The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-14
DELAYED LUSrlCE.

An annual custom NJ tne university
of Notrs Dame on Laetare Sunday is
to award gold medal Of honor to the
Catholic layman who has best
distinguished himself in some civic and
intellectual direction. Considerable
comment has been occasoned by the
fact that the managers Of this in.
sttuton made the award for 1894 to
Augustin DAILY, the playwright and
manager. Although opinion has been
in the main conmendatory. there have
been chance expressions which suffic,
TO indicate that good deal Of the old
repuGnance to "msre player folk re-
mains yet to be overcome before there
can be sail to exist spirit of entire
fsreness toward one of the most
srduous, ex4cting and ill-reQuitsd Of
artistic pursuits. But the unreserved
recognition by q for emost Catholic
college of the breadth I'D significance
of Augustiu Days work carries with
it the infersntial recognition OF the
drama as whole and goes far toward
lifting the undsssrVsd odium which
old,time prejudice among both Protes-
tants and Catholics insisted upon
placing upon the minetic stage.
In this step toward sentimental jus.
ice the church has acted with unerring
discretion, both as TO the selecton
of the BENEFICIARY Of its token of honor,
and as to the time of such recognition.
In the entire list of American dramatic
factors no name is so intimately and
persistently connected with all this ele-
waiting and refining in our drama as is
that Of AuguStin DAILY Where other
managers. in many instances, have
sought TO attract temporary patronage
by frivolous or mPrstricious methods
Mr. Daily has laid down az the two
rules OF his life, artistic thoroughness
and fidelity, Upon that basis hs has
presented himself before the appreci-
ative portion Of the American people,
sometimes meeting with discourage
ment, often sustaining financial loss.
but always inhexible in his deiCrmiua-
tion to achieve the best results by the
truest and cleaneat methods. II reward
has been slow in coming it is al least
permanent when it does come; for,
while rival managers with cheaper
methods may shoot meteorically
athwart the theatrical iirmament, now
rising into brilliancy and anon sinking
into darkness and eclipse, Augustin
DAILY shines with steadily increasing
lustre az fixed star that today lights
two grateful contiusnts with the purity
Of its artistic effulgenc'.
In doing justice to this notably de -
serving career, the trustees OF the uni
versity OF Notre Dame have. it is be
lieved, builded broader foundation
than they themselves are aware Of
Theirs is lifting of the ban which
mas for centuries restsd upon the work
ers Of tho stage. 1t is the glimmer OF
dawninE appreciation which, as surely
as it brightens into general and psr-
manSnt sympathy. will inevitably ex-
net from the vothries Of the theater a
higher morality and loftier standards
Of individual character, upon penalty
Of oItracism and rejsction. For tho
anomalous spectacle Of great profess
sion bounded and doggod by public
sentiment until laxity OF morals and
indifference as to department have be-
como its second nature, the public it
self, not the profession, Is primarily to
blame. When there shall be the same
opportunities Of houest appreciation
aud polite recognition open to actors
that now extend before our lawyers,
teachers and doctors. there will OF ne.
cOsslty come lifting OF tho standards
Of conduct to higher and better plane
ind in this evolution society will
largely profit.