The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-12-27
THE PASSION PLAY.
Arguments Made Before Mayor Grace for and
Against Mr. Morse's Application
for a License.
New York World.

|
The announcement that Mayor Grace
would listen to arguments on the applica-
ton of Mr.. Salmi A. Morse for theatrical
license in order TO produce the Passion
Play" in q hall on West Twenty third street
brought large crowd of interested persons
to the City Hall yesterday. The hearing
began in the mayors office at 1890 a, m.
and among those. present were the Rev
Howard Crosby, Mr.. VIM. E. Dodge, Mr.
Howard Potter Mr.. Elbridge T. Gerry, Mr.
George w. Sane, Mr. d. Willis James, Mr.
James NJ. Brown, Mr.. Edward Patterson,
Mr.. Edward Dwight, Mr. Lewis L. L. Della
field, Mr. e. Randolph Robinson, Mr.
Stephen P. Nash and Mr.. Henry E. Pellew
Mr.. Morse was first called. He said that
all the horrors and agonies of Christ's pas
sion were eliminated from the play The
scenes that would be placed upon the stage
would be strictly historical, and it was his
intention to faithfully produce them. The
arrangements for putting the Passion
Play" before the public of this city were of
such character that there would be moth
ing of the attributes of a theatre
about the hall. There were to be
no galleries or proscenium boxes, or
the glitter and glare of place of amuse-
ment. There would be chorus of 400
voices and a large number of persons to
represent the multitude. These persons
had all been selected with every regard TO
their good moral character. Representa-
tions of the ark of the covenant, the
burning altar and the crown of Herod were
to be given.
tEWho will represent Christi" asked Mr.
Delafield.
"a Baptist minister" replied Mr. Morse
AN American of German descent, but
whose name do not remember"
DO you know if he has been regularly
ordained2"
Il do not know"
Whom will you have to personate the
Virgin Mary?"
"A very comely young Jewess and a
very excellent person who is admirably
fitted to assume the character"
Mr. Morse then went on to say that the
crown of Herod to be reproduced was
taken from a stone found in the ruins of
Samaria. The sceptre of Herod would be
seven feet long. The costumes of the
Modes, Persians. Babylonians and other
on the stage would be just
such as were worn in Christ's time Some
of the dresses had been dyed with peculiar
tints then in use but not now known. One
of the female characters, he said would
perform dance similar to one danced by
Eastern nuns on st. Johns Day. He had
seen this dance and he had the original
music. The dance consisted chiefly of
posturing and posing. He then had sew
eral newspaper accounts of the perfor-
nance of the nativity play read.
DIR. Crosby said that he did not question
the purity of Mr.. Morse's motives, but he
doubted the propriety of producing the
SO called passion Play" in New York
The question of allowing such a perform
Oh r. T..
seemed to him that the play would be
abhorrent to the feelings and sentiments o.
his Christian community. He did not
link that the performance of such play
and the rendering of scenes taken from the
Bible IN an unconsecrated hall and before
4 promisenous audience would excite the
hottest feelings of piety and devotion. The
newspapers we're opposed to the play, and
they represent public opinion and the pub
ic taste. 81 ann satisfied" he said, 'sthat
his performance will not serve public
morals, and I therefore hope that the mayor
viii not grant a license for the hall where
t is announced TO be given"
Mr.. 3. p. Nash also spoke against the
play. He said that the Hebrew race was
opposed to it's production. 1t would shock
If every creed. d
Mr.. Morse arose and exclaimed excitedly: |
L do not wish license to produce my
play. I am seeking license for the hall
where it is to be rendered. The gentlemen |
Who have spoken have condemned me and |
NY play unheard. I wish fair hearing |
ind fair verdict. If my play is defama-
DRY condemn it, but do not denounce it |
before you have seen it. / will give the |
irst performance complimentary to the |
members of the bar and city /
'ficials. and if they condemn it let it be
Mr.. Dalafield submitted an account pub
ished of the crowd of persons who |
newspaper advertisement for |