Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-04-04
TO ELEVATE THE DRAMA.

We have received some commune
cations from Mr.. Hugh Coye, who is
now I'm Chicago and who Will be re-
membered here as the promoter Of
project to advertise Utah, Colorado
and the West generally. by means Of
an exposition train, carrying their prod
ucts, literature and evidences Of prog
ress, 50 rs to attract the attention of
Eastern capital and colonists and aid
IN building up the country. He aimed
nj correcting popular impressions con-
corning Utah and its people, and being
a vigorous and gcntlemanly person.
with broad Views, fine address aud lit
erary ability, he thought he could do
good service In that direction.
AS he did not succeed IN that ven
ture 10 tho extent he desired. he form
ed u partnership for the purpose Of
promoting clean dramatic entertaln-
menis, free from control OF any syndl-
cate or oppressive combination. He
,nveighs very strongly against that
kind OF oppression and also against
the tendency OF the modern drama to-
wards loose morality. marital inidel-
fly and the use of language that is
not olevating in is character.
Similar sentiments were conveyed to
The audiences that attended the lee
lures by the eminent Shapespearian
actor Frederick Warde. In the Salt
Lake Thenter recently. and which
were greatly applauded. We have not
space for Mr. Coyles volumInous let
ters on these subjects, but will here APP
pend a letter he received from well
known minister, of liberal views. which
we cordially endorse. and wish Mr..
Coyle success In all his undertakings
'Hugh Coyle. Chicago. III.
MY Dear Mr.. Coyle--Your magazine
article on "Publc Entertainment" con
tanning reference TO sermon
preached some time ago on the drama,
came to me this morning.
II want to thank YOU for the whole
some tone of same; It Is strong aud
inanly--the instinct Of diversion Is an
integral part Of human nature--men
are but children of a larger growth
and we must have our hours VI
play as well as our hours of work.
Amusement Is not only q necessity
of our being, II Is our right--it is a
part OF the education Of the soul--and
for this reason believe the theater
when II Is true 10 it's mission, Ia a
tremendous force for righteousness, II
makes for the beauty and sweetness
of life.
But / agree with you that there has
been In recent years pathetic de-
generacy Of the drama--the cause Of
such degeneracy you know far better
than but Il should be the cardinal
aim of every man interested IN that
great work whose function II Is TO
touch life through the spectacle the
drama and other forms OF amusement.
10 purify Il of the sordid spirit that
has done so much TO dobauch and de-
grade one OF tho greatest and n0blest
OF the arts.
Soma day, not far away. I believe
the drama--in all its modes--will be-
come what II ought to be---the mighti-
est OF the worlds powers--lt Is the
most dynamic OF all the arts--and
should therefore be commanding in It's
influence over the consciences and
hearts Of men.
"The words YOU quote IN the above-
mentioned article as from me, are
those of a reporter. but the sentiments
are mine. I love the DIANA but |
weep over its latter-day concessions to
the lower tastes
'I long for the time 10 come when
4 will return 20 its mission as the
worlds most potent educator.
Believe me, very faithfully yours,
JOSEPH \. MlLBURN
Pastor.
There Is another evil IN the modern
drama which leeds to be reformed,
that Is. the use of low and often pro-
fame language. Oaths that would
shock everybody hearing them in de.
cent society have come TO be permlssi-
Die on the stage and usually provoke
laughter instead Of disgust. "My
Cod" is interiected almost at every
possible occasion and curse-words ara
sn frequent as to lose their force. ex-
cept TO excite loathing, unless 1t b.
among low-loved people The fault
IS not with the performers. but with
the playwrights The New York Her
Md not long ago contained some cor.
respondence on this subject Referring
specially 10 a popular play, which we
need not name. 1t said
In ~ aiay there are all classes