Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-03-16
Theatres and Their Influence.

Y
Ecclesiastes, ill.,, /.
The place which the theatre occupies in
our modern society, whether we are to
stoutly defend its claims or humbly apollo
gze for its necessary evil-this is a ques-
tion which is always in the air 1t has ex-
cited almost as much controversy as relig-
ION, but while both parties have beer
equally honest they have not made much
progress toward an agreement
The popularity of the debate is one that
obtains with no other subject under dis
pute, for while the advocates Of the stage
speak from large personal experience
those who denounce it have generally had
no personal experience whatever. If the
ciergy,who motives are by no means to
be impugned, should see Mr.. Jefierson's
Rip Van winkle or Mr.. Irying'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 necessary for a man to visit
gambling dive in order to discover that
it is harmful, because it is universally con-
ceded that gam es of chance are an unmiti
gated evil and cannot be defended by any
show of argument. Dramatic representa-
ton has been wrongly classed in the same
category but assuredly 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 indi-
vidual.
What arc some of these effects and to
what extent are they to be deploredf There
il no reason why we should lay aside all
prejudice and preconceptions and judge
the case simply on its merits. We can al
WAYS afford to be fair and there is no good
ground for bsing unjust.
First, then, it is charged that actors and
actresses have code ofmorals of their own
and that there is degree of looseness in it
which is not to be tolerated. This Is at
least partly true, aud it is unfortunate that
it is true. 1t is very desirable that both
actors and actresses should be above re-
proach, but it is desirable that the men
and women who applaud them should be
above reproach also. If every actor were
Bayard the stage would undoubtedly be
different from what it is, but we are bound
to add that if every man in the audience
were Bayard society would take on
different complexion. The rule which Is
applied to the stage should be used else-
where, and it is not quite generous to spurn
an actor for course of life which ls-such
is the lsxity of public morals-easily con-
doned in other people.
There is no excuse for immortality any
where, neither on the stage nor in business
life. nor in the fashionable world. III, how
ever, q genuine crusade were to be under
taken and the attempt made to reconstruct
hum an nature it might be well to begin
W ith the stage, but it would never do to
end with it, and we venture to say that
we can name q score of actors and actress
es who would hail such movement with
enthusiasm, for good men and women in
profession ought not to suffer for the short
comings of the unworthy. This is true,
both behind and in front of the footlights.
We might refer to the late Mr.. Booths
a noble, selfsacrifcing, charitable and pa
triotic citizen as we'll as q great actor.
Take his life as q whole and there are few
in any profession who have exerted q more
manly and uplifting influence. He had a
great soul, and richly deserved not only
the fame be won, but also the respect of
the world which was so cheerfully and
abundaDtly given.
Actors and actresses are public property.
Whatever they do is known. If they have
faults or if they commit crime against ex-
listing customs it is at once spread broad
cast. A business man, a lawyer, doctor
may be equally guilty, bat his obliquity is
hidden. The world sees the worst side of
the actors character always, and forms its
judgement from that side; it sees the best
side ofevery one else, and frequently over
esti mates his worth. The actor can hide
nothi ng; other men in the community can
hide great deal.
We are defending no one by these state
m ems, but simply trying to tell the plain,
u nvarnished truth. The stage is nothing
more to us than one of the factors Of our
social life, which we would critlcise with
candor and aregard for the general welfare.
But we must needs be careful not to over
blame one class whose faults are made glsr-
ing 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. If this be true it is very
serious matter. But is it trues 1t is
question which each one must answer for
himself, and his answer should govern his
conduct. If thing is not wrong in itself,
then it must be judged solely by the effects
it produces.
1t is not merely the love of amusement,
but the actual necessity fit. which sends
most people to the theatre. A few hours
respite from business cares, and, so far as
women are concerned, from the harass-
ment Of domestic life, is very desirable aud
and in most theatres it can be had without |
injury. A hearty laugh at farce, an ev-
euning's nonsense which drags one ont of
the ruts of daily routine and forces one to
forget for the time being that the morrow
has heavy burdens, it is not only innocent,
but helpful.
We venture to declare that in this re-
gard the stage is accomplishing great good,
and fills place for which there is no SUBJ
stitute. Instead of abolishing it, if society
were itself pure enough to demand only
the best kind of drama, the theatre would
respond at once, for the manager is busi-
ness man, who mu please the public in
order to reap success. The theatre never
leads, but always follows its patrons.
They find there just what pleases them.
and are themselves responsible if the stage
falls below Dar
A clean play can harm no one, but an un.
clean play, and for that matter an unclean
anything else, whether it is found in poll
tics, in Jaw or in society, is not to be tol-
Grated. That is the only rule by which
our Judgement should be controlled. N.
Y. Herald.
Sinfully took the Cake.
A special from Slippery Rock says: "a
breach of discipline that would be funny if