New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-19
PATRIOTISM AT THE THE4TRgs
A RECENT AWAKENING IN THE AUDfEycu
HOW EASY 1T IS TO MAKE THEN
APPLAUD

There is an epidemic OF patriotism Just nov -
ing over the theatres The apparent absence Of N
sentiment among New-York audiences has onu
been remarked. A revival OF II Just nov 4 n
tered. no doubt. by foreign and domestic pouSd
complications. When the subject is thought Of n.
ousy II Is impressive and good ard reassurtns
see that. though Americans easy-going snd 4
not trouble themselves overmuch about small D.
liical worries yet when the occasion arises they
not forget that they Americans. and that IN
Americans means something. But the ste
hard. the manifestations OF enthusiasm are st Tina
distinctly amusing.
At any rate. II Is interesting to see how eay III
FOR the playwright who knows his tools to use thea
with the effect desired Apparently nothing mon
is needed than the utterance OF some patriotic
sentiment no matter how commonplace In ITSELF 10
draw a prompt and sure round OF applause from The
audience. In one OF the recent plays dealing viii
Cuba 4 United States Consul proposes to take 9
tain course Of action. Somebody else suggests that
It may not meet the approval OF the Adniashauaa
I'm this case" the Consul replies. 'ths Ainisstz-
ton is not The American people"
Thereupon the American people goes vM "a M
applause, the intention being. no doubt. Mnts@
congratulate the Consul on his noble stand aasses
on not being the Administration Then one aM
characters says: Whenever there is 10 be &s
struck for liberty you'll always. find one Of vssa
Sans boys ready to strike it." Again me hQs
shivers and rings with delight and the phiosossed
spectator is amazed to think how easy II must 10
write the dialogue OF play OF this kind The autAx
has only 10 make his people say such simple TING
as these. ana the applause Is as sure as the sunfk
But u he wants to send his audience into pss
tive del.rum OF JOY he has only to make rsetu
girl say or do something patriotic. In this n11
play little body Of troops IS seen approached
the nag OF free cuba from the place where Il 3
stuck in the ground and waves Ii above her heat
That Is all she does. and nothing but the limltatcl
OF space prevents the whole multitude from sust
ing on its multitudinous head with delight
This can be done. OF course like almost eve!'
thing else, In an ordinary way or in fine vV:
For an ordinary audience an ordinary way scs
enough, but playwrights OF high standing and rtrc'
tation do not hesitate 10 use the same tools II hT
feel thar they are the ones that are needed. y;
the stage the heart OF every GOOD girl is suppess
lover Let 1t never be thought that the stage
wrong in this. Now. II these two sentiments "a
be brought into combination or opposition OF mt
II helps the amatic effect greatly. This rule cis
So. az the end OF the battle scene in Shenandoah
the audience thinks that II is excited because Snss
dan has ridden past and The army Is rallynf, s1
that Is only a part OF IT, What really thrills ~
audience though II may not know Il. thai ~
Southern girl whose Northern lover Is In the BAL:
that her lovers country is her county, sno lns
his enemies IRE her enemies and has 1umPeo upos
the wall and shouted TO the rs,reatns sod'e" 70
turn back and not 10 be towards. -, r,.y.s
stage. and all sorts OF appeals to the psnous -
tlment q! the audience have constantly oeen m
Here much less Use has been made OF ne MAJ, rsSs
ana OF late years even the war plays na nav. IA.
scarcely any effort TO awaken fervor tn'ousI ,.s;a
tional pride or affection. The theatre CO.
gauge OF popular feeling and the present ressa. ,~
patriotic emotion among the audiences ma! e'"'
mean a good deal.