The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-11-18


company, previous to the rise of the
curtain for the evening perform
ance, would reply in defense of the
stage and to the remarks of DIR.
Leftwich the night before. 1t was
understood, however, (Mr. Shine
having given assurance to that
effect) that there would he no at
tack upon DIR. I.eftwich; that Mr..
Shine would confine himself to an
explanation of Mrs. Hunts social
position ana private character, and
to defense of the stage. A great
many people were thus induced TO
attend the performance, who, if they
had known the turn affairs we're go
ing 80 take, would have remained
away. Some went out of curiosity,
of course, while others went to see
the play. At any rate, the hall was
crowded with brilliant audience.
Mr.. Shine appeared according to
announcement, wearing the conven
tlonal evening dress and bearing a
formidable roll of manuscripts,
which indicated that he was loaded
to the muzzle. He began by allud
ing to the use of Mrs. Hunts name
in the sermon, and to DR.. Leftwich's
explanation, which he said was sat
isfactory to Mr.. Hunt. He then
gave a history of Mrs. Hunt, in
which it appeared that she was
lady of good family, connected with
the church and personally known
to many southern people whose rec
ognition was cited as an evidence
of her social position. So far, Mr..
Shine kept within proper bounds
and nobody objected to his re
marks, albeit they were little tedi-
Gus; but presently be launched out
in an extravagant defense of the
stage, which was carried far beyond
the bounds of reason and propriety.
He compared actors to preachers,
eulogizing the virtues OF the former
and deseanting upon the frailties of
the latter. He said that sixteen
ministers of the gospel were cen
fined in the New York State prison
while not an actor was to be found
there, leaving US to draw the con
clusion that the stage was quite as
virtuous, if not more so, than the
ministry. He also made offensive
illusions to certain persons whose
mouths were filed with christian
precepts, but whose hearts were de-
void of charity, and tried to make
it appear that actors were entirely
above such hypocrisy. The drama
he is to be belieyed, it exercises
quite as good an influence as
the church. He wound up this dis
tas .eful discourse by an attack upon
DR.. Leftwich, putting false con
structions upon his remarks, and
then reasoning from a standpoint
derogatory to that gentleman. The
moral and religious sense of the au-
dience was shocked, and many who
would gladly have listened to con-
sentative and rational defense of
the stage, and whose sympathies
were to some extent with the
speaker at the start, recoiled with
aversion at his Incorporate har-
rague. We have given synopsis
of the sermon referred to, especially
the part referring to the stage and
TO Mrs. Hunt, in order that the pub
lie may see that DR.. Leftwich's ian
guage was strictly in keeping with
the requirements of his sacred vo
cation, and that the linking of Mrs
Hunts name with that of
Sara Bernhard was merely
an allusion to both as representa-
tiyes of the dramatic profession,
and in no sense an offensive perso-
nal association of the two.
That Mrs. Hunt herself, her hus-
band, her brother, and even the
members of the company should
feel sensitive at this use of her
came was quite natural and we were
quite in sympathy with the feeling
which induced them to seek an ex
PLANTATION. We also appreciate the
corps desprI which induces an act.
or to defend his profession when at
tackled, and we are quite prepared
ourselves to recognize the enlight-
ening influences of the legitimate
drama. A generous community,
too, entertained similar sentiments;
but there is no place for these when
the issue is squarely made between
the stage and the church of God.
The tinselled raiment of an actor
may be an honorable garment when
worn by gentleman, but it is not
to be compared with the livery of
heaven.
DIR. Leftwich is a man Of earnest
convictions, of undisputed piety; a
vigllant and faithful servant of his
Master, and as such he represents the
religious feelings and sentiments of
this community. Hence, when a
strolling player made an assault
upon him, the cause of religion was
insulted in his person. Taking this
view of the matter land the writer
is outside Of the pale of the church J
we are bound to regard the mouth
ings of this irresponsible person,
who Haunted. his himsy sophistry
anu hOA " III NOCSiNO III ShO l0OC VI
the Pulaski public Monday night,
as an insult to the community, and
we resent it as such. Mrs. Hunt
does not enter into the question a.
ali now. Our opinion of her as an
artistic and lady is candldly ex.
pressed elsewhere. The matter be
fore Us is one which involves the dig
nity, the influence and the character
Of the church of God, and the CIT
IzEN ranges itself on the side of
those who uphold and defend the
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