The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-30
pROTECyION FOR lCTORS

PROTECTION FOR ACTORS.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. Dec. 2t- William J. Florcnce
said last night that he was opposed to the propose
law restricting the coming OF foreign actors to this
country. lilo thought Il prescription run mad
lie opposed putting any restriction upon the going
aud coming OF intelligence aud education. II
thor must be legislation, lot II restrict women of
accidental notorcty from going on the stage. aud
drive or the prizc-ilghtcr and the man who plays
the real burglar, blowing open safe In the pres.
ence Of the audience.
The above dispatch to The Ncw York
Tribune, coupled with n communication TO
the same effect TO the same paper from
Mr.. Joseph Jefferson, aiTordsindications OF
returning sense of reason In the mem
ben OF the dramatic profession. The
whole theory Of protection is wrong, and
like all enforced wrongs works injustice TO
all and upon all who are not protected.
This wrong and injustice were never made
more plain than in this attempt by Ameri-
can actors to protect themselves at the
expense OF English actors. II is Of u piece
with the law that puts heavy duty on Eng
lish books by English authors aud thus re-
tards and hindcrs the spread Of Intelligence
through chcapcncd books. Had the Romans
pursued such a plan in relation TO the
Greeks, or the latter TO the Egyptians
there Is no knowing how protracted the
period Of the highest civilization Of these
nations might have been. We have hith-
erio proiited by English plays and players.
They are the ripcncd products Of more
than two centuries Of continuous labor by
great minds from Shakespeare, Colly
Cibbor aud Garrick 10 Bouclcault and
Irving to make the English speaking stage
what il Is rs n means OF educating the
public, preserving our language ut lis best
and promoting tho cause Of general litora-
turc. II Is simply absurd for any actors to
attempt to plant themselves Individually
or as body against this stream OF civiliAa.
lion. To take from tho American stage the
actors Of foreign birth would bc 10 rob il
Of itsbcsi and TO go backagoncmtion would
take from II even Booth himself, who
owes 90 the unprotected works OF
Shakespeare all his fame aud whatever Of
fortune hg possesses Ills Endorsement OF
this native American theatrical craze Is
unworthy OF his genius aud his place on
the stage, and must bo due TO piquc at his
failure in England or To tho hold Barrett,
who Is playing the role Of the theatrical
dcmagogue, has on him. Mr. Jefferson
thinks the move uuwisc, but Mr.. Florence,
who haS had more extended experience
abroad than any American actor. chamc
tcrires Il rs prescription run mad" Thii
is not what is needed 10 purify the stage
but, rs Florence farther on says. tie ~
siriclion "oi women Of accidental nolorict,
from going on thcstngc," women like Mn
Potter and MrL Langtry who have moth
ing 10 recommend them but their Worth
made gowns aud their Observation-Disclosures
women who, 10 use yulgarism. "trayc
ON their shape" They should be driver
on he stage by the misses Of an iatc an,
outraged public, aud acton should unit
10 strike against any manager making ca
ragcmcnts with them. No really talcnic
actor or ACTRESS who i SURF Of him or hci
scli, or who has a proper pride In the al
yanccmcnt Of the stage, will for a momcr
lcnd themselves TO the inrlhcnncc Of th
movement, alains, English actors an
actresses. Tho stage has hitherto bee
fec, and Il should be- kept 10. II IL n
Republic In which all English spcakir
people have citizenship