The Washington herald., 1908-04-07
The CoIumbia-.The CIansman."

The COlumbia-''The CIansman."
The Clansman, that stirring melo-
drama evolved by Thomas Dixon, jr., from
his novels, The Clansman," and "The
Leoperds Spots began its annual en-
gagement at the Columbia Theater last
night. with the usual large and enthusi-
astic audience in attendance.
1t is the story of the famous Ku KIux
Klan. and the task of the better element
of the South in overthrowing the carpet
bag governments which took advantage
ot the chaotic period following the civil
war, and in starting the States along the
right path OF reconstruction. It treats
directly on the negro question. and holds
that the placing Of the ballot fin the hands
Of and conferring the right of particlpa-
ton in the government on the ignorant
and irresponsible was the greatest politi-
cal fallacy Of those troublous times. In
fact, the whole thing is intended to be
plea for Anglo-Saxon supremacy. It
is not, however. without romance and
mysticism. for the mysterious mode of
operations Of the Klan, with the hair
tic material, and there are several pretty
love stories interviewer. that of silas
Lynch. the mulatto lieutenant governor.
for Elsie Stoneman, the daughter of the
Northern radical. aff0rding the author an
opportunity TO demonstrate the real hy-
poerisy of that class of radical reformers
who profess to believe in the expediency
NJ groutfner tho Froodr,o,, all .-.7f.f--r -
social rights. yet shrink from the crucial
test Of giving their daughters to them in
marriage.
The direct purpose of the play has
never been clearly apparent, and il has
been received with great favor in some
parts of the country, and has been
mobbed in others. Nor has the bounda. Y
between these conditions been marked
conclusively by Mason and Dixon's line.
II it is for historical purposes, 10 show
the conditions which resulted from the
greatest civil war in history It is all
right for those were certainly trying times.
and latter-day light on the Ku Klux KIan
has clearly demonstrated that it was or
ganized among the best element of the
South, and that its work was purely of
a patriotic nature, most Of the excesses
being afterward committed by its spu-
rious offspring. who, after the disbanding
of the original clan, used its name as a
cloak for its own lawlessness.
If ii is intended 10 throw any light on
the race question, it has clearly outlived
its period. The question Of reconstruc-
tion was settled TO the satisfaction of
the South, and the Ku Klux Klan dis
solved when its work was done. While
perhaps the issue is not dead. its COM
plexion is changed, and the heroic mode
of treatment necessary for former times
has no present place in the statecraft of
the situation.
The cast is considerably changed since
the last appearance here. and runs the
scale from mediocrity TO excellence. The
heroic role Of Ben Cameron is assumed
by Mr.. Franklin Ritehie. with impressive
fervor, and the opposite role of silas
Lynch Is equally well played by James
j. Ryan. Good character sketches are
presented by Barry Maxwell, as Nelse
the good old fashioned negro: by Charles
Johnson. as Dick: by NJ. J. Jordan. as
Stoneman; by Guy Hoffman. as DR.
Cameron. and Maude Durand. as Eva
the black nanny. Murray Wood ap-
pears in his old role OF William PITT
Shrimp. the reconstruction governor
Misses Violet Mersereau, Ruth Hart
Eugenie Hayden, Mae Burgess, and Edna
Davis gave beauty of presence and feni-
nine coloring to the play in their respect
i've roles.