The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1907-04-18
"The Clansman."
Thomas Dixon's Play Presented in
Henderson-Pleased the Audi
ence but Opinions Differ as to
the Merits of the Production.

Thomas Dixon's much talked
about play, "The Clansman," was
presented at the Grand Theatre Tues
day night. 1t was greeted by large
audience many persons coming from
distance, special train being run
from Oxford bringing 7Opeople. As
to the merits of the play opinions
differ. But judging from the frequent
aud hearty applause the audience
was we'll pleased.
To us 1.-The Clansman" was disap-
pointing. 1t is not the finished pro-
duct of the playwright that it has
been heraIded. Mr.. Dixon writes well
and he excels as IA lecturer, but he is
not Il dramatist. In "The Ciansman'
he has not produced a great" play
certainly not the ideal American
play that is destined to live. There
are some strong Misunderstanding
situations and thrilling climaXes-
but we do not think it can properly
be characterized as powerful play
by any means. But as it impressed
US its greatest weakness lies in the
character and temper of tie play.
There is no good purpose which it
can serve. 1t may please the crowd
but no good impression is formed, no
real beueft derived from it.
The only mission ''The Clansman"
seems to have is to make money for
the author and it's promoters. 1t has
been made notorious through the
industrious press agent alone-nOt
through any special merit Of its own.
But for the sensational publicity
given the piay-much of it without
foundation in fact-it would have at
tracted no more than ordinary at
tention and no protest would have
been raised against it's production
anywhere. 1t has been dignified by
too much notice being given it-mag
nified out of proportiO to its inn
portance-and its capacity for doing
good or evil ovnrestimated. The ma
ture of the play is not such as to
commend it in our opinion but there
is nothing in it to which any great
objection may be raised, 1t is Meth
er totally good nor wholly vicious.
The company presenting 1.-The
Clansman' here was IL capable one
although not Il particularly strong
acting company as whole. Above
the average perhaps but in the true
Interpretation of the characters es-
sayed and force and power of acting
the part we have seen as much his
trionic ability displayed in many of
the low price companies that visit
this town every season.
Deserving of special mention are:
Franklin Richie, as Ben Cameron,
The Clansman; Albert Andrus, as
Silas Lynch, Lieut.-Gov. of South
Carolina; John B. Cooke, as Austin
Stoneman, Radical Leader; Guy B.
Hoffman, as DR.. Richard Cameron, Il
Conservative; Charles Arthur, as Will
liam Pitt Shrimp, Governor of South
Carolina; Miss Claire Mcdowell, as
Elsie Stoneman, the Radical Leaders
daughter, and Theodore Kehrwald,
as Nelse, an old fashioned negro.
What is it that tastes as pleasant as maple
sugar and quickly relieves coughs and colds?
Mothers who have used it will quickly an
swpr: "Kennedy IS Laxative Cough Syrup"
The pleasant cold remedy that expeIs the
cold through it's laxative action on the bow
els Conforms strictly to the Pure Food and
Drugs Law. Contains no opiates. Sold at
Parker's Two Drug Stores.
Buy Buist's best seeds, at PARkER'S
TWO DRUG STORES.