The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-01
The ClansIIlai.
CThe Richmond Journal.)

(The Richmond JOurnaI.)
we cannot perceive the dire dam
gers that are supposed to Turk in the
Clansman as presented here last night.
We went to the Academy with grave
misgivings These were dispelled when
the last curtain went down.
The newspaper reports We had read
were indeed of the most alarming
character; but in the play itself we
found nothing to provoke domestic
brol or fierce racial strife. If the
newspapers will moderate the fury OF
their writer's imaginations, there will
be little danger to apprehend from the
play.
1t is a historical drama-tragedy if
YOU will-of tremendous force that de-
picts with cruel accuracy the condl-
tions i'm the South that resulted from
the criminal folly of Reconstruction.
1t teaches a great chronological and
sociological truth; it reminds the most
enthusiastic disciples of certain educa-
tional movements in the South of mis-
sionary. elp-the-heathen character,
that the spelling book and the first
reader will no more eliminate racial
differences than will patent medicines
or constitutional amendments make
white men of negroes. 1t reminds us
that the courage and despair of our
fathers alone preserved the integrity
of our race. and saved us from the
frightful abyss that reconstruction
opened at their feet and it further
reminds US of the South that IN pre-
serving intact this sacred heritage, the
purity of our race, which our fathers
handed down to u.s. We can listen To
no argument consider no compromise,
and put our trust in nothing except
God and our strong right arm.
The presentation of this drama i'll
: Il In
great influx of negro population that
is fast developing a serious race ques-
ton there, may serve to open the eyes
of the people and cause them to re-
adjust, if not reconsider their mixed
and haZy views on the subject of ra-
cial equality. Some of these are al
ready beginning to doubt whether
their abstract theories of. forty years
ago fit i'm very comfortably with their
concrete experience with, and obSer~
VationS of, the negro as he appears
among them today.
Experience and observation. coupled
with the reflection which this drama
must produce, may well bring the
South and the North into closer touch
and sympathy OH the race question.
When they realize the absolute truth
of the dramatic picture so powerfully
drawn, they may understand the ut
I
| cept in racial degradation. They may
| finally realize, as we have long done
| that from the nature of things there
can be no compromise on this sub
| lect and that the only salvation OF
the race lies in the absolute separa-
| ton.
| The race issue is not closed. 1t is
| idle therefore, to complain that this
drama opens it. The Clansman simp-
| ly defines it.
AS Mr.. Dixon justly pointed out
when called before the curtains the
Civil War made the race issue; and
his purpose is to point out the truth
concerning it, that the subject may be
seen AS it really is.
| The race issue in this country can
never be finally, fully, and definitely
settled until all the people of the
country understand it. For them to
do this they must be shown the truth
| 1t must be brought home to the OBJ
duriate as it was to Mr.. Stoneman IN
| the play. There are few more effec-
! tive mediums for disseminating the
truth than a powerful presentation on
| the stage.
We do not believe the issue is SO
acute that it is dangerous to present a
truthful picture of it, and no reason
ably intelligent man can read Mr.
| Dixon's books, or see his play and
doubt that he is terribly truthful and
| terribly in earnest.
For ourselves we have little patience
with the squeaInish timidity that would
| shrink from seeing portrayed on the
stage conditions that our fathers were
men enough to grapple with in their
stern reality and to conquer
Before. we saw the play. we were
willing for it to be played in the North
| but feared it was dangerous or un-
| suitable for the South.
| Now we would like for it to be
seen by every man and woman in
/ America.