The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1905-09-28
"THE CLANSHAN."

who is also author OF "The Leopard's
Spots" has been we'll received through
ont the South. And now Its draml1i-
zstion BY the author has created quite
sensation. The play was presented
for the first time III Norfolk, Friday
night, Septen Der %.
To say that it was enthusiastically
received and that its author was given
an ovation would be putting it mildly
indeed. Already it has been pro-
nounced the greatest play on the Amer
lean stage. Speaking of the play and
its great reception just alter the cur
tain feel Friday night, the Norfolk
Vlrginian-Pilot said: con a tour
through the South The Clansman'
will be like runaway car loaded with
dynamite"
.The Clansman" is a great success
and if Mr.. Dixon had done nothing
else remarkable, the book and the
p!av would make him famous.
The editor of The COMMONWEALTH
had the pleasure OF witnessing its first
presentation and enjoyed it as much
as any one of the two thousand who
gave welcome to the new author and
his unique play. We cannot give
even a synopsis of the play-space is
too limited. Its clear and convincing
lesson throughout is white supremacy
and the deep seated conviction OF the
Southern people from the days d Re-
construction that the while people OF
tie South must rule their part OF tie
country.
Whoever has read Mr.. Dizon's book :,
"Ihe Clansman," can read every act
OF the play as readily as the printed
page. It opens with rush and con-
t;nues as such throughout. The first
act shows election day in South Caro-
lima in 1867, when for time it SEEM
ed that the whites were completely
overcome by the Northern carpet bag
gers and the negroes they inclted
to political madness. The parts are
all admirably chosen and splendidly
sustained by the actors.
The play Is IN four acts and just be-
fore the rising OF the curtain for the
last act, there were loud and con-
tiauous calls for Mr.. Dixon. He
finally appeared in front Of the curtain
The cheers and enthusiasm with which
the play thus far had been received
were outclassed for the moment when
Mr.. Dixon appeared in person before
the splendid and cultured audience.
Daring the great ovation the lace OF
the brilliant author aud "platiolm
king" as be has been called, Was
Wreathed in smiles which were evil
dence that he ieIt it one OF the
proudest and most triumphant mo.
ments Of his life.
When quiet was restored so that he
could be heard be spoke calmly and
briefly OF the play and its purpose
He said in part:
81 want you all to know how much
l appreciate the wonderful reception
you have given my play tonight. !
want to thank You fer the players, the
management and for myself. Fol
fi:ty-two years Unc!e Toms Cabin has
rnaligned the south and / can only
hope that "The Ciansman' may last
that long and accomplish as much fol
the other side of the great question.
''My ol'jec. is 10 teach the north, the
young north, what it has never known
--the awful suffering Of the white maa
daring the dreadful reconstruction De
Rod. l believe tina: Almighty G q
aaointed the white men of the SOUTH
by their suffering during that tire I'M
III stately alter the Civil war to dem
orstrate to the world that the white
man must and shall be supreme.
"To every man of color here to-nis hi
1 want to cay that net fer one momen.
would l do him an injury. 1 want
10 show to the negro world what ha:
Ieen endured by the white man at the
hands Of some of his brethren and te
let all fhe people know what the great
clan that protected the south reall,
was. l have nothing but the best feel
lug for the negro and I hope that il
the future he shall find the great enc
10y which he Was intended in the high
est, poblest aud hottest work God ha:
Ujvon hi,n-fitfinv b.roOolf fo- .ho r.!