The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1894-04-11
Are We To Defend Its Claims or
Humbly Apologize for
It's Existence.
II 10 Not the Love Of Amusement,
But the Necessity oft That
Catches Us.
INNOCENT AND HELPFUL.

apologize for il as necessary evil-this
is aquestion which is always in the AIR.
1t hasexcited almost as much controversy
as religion, but while both parties have
been equally honest they have not made
much progress toward an agreement.
The peculiarly Of the debate is one
that obtains with no other subject under
dispute, for while the advocates Of the
stage speak from large personal expe-
rience those who denounce it have gen.
orally had no peiso lal experience what
ever. II the clergy, whose motives are
by no means to be impugned, should
see Mr.. Jefferson's Rip Van Wrinkle or
Mr.. Irving's Beckett, and then declare
that the spectacle lowers the moral tone
OF the audience, we might differ with
them in opinion, but their Judgment
would deservedly have exceeding weight.
1t is not nee, ssary for man to visit a
gambling dive in order to discover that it
is harmful, because it is universally con-
ceded that games of chance are an
unmitigated evil and cannot be defended
by any show of argument. Dramatic
representation has been wrongly classed
in the same category, but assnredly it
does not belong there. The drama is
not essentially evil, and must therefore
be criticised by the effects it produces on
society and the individual.
What are some of these effects and to
what extent are they to be deplored?
There is no reason why we should not
lay aside all prejudice and precon-
ceptions and judge the case simply on
its merits. We can always afford to be
fair and there is no good ground for
being unjust.
First, then, it is charged that actors
and actresses have a code of morals of
their own, and that there is degree of
looseness in it which is not to be toler-
ated. This is at least partly true, and 1t
is unfortunate that 1t is true. 1t is very
desirable that both actors and actresses
should be above reproach, but it is
desirable that the men and women who
applaud them should be above reproach
also. II every actor were Bayard the
stage would undoubtedly be different
from what it is, but we are bound to add
that il every man in the audience were a
Bayard, society would take on different
complexion. The rule which ia applied
to the stage should be used elsewhere,
and IL is not quite generous to spurn an
actor for course OF life which is-such
is the laxity of public morals-easily
condoned in other people. {
There is no excuse for immortality any
where, neither on the stage, nor in BUSH
ness life, nor in the fashionable world
II, however, a genuine crusade were 10
be undertaken and the attempt made to
reconstruct human nature it might be
well to begin with the stage, but it
would never do TO end with 1t, apd we
venture to say that We can name score
OF actors and actresses who would hail
such movement with enthusiasm, for
good men and women in profession
ought not to suffer for the shortcomings
of the unworthy. This is true, both
behind and in front OF the footlights.
We might refer to the late Mr.. Booths
career in illustration OF this fact. He
was a noble. self-sacrifcing, charitable
and patriotic citizen as well as a great
actor. Take his life as a whole and there
are few men in any profession who have
exerted more manly and uplifting in
Auence. He had great soul, and
richly deserved not only the fame he
won, but also the respect OF the world
which wasso cheeriully and abundantly
given.
Actors and actresses are public prop
erty. Whatever they do is known II
they have faults or if they commit
crime against existing customs II is at
once spread broadcast. A business man,
a lawyer, a doctor may be equally guilty,
but his obliquity lis hidden. The world
sees the worst side of the actors char
acter always, and forms its judgment
from that sdegit sees the best side Of
every one else, and frequently oyer-esti-
mates his worth. The actor can hide
nothing; other men in the community
can hide great deal.
We are defending no one by these
statements,ibnt simply trying to tell the
plain, unvanished truth. The stage Is
nothing more 70 us than one OF the fac
tors OF our social life, which We would
criticise with candor and a regard for the
general welfare. But we must needs be
careful not to overblame one class whose
faults are made glaring by circumstances
and ignore the faults Of other classes
who have the opportunity TO conceal
their misdoings.
Second, it is charged that the theatre
is an unwholesome stimulant which
cannot fail to do injury. II this be true
1t is a very serious matter. But Is IL
true2 IL iss question which each one
must answer for himself, and his answer
should govern his conduct II thing
- n-as-.- 49,