Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-04
THE OTHER SIDE.

How Americans Have Treated Bernhardt.
A countryman of Sara Bernhardt writ
ing to the New York Sun declares that her
alleged immoralities have been most SEN
sationally exaggerated and thus rasps the
American public for the manner in which
they have treated her:
Since her arrival in this city the entire
country has been inundated with pnblica-
tiOns, in which, with brazen impudence,
ISLANDERS admitting Of the easiest refuta-
ton are spread broadcast before the eyes
of the public. The gross appetite of scan
dal lovers is tempted by all the means
known to modern advertising. What
strange appetite.
The second day after her arrival she saw
in Broadway huge wagon covered with
advertisements of tho AmOurs Of Sarah
Bernhardt.'. She was so hurt that she
was for returning to France by the next
steamer, and only the remonstrances of
friends prevented her doing SO. She was
seriously minded to throw up her Ameri-
can engagement. But the most character
istic part of the affair was that, when she
expressed her indignation to her manager
he told her that she had no redress no
action would lie in the courts. And this is
the fact, it appears. Is it not regrettable
fact ?
An American Journal recently satirized
its compatriots Oh the demonstrations
with which they welcome European artists
the ringing of bells, the roaring of can
non, the whistling of4OcOmOtives, the cleo.
trio lights. The journal had facts to go
on. But there is one thing which renders
these honOrs still! more astonishing, and
that is the case by which they are replaced
by insults. Too much calcium light, and
too much abuse Much better discard
both the one and the other
In the first rank of the sentiments OH
which the national spirit of this country
pridcs itself, and with good reason, is fear
of the personages who dominate public
opinion, and who may therefore be tempt
ell to abuse the favor of the people. It is
this sentiment, am told, which has given
rise to the tradition under which, as soon
as a citizen achieves a too brilliant personal
popularity, he virtually falls under sus-
picion and never attains power. This
may be very we'll in politics. But the
friends of America cannot help pointing
out the danger of applying this rule to all
celebrities.
In any case, it is assuredly this scnti-
ment which makes the American people
always lend a ready ear whenever tho pro-
priety Of throwing mud at great .men, at
tacking the character of any one in whom
they recognize certain superiority, is
suggested. The Athenians banished Aris-
tides because they were tired Of hearing
him called the Just and the Athenian re-
public perished for lack of great men.
The authors who write books on the dan
gerOus tendencies in American life ought
to devote chapter to this subject.
In the present case it is certain that the
evil has its source among these dangerous
tendencies. 1t is because he had accepted
without distrust, and even with pleasure,
all the absurd accusations brought against
this woman, that an American gentleman
thought it wholly natural and proper for
him to send her the other day a costly set
Of diamonds, with the following note {:
eff the jewels please you, let mo know,
at the address given below, the hour at
which you can receive me-"
If the scoundIel could have seen the
tears of indignant rage which his insult
provoked, his face would have flushed
with shame, whatever may be the bru-
tality of his sentiments.
AuOIACI AuCAlChu ScA1AOA.Attu SCAO a uio-
patch to the artistic asking naively whether
she was interested in the sale Of an obscene
libel of which she is the subject, his idea
being to form partnership with her He
must have been rather astOnished at get
tisg in response a telegram from Mile.
Bernhardt's agent, saying that legal pro-
ceedings had been taken against the libel
ers and that any one who should associate
himSe1f with them NJ, initiate them wOuld
get the same treatment.
If men of this stamp, or even those men
who by reason of intellectual laziness do
not reflect, would give themselves the
trouble to obtain little very simple infOr-
nation and to open their eyes, they would
ascertain that the defenceiess stranger who
is being abused in fashion SO revolving is
not only woman endowed with cxtraor-
dinary talent and energy, but also charit-
able woman, devoted friend and mother.
If her private life is not free from faults,
this is her affair and not that of the gos-
sip mongers.