The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-02-14
1T IS AN AID TO MORALITY T
Sir Henry Irving and Madame Sarah
Bernhard, Both Give Express
r. sion to Their Opinion. .@.,.a
. "a K G.@ , 4" w. f.. 49,
CONTINUED from last issue.)

III 'h%ntAN 17, LIZ S@~AAPA$ ~ ~ ga 1AAS
arts which beautify life Where
as library, a picture-gallery, or a
concert hall, each enthroning its re-
spective art, has each its particular
admirers" she says, the theatre by
the service Of literature, the fine
arts, aud music, has a stronger
claim upon the human sympathy,
and thus obtains a wider hearing"
In the dramatic art she discovers
"the supplement of history and
philosophy, and a powerful aid to
the development of the love of the
good and the beautiful 10 which
history and philosophy introduce
US" She writes further"
"The theater has been instruc-
tive from all time, and it is ever the
scene of progress, revolutionary,
artistic, and poetic. The theater is
the most direct and simple medium
of fresh ideas on philosophy, moral
ity, religion, and society.
II believe that this century,
which seems to be the era of lib
erty. has many surprises in store
for us, and the theater will be the
medium of such surprises. When
the time is ready for the fruition of
an idea which has been slowly and
silently circulating in the hearts of
reformers, it is the stage which is
the scene of its exhibition to the
world.
"Cest lie ridicu1e qui tue and
this power of presenting the ridicu-
lous as well as the baleful side of a
system is sure means of gaining
the support of the public for its re-
form. Victor Hugo said: Never
should the people leave the theater
without taking away with them
some profound moral lesson This
thought is the inspiration of all
idealists, for the stage should be
the great school of morality which
the lessons of life appeal to all.
IF writer's were more in accord
with Victor Hugo's ideal, we
should not see SO many pieces
which do so much harm, as they
tamiliarize the mind with the vice
without showing its immortality.
"The immortality does not in my
mind, consist in what it represents,
but in the confusion of ideas which
1t causes. When any young man
says at the close of a piece, I end
by not being able to distinguish
vice from VIRTUE you can be sure
that it is a bad piece, for is it not
the duty of art to show the moral
teaching?"
The theater, declares Madame
Bernhardt, is "a need of all nations,
of all races, Of all beings" She
adds:
"One must love the theater. All
young and vigorous races love it.
Look at young America--she
adores the theater and the theater
loves her. All celebrated artists,
all litterateurs and Interpreters of
art drift to that land of liberty,
beauty and life. know that manv
people say that when there we pick
ed up more dollars than laurels; but
they are mistaken, it is quite a
false idea. The Americans are
good judges and reckoners, and
they do not cast away their money
recklessly upon litterateurs, must
clans, and dramatists without an
adequate return for their money;
and they are devoted to the theater.
They are the ever-rejuvenating pub
lie. They form endless audiences.
The great cities are countless, the
small towns are larger than our
great towns-and they represent
the youth, the enthusiasm, and the
force of fresh blood. They never
hesitate to rush at a new emotion
they never weigh the for and the
against The fact is everything
they see first and judge after
ward; and they return constantly
or never come back again, accord