Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-02-27
THE "PASSIONPLAY"
A Dress Rehearsal of the Piece at the
Residence Of Salmi Morse,
Stopped by The
Police in the Middle Of the First Act
and the Author Arrested
An Appeal Taken.

NEW YORK, February pa large num-
Der Of people assembled Saturday night at
Saint MoTse's residence to witness dress
rehearsal of the Passion Play. All the seats
we're occupied. A large crowd gathered in
the street. A strong forcs Of police were in
side the building in citizens dress, and many
in the street. Policemen were also at the
stage door. While the scenes were being
fixed close committee discussed the proba.
biities. Later Morse and his counsel APP
peared, followed by PoliceCaptain Viii
liams. The captain announced that as soon
as the curtain was raised he would arrest
Morse, and il the performers persisted in
setting he would arrest them. Morse stated
that il wac his intention 10 proceed with the
performance and abide the consequences.
"This lie my residence," he said, 81 live here,
cook, eat and sleep here. 1t Is not theater.
have no theatrical license. have ss much
right TO invite my friends TO com, here and
witness this rehearsal as Vanderbilt would
have to invite guests 10 witness a dramatic
performance in his residence, and you have
no more right to interfere in the one case
than you would have in The other" MoIss's
counsel also denounced the proposed arrest
as an outrsge on The liberty OF the citizen.
APRETTY GIRL,
to represent the "Virgin Mary" bantered
Capt. Williams TO take her 10 prison
substitute for Morse. When the scene was
set, the stage was cleared of all but those TO
take part in the rehearsal. "Samar," "Caia-
phas," "Johap, the Prophecies" Joseph"
MARY" the Assyrians, Lsviies, and the
multitude took their places, and everything
was pronounced ready. The curtain went
up, disclosing the presentation of the cham
Der of the Temple. The orchestra began
al IL al saI-o al
leading singer, the "Son" followed, and the
house was hushed. As the SQUAD of the song
died away, "Csiaphas" advanced, holding
aloft the scrolls upon which the law was
written, and delivering recitation. The
chorus began to sing the reply, when Capt
Williams issued from behind a pillar OF
the Temple and
ARRESTED MORSE,
who stood near him. The performance az
once stopped. MorSe's council was loud in
denunciation Of the outrage, and chorus
OF 'ShameW came from the people. He
called upon them to witness that the per.
Torrance had been stopped in the middle Of
a sacred scene. Chas. r Thorne, sr., stated
that he witnessed the Passion Play in Califor-
mia, and il contained nothing blasphemous
or sacrilegious. Morse said he had been ar.
resled becsuse he wss no. giving an immoral
performance. 10 response to a call from
Morse's counsel, who said the police could
not arrest them for it, the performers sang
the "HalIelujah" chorus, the curtain was
rang down, and the rehearsal ended. Morse
was taken 20 the staiionhouse, the charge
being, giving a theatrical performance with
out license. His friends gave $500 bail, and
Morse appealed from the Police Court.
Yesterday, when he was before Justice
D0ffy on the charge of producing the Pas
sion Play without licence, Capt Williams
was the only witness. His testimony went
m srely to show that portion of the play
had been produced. Counsel for Morse pro-
posed to bring a number of clergymen as
and asked postponement, which
was granted. A further hearing will be held
in the Court of Special Sessions tomorrow.