evening, December 7th, 10 which | pur-
posed inviting tie clergy, the press, bar,
and municipal authorities; that no money
should be received for admission, Lut that
the performance should he given 10 those
only especially invited; that the audience
should he requested 10 refrain from all
demonstrations Of approval or dislpproval
until the close OF the representation, and
that those present should then decide
whether there should be any repetition Of
the performance. II such decision should
bave been adverse 10 its repetition no Ieeis-
laii0n or legal proceedings would have been
necessary 10 prevent it, for in such event
'hod determined instantly TO withdraw it
from the stage.
IL seemed, however, to be the settled de-
| termination to condemn lis production in
| loo, Il nf 70 NJ
Imuch moved bv :be sacredneSs Of the SUBJ
ject as any one in the community, and that
it was nv purpose TO have it treated only in
the most reverential spirit.
1t is my conviction that no man whose
business success depends upon the APP
proval aud patronage Of the public has
| right to represent that which is regarded
with disappIoyaI so positive and expressed
in terms 80 denuncalory as those which
greet the mere announcement OF an inten.
ton to produce the "Pa'sOn Play"
While, as have inlimaed, have always
entertained the belief that the representa-
ton would inevitably inspire feelings OF
reverence and awaken devotional emotions
rather than occasion the shock to the re-
ligious Sensbiliies anticipated, yet | feel
that have no right to set my single opinion
against that Of an almost entire community,
and thus 10 outrage any sentiment they may
possess, no matter how unjust | may con-
slider the existence OF such sentiment to be.
have therefore concluded not to produce
or give any representation whatever OF the
"Passi0n Play" HENRY f. ABBEY.
The following letter from Mr.. Salm
Morse, author OF the Passion Play" was
received Sunday:
NEW YORK. November %, 1880.
TO the Editor Of the HerdId:
Judge not by appearances, bur judge righteous
| jlOgmcnt.-St. John. Ill, "a.
Nv many friends having their sympathies
aroused at the abrupt termination OF "The
Passion" are urgent to have me explain
away all misrepresentation concerning it.
II is not in my nature, nor does the great
cluse which I advocate permit me TO treat
the wrongs Of life otherwise than forbear-
ingly. | have therefore determined 10 read
the composition in public--to give all OPP
poitunity TO Judge for themseyes-I N.Y.
self laeIIg contdeut OF the public verdict.
As soon as an eligible hall is secured l VIII
give notice OF the locality and date. Ny
compositiOn has been adversely dealt with
by those who have never beard or seen
if. drawing their differences from the play
af Ober. Ammergau. There is no COMPARE
son whatever between the two. The one
is crude shOw-piece OF centuries ago;
mine is composed for the advanced age we
live in. | shall read solemn, moral, rell-
gious, well.digested, devouf. and instruc'
tive composition, intended 10 live tie life
OF all classical literature.
In the hope OF your favoring me with
YOUR personal presence at the reading, and
Of giving this publicity in your columns,
am your obedient servant,
SALMI MORSE,
| tbe author OF " The Passion"