The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-04-24
THE CLANS|M|I,A||iN||| !.
WELL RECEIVED
LARGE AUDIENCE eREArIyEN.
JoYEo EXCELLENT PRoDuc.
TON AT THE GRAND.

| fe-eS6IIGNt PRODuC-
TON AT The GRAND.
A very Important blank In the list
OF the larger plays and more interest.
Ing productions appearing at the
Grand was filed last night BY the
presentation of "The Clansman," a
conglomerated mixture from the two
Thomas Dixon. Jr., novels. "Leopard's
Spots" and THE Clansman.'. to a large
and thoroughly attentive audience
which mingled Kisses with applauses
as the play appealed to the prejudfccs
of the individual.
The play is supposed to mirror cor
rectly the actual conditions that exist
Ell IN the South. and more particularly
In South Carolina. during the recon-
struction period after the civil war.
TO be more accurate. from 1867 to 1870.
] when the overthrow of the negro gov.
ernment In the Palmetto State was
. encompassed by the "ku Klux Klan."
IA band or organization OF the chival.
rous and home loving LILLY Whites
OF that State. The conditions as de.
.plcte,l by the plot are of such revolt
ling nature as to stir the white men of
any country to Is extraordinary and
harsh measures for the preservation
OF the most sacred tenets of Anglo
, Saxon society. but many readers OF
Dixon's books believe that he has with
consummate skill conceived a plot Of
/ sufficient import to lift race prejudice
ito high heaven and play upon human
! passions as one might upon the chords
iof the susceptible harp
AS a scenic production. 1t deserves
place beside the accredited first
class attractions which annual tour
the country. AS an interest produc-
ing vehicle. 1t is naturally strong be.
cause OF It's peculiar appeal to preju-
dice and passion. AS an historical
recreation. 1t is probably In major de.
tails. fairly accurate. But as play
with motive or n mission. 1t Is Inn
possible of conception. That 1t thun-
ders In the ear of prejudice was amply
established by the demonstrations
evoked when the more strained cli-
makes were drawn In last nights pre-
tsentation. Weak white men In the
audience hisseh the parts which pleas
ed the colored portion of the audience.
while these in turn applauded many of
the sentiments and actions most dis
tasteful to those Of the opposite race
who thoughtlessly allowed themselves
to be carried beyond reasons dominion
by surrendering to the Influence cre-
ated by Thomas Dixon. Jr.. and by fall
ing into n too deep sympathy with the
creatures of the novelist. rather than
with those of actual history.
There there were many features
which evoked intelligent applause.
Chfvalrous sentiments were often ut
tered. Women were shown wrapped
in the garments OF that herofsm which
will ever call forth Its full measure OF
admiration. Humor. rs 1t is born In
the real negro OF the real south. shone
forth time and agnin bubbling and ef-
fervescent and dressed in sheen with
which no other race and no other time
have ever been able to invent 1t.
The company presenting "The
Clansman" Is not of extraordinary
strength. Some of the parts are
.overlone. some underdone. Mr..
Bruce Richardson. who impersonnt-
ed Alec. the sheriff of Ulster, is an ac.
tor of ability and his work in "The
Clansmnn'' Is worthy OF high praise.
Mr.. Barry Maxwell, as Nelson. the plan
tation negro. loyal to his old master.
and Miss Maude Durand. rs Eve. his
wife, are delightful character imper-
senators. Mr.. James J. Ryan. as
Lynch. the lieutenant governor. while
part. is probably the most deserving
actor of the number who essayed
straight parts In the play as shown
last night. MIR. Franklin Richie, as
Ben Cameron. the particular hero. was
warmly applauded. partly because of
meritorious acting and largely be-
cause he said and did on all occasions
exactly what the major portions OF
his audience expected and what they
wanted to hear.
In order to. Judge accurately what
the thinking portion OF one OF the big.
gesti audiences that has been seem at
the Grand this year believes ot sSThe
Glansman would he necessaTyto %
analsze and Separated the hndi fence INTO