Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1906-10-16
WHY SHOULD
THEY FoRaETq
THE NEW ORLEANS STATES
DISCUSSES THE CLANsMAN
AS FOLLOWS.

Tne states nnds itself quite una
BILE to agree with those estimable
critics who have expressed the opin-
Ion that plays like "The Clansman"
should be barred from our theatres.
On the contrary. We are decidedly of
the opinion that II Is one OF the most
instructive and wholesome OF the
dramas that have been placed upon
the boards in this city for a long
time.
Its value lies not alone In the ar
tistic setting OF the play and It's cor
rect representation OF manners and
customs. but more especially In the
marvellous accuracy of It's historical
portrayal OF the most remarkable
epoch In the history OF the south.
Its tendency Is not In the direction
OF melting race hatred. and we dare
assert that II had no more to do with
the recent race conflicts In Atlanta
than II had to do with tina tropical
storm that swept over Mobile and
Pensacola. II Is neither wise nor pa.
triotic to forget the travail of a peo-
pie In the evolution and develop.
ment of a race OF nation. We have
nothing to be ashamed OF and moth
ing to apologize for in the course OF
the southern people during the ter
rible days OF war and reconstruc-
tion. There is nothing In the record
of that geat struggle that We can for
get or that we ought to forget.
In his great drama. "The Clans
man." Is portrayed with singular ac-
curacy and power, the situation that
existed during the era of reconstruc-
tion. II was one of the most disgrace
full periods in the history OF civilized
government. but OF that disgrace the
south must be adjudged by all unbi-
ased critics to be guiltless. She was
the victim and not the perpetrator
and by her magnificent fortitude and
indomitable courage and determin-
alton she saved this nation from the
curse Of mongrel blood. This, we are
aware. is a good deal to say, but had
the south not resisted to the death
the efforts OF hostile politicians 70
force social equality upon the people
the American nation woulc within
a hundred years from the close of
the war have been a mongrel nation,
a nation OF halfbreeds.
The south saved the white ciyili-
zation, and in the light OF the re-
suit achieved the terrible price she
paid for II has been more than JUS
titled. The high stakes that were
played for justified the Ku KIux
Klan and everything else that was
done to prevent the threatened de-
struction of white civilization In the
south and the ultimate Africanha-
tion OF our race.
Why then should we desire that
our sons and daughters should for
get the sacrifices that their fathers
made, the frightful price they were
forced to pay for the preservation of
our civilization? "The Clansman"
tells the story frankly and faithfully.
IL does not take IL up gingerly and
handle IL with gloved hands, but IL
tells IL In manly American fashion,
and II tells just what every American
citizen ought to know. II is great
educational play and we should be
glad to know that Il had been wit
messed and studied by every Amer
lean from fourteen to Atty years of
age in this country. We hope that
In New Orleans, at least, will be
witnessed by as many as may he
able to attend