Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1907-02-07
R PROSTITUTED.

"Whither are we drifting is a ques-
ton that is sometimes propounded, at
regular intervals, and relates in it's in
ception to questions of public morals
or public trend, and usually behind it
is q somewhat pessimistic spirit. But
not so with what we shall have here to
say.
The immense amount of space de-
! voted to the minute details OF the
pending trial of a degenerate who
murdered a reprobate in New York by
the metropolitan press has created
much comment in respectable circles
all over the country. The e York
newspapers have been devoting pages
almost daily to the Thaw case, presum-
ably to supply the demand of the New
York reading public with this character
Of more or less questionable litera-
ture.
This is not a matter of wonder when
the attitude of what is supposed to be
the representative element Of theater
patrons of New York is considered in
he light of the recent presentation of
OscarWiIde's infamous play" Salome."
This was first offered to Sarah Bern
hardt, who has made a reputation for
appearing in some broad and vicious
productions. She declined the offer
upon learning from the author that he
had striven to turn out something
'tcruel and sensual" The author him.
self, though possessing a brilliant in
~tellect, was totally devoid of moral
s~ensibility, and with such a purpose as
he acknowledged in the production OF
the play it was natural to expect a
thoroughly brutal and coarse work
from him.
The play is grossly immoral and seeks
to encourage the taste for the vulgar
and the brutal. It is a horrible per-
version of the Biblical story of Herod
and the daughter of his brothers wife.
The play is not only indecent, iniqui-
tous, and disgusting, but it is al
so a malodorus musical muck-heap
founded on the depraved imagin-
ings of a degenerate author. We are
not particularly concerned with the re-
ports in the New York newspapers that
a large and representative audience sat
through the whole coarse performance
and gave evidence of a high apprecia-
ton, though be it said to the credit of
the directors of the Metropolitan Opera
House Company, that they ordered the
presentation discontinued in that play
house.
Neither are we concerned with the fact
that the taste Of New York opera pa
irons is such as to encourage those who
are financing the thing to make ar
rangements to nave it presented else
where in that city. But there is another
phase of this matter which is more far
reaching and more deplorable than
New York's perverted ideas of drama
tic art. 1t is the fact that one of the
greatest has set a vicious
and filthy play to divine music.
Referring to the musical element in
the production, a well known critic
says:
"From beginning to end Wilde's play
is swallowed in the music. It is as
ShoSSA C"o ~ PO"OA "
Strauss had melted it into tones. AL
that Wilde's words would summon The
music summons with tenfold express.
iveness. In vividness of d~elineation
characterization and suggestion i
seems to transcend the limits of tones
as Strauss himself-and none other-ha.
hitherto set them. The ~eloquence, tn,
vividness never flag. They are 1ikt
/ almostincredibly intepsified, incredibly
luminous, incredibly commanding
speech"
And the sadness oft al1-thesplendid
genius of a mind rich in the imaginative
faculty, but singuIarly wanting in mora
~sensibility, and the masterful talent O
a giant of melody elaborated in {
vicious, vulgar stage production cater.
ing to a depraved taste and a brutal in.
stinct. IT'S a Oppressive spectacle O.
art degrading itself and its votaries, EN-
ploying its seductive ~allurements to aid
and popularize a dramatic cesspool, the
polluted conception and abominabIe
execution of pervert. Strauss a partner
in this stage representation which ought
to make the real artist hang his head in
shame! Howmany objectionable sins
are committed in the name ofart!