Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1898-10-23
still survives and prospers on New
En- npland coil

The lesson in all this is that a pro-
posed reform which involves the de-
struction of some elemtnt of human
nature as an essential condition If it's
success, can never succeed. That the
dramatic instinct is as much a part of
human nature as the religious, the lit
erature of the world bears witness
If properly developed and applied, it
can be made valuable means where
by to portray wrong and It's conse-
quences or to strengthen loyalty and
love. Thus far efforts to uproot and
destroy it have resulted only in such
malformations tat the second estate
was worse than lie first.
We have been told that men, cross
ing the western plains before facil-
les for travel were as good as they
are now, having exhausted their store
of provisions, would gnaw the cank-
cred meat off the bones of dead ami
mails they found by the way. With
parching lips and blood-shot eyes,
the soldier often bends over a mirey
wallow and drinks of the stagnant
water that will soon make his suffer-
ing more intense. But human nature
demands food and drink and in the alb
sence of that which strengthens and
refreshes, men eat and drink disease,
perhaps death.
And this is just as true of man in
the moral and intellectual sphere as it
is the physical. If grossly ignorant or
deprived of wholesome food he will
eat and drink to his own undoing.
Once this is made clear it becomes ev-
ident that those who seek to elevate
the moral life of the world have grave
responsibilities concerning the thea
tire. The stage may be reformed, but
while human nature remains what it
is, l. cannot be destroyed. Some sort
of entertainment will be supplied in re-
sponse to that demand which has ever
found satisfaction in some form of
dramatic art
The moral without stupidity, and the
entertaining without vulgarity should
be earnestly sought and supplied.
Approached from the proper stand
point, and utilized as it might be, the
stage could be made most potent al
ly of the church
The commencement of the play here
interrupted my thoughts. Wilson
barrett, the English tragedian once
indicated to me fact that was made
very apparent during that play. 1t is
that there is little hope of reforming
the stage unless counter reformation
is affected in the public mind. AS
man sometimes betrays himself by the
manner in which he receives a story
of doubtful repute, so an audience in
dicates it's moral and intellectual stat
us by the parts of play it most Wig
orously applauds. The applause serves
as cue to both manager and actor
who, in the very nature of things, too
often seek to supply that which is de-
sired regardless of actual needs. The
result very often is deeper degreda-
tion of actors and audience alike.
There are but few stage managers who
would choose the worse of two plays
If the choice were left entirely to
them, and most actors sense the audi
ence before venturing very far upon
doubtful ground. 1t is very clear to
the shrewd observer that in pronounc-
ing adverse criticisms upon it's the
atres, the public really condemns it's
self. Bible readers are not put upon |
the stage for the same reason that |
newspapers are not given up more |
largely TO fine literary dissertations |
and sermons That is, in no uncertain |
way,the public indicates it's preference |
for more sensational and spectacu-
lar entertainment, exactly as it indi-
Gates its preference for the newspaper
that gives full reports of the latest
contest on the ball ground or in the
ring.
A wise prophet once wrote: And
1t shall be, as with the people so with
priest" There is a sense in which |
the stage is both cause and effect, and
the principle embodied in the proph-
etic utterance is just as applicable to
tie actor as it is to the priest.
However corrupting the stage may |
be 1T echoes public sentiment and de-
notes a popular demand. Verify to
reform the stage is great work and |
the laborers are altogether too few
FIRED.