The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-11-29
THE PLAY IN POLITICS.
Showmen Were Cabinet Ministers Two
Thousand Years Ago.
From the Literary Digest.

from the Literary Digest.
Statecraft 1900 years ago, as every
reader of history knows, involved in many
countries exercise of the showman's art
as an important element of success. The
late Phineas T. Barnum would doubtless
have been put in charge of a cabinet port
folio if he had lived in Rome twenty cen
turtles ago, unless indeed the emperor had
cut off his had from fear of his popu-
larity, and the proprietor of several va
riety theaters who was elected to con-
gress in New York the other day might
have been honored as a great statesman
worthy of far higher tribute than that
just bestowed upon him. At least, one is
apt to indulge in such reflections when
contemplating the important part played
by spectacles and combats in the arena
in pacifying a restless people and dis
tracing attention from governmental
abuses. In Nordsjeren, Copenhagen, an
article appears descriptive of these shows
in Rome and of their political Importance.
We reproduce it as follows:
In Rome it was easy for an emperor
to make himself popular. The Romans
did not ask for liberty, reforms or educa-
ton, but only for panem ct circenses
Cbread and plays). The crimes of Nero
and Caligua did not prevent them from
being idols of the people. They were able
to invent new excitements, splendid per-
formances and costly entertainments, and
these views We're of more value than per-
sonal virtues The magnificent morals of
Marcus Aureius never atoned for what
people called his foolish weakness in de-
string to have the gladiators fight with
lances without sharp points and to have
netting stretched under the rope dancers.
IN the time of the rpublic there were
seven shows yearly, occupying in all six
tv-six days The state paid the expenses,
which averaged for each $4,000 During
the empire the number of days set apart
for such public shows was l73, and eX-
penses averaged 5000. Besides these
performances arranged and paid for by
the state, there were many pageants ana
magnificent displays rivalng them, got
ten M and paid for by private citizens
who sought popularity.
"Tbe spectacles usually began at sun
rfse and lasted to sunset, and consisted OF
three kinds OF performances: Races
gladiatoral combats, and lights between
animals and men. The gladlators were
usually prisoners or war OF crlIhlHais'
though many patricians and even emper-
ors exhibited their strength and skill In
the arena. The praises OF these were sung
bv the poets. and their portraits were eN-
biblted on lamp-posts and walls II n
Gladiator survived three years combats IN
Inc arera, he was delivered from his
gladiatorlal duties, and after Two more
800 service around the arena he was
set free. III.
Great posters and bills on the walls
and fences OF the city gave notice OF
coming fetes one such has been found
I'M pompeli. which announces that shelter
would BE- provided in case ~ rain during
the performance, another states that me
arena will boz thoroughly apnnhle4 70 keep
the dust down.
"On me evening before "a show The vol
.pt,,r glaHlhtors we're treated 90 great
fetr al aaybrrak 900 comDhtaniH mar hel
Iu proressl0n 40 fha arena. ana ihr Ton
bsran Nhtu the irumpetr sounded ih" tf-
nan Ths emperor. senators ana au aiai'