The sun., 1909-11-07

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Of palms. Immediately after this Mr.. Nor
gan presented Gov. Hughes, who said:
SPEECH or GOV. HUouEs.
! am very glad OF the opportunity to
join with you In coneratulating the city or
New York upon this enterprise. 1t marks,
in my Judgment. an important step In the
progress OF this city which We so much love
We are gathered here to-day not simply
because a new theatre has been provided.
not simply because Of its rare beauty and
perfect adaptation. not simply because OF
the skill and fidelity OF the workmen who
have made il possible. not simply because OF
the distinction OF those associated with tnis
enterprise. but chiefly because OF the nne
purpose which has animated the men who
have founded this institution. iAppiansei
This is not dramatic club. II is not In
tended to be for the entertainment OF the
few. Its purpose is not 70 provide exclusive
privileges. This should be regarded as the
peoples theatre lapplausel. making an
appeal TO the Intelligent public; and It
shonld be generously supported by the
public. We cannot conceive OF q state Of
society in which the dramatic instinct OF
our nature should not have play. IL 10
impossible TO view otherwise than with
solicitude a careless and indifferent atti-
t,lde on the part OF the int nteliiReht members
OF the community toward dramatic repre-
sentation, In sristocratic ommuntties
the great Importance of having adequate
opportunity for the development OF the
fine arts and for the encouragement OF the
drama has been abundantiy recognized.
but that development and that encourage
ment are far more necessary IN democratic
America than In any sristocratlc COM
munity. We want to have prosperity and
wide diffusion OF prosperity. but in order
that prosperity aud material gain shall
not prove q curse instead OF blessing we
must do all We can to promote the refining
influences OF life-proper means OF recrea'
ton. wholesome enjoyment. the cultivation
OF those capacities for delight and pleasure
which alone make the gains Of prosperity
a blessing to the human soul. lAppiause.l
Ayye are soIicitous that with the growth
of our city there should be abundant park
space. that there should be Fairgrounds
we are desirOus Of making inroads la the
congested sections OF our cities. so thar ouT
youth may be more wholesome. aud that
there will be something corresponding to
the fine advantages OF tue oountry In c0O-
nection with our childhood life in our city,
BUT we must 20 further than we have IN
that direction. but we must also recogniHe
these influences which make leisure profit
able: and. after all the gains OF industry
have been realized, tend to make life some
what worth living 70 the Ioiler. We want
all our people. everybody. OF whatever
condition or circumstances. to desire 10 be in
dustrtous, getting a. fair reward FOR hones
labor. and then having In our great com
mu nity chance to have The best thai stage
and museum and a lemy can AFFORD u
we are to accomplish that purpose the pro-
motion OF fine arts, The encouragement o
the dramatic art cannot be left simply TO ths
incentive OF cupidiiy
This establishment. { undertake to say
would not properly he conceived Of as a
protest. it il not here TO protest. TO oppose
IL is In no sense ia King an attitude Of antag'
ouism. It is like any good thing, IL will
prosper on It's merits. aud its influence vii
permeate the community In a wholesome
manner without any express didactic effort
IApplausel The stage has always been q
great Instructor. but 1t has succeeded best
when it, instruction has NOT been explicit
but implicit. No trouble with the view OF
art that II reflects life. IL only it deals, not
with museum OF abnOrmalty, but reflects
thoses W ho lesome currents OF life In life ~ q
whole in which thank Heaven. goodness
ever predomhstes and progress Is ever
sure. tApplsuse.l
so we welcome this institution to-day
because by the foundation that has here
been provided by men OF means there will
be an opportunity for the drama which
solely TO be occupied by those who were
impslIed purely by commercial considers-
ton. and We are content TO believe that WIKI
actors well trained. with companies vel
provided, with excellent management and
the representation OF the drama according
TO its best traditions, a sure appeal will be
made TO the intelligence Of the city OF New
York. and this may be regarded as bene-
faction worthily described in the words
- M tad In ha
aud to the citizens Of New York.
Senator Root was the next speaker.
He said:
ADDRESS oR SENATOR ROOT
The opening Of this New Theatre is an
interesting, important and laudsble act
| II any regard this a. a mere extension OF
opportunity for fashionable amusement
| they are mistaken. We have greater
amusements and galleries OF paintings.
Of sculpture and pottery and metal work
and tapestry. We have endowed conser-
vatOries of music. Our national and State
and municipal governments are great
| educational and religious and buaines "a
| institutions. All freely expend vast sums
In excess OF the requirement OF utility
| ia the buildings they erect in order that
| architecture may present to the constant
vision OF mankind enduring forms OF dig
| nifty and beauty.
| Our great cities freely sxpend public
| money in order that the landscape gardener
by his art may reproduce and combine
| the beauties OF nature. Our great libraries
erected and supplied at vast expense. plsc,
the treasures OF good literature before
the people. who are not satisfied merely
by the best sellers. All this Is becsus,
we have learned that although conflicts
| Of Intelligence and selnshness furnist
| the essential means by which civilization
makes its progress, although self-snpport
makes for the sturdlness OF character
that charity tends to weaken. Never
theless in the neld OF art the pursuit o.
profit ptops short of the nnal steps which
at any given time are possible for the de
velopment of ar, and the cultivation o
taste.
The esLa blishnsnt Of this theatre. founded
by private munihcence. imbued with pub
lie spirit, Is In recognition Of the fact tha
this same rule which applies to all othe
arts applies also to the art OF the actec
drama, a. the French learned more thar
two centuries ago in founding the Comedi'