El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-04-08

TT would be almost impossible TO eX-
aggerate the merits Of the film
- production, THE Birth Of a Nation
as a representation Of the marvellous
efficiency reached in pictorial presen
tauon. IN this respect its promoters
deserve praise Tor its pertectness and
elaboratenass Of detail. on the other
hand. the production cannot be defend
ed upOn ITS extensively claimed pur-
pose Of allaying the passions engen-
dered by our civil war. as on the con-
trary its obvious tendency is TO en-
phasize. magnify and keep alive the
most pernicious Of our preJudices, that
Of racial venom and hate-a prejudice
that all will agree should be allowed
20 lie as dormant and inactive as our
impulsive natures will permit.
Most GIarinE Inaccuracy.
The most glazing historical inaccura-
cv Of the picture, however, and which
deserves special mention, II not CEN
sure. consists i'm the presentation Of the
character Of Austin StOneman- No such
person as Stoneman ever existed.
except in the fertile and poi
soned brain Of Thomas Dixon
IT., who introduces the character
in his Clansman," and Griffith, sup
posedly for the purpose OF mere play
making, and TO make Of some one the
goat" OF reconstruction, has brought
y
possible to account otherwise Tor such
historical untruthfulness. The pur-
ported attempt at concealment how
ever. is but meant to be apparent ana
not real and possibly to more plausl-
blv Justify the liberties taken with the
truth about one of the greatest and
most remarkable characters in our pal
liamentary history, man who by sheer
force Of intellect and power, as a lead
cr Of advanced thought, led captive the
CO. HaH n
the assassination OF Lincoln and the in
auguration Of Johnson. and so held 1t
until the second great charter Of our
liberties was written into our constltu-
ton I'm the form OF the Kill, XIV. and
XIV. amendments.
DixOn's Characterization.
refer to Thaddeus Stevens. So does
Dixon. In his preface to the Clans
man" he mentions him by name, but
he so bellies him i'm his fiction that he
is compelled TO give him a nom de
plume. or TO be subjected to the criti-
cism Of an ordinary falsifier. To re-
move any doubt of identity in the pic
ture. StOneman is even given Stevens's
characteristics, viz: the wig,
the deformed foot and the cane. He
has therefore fooled no student Of
American history as TO his real intent
But ne has overplayed his hand.
stevens is represented as a vacillat-
Ing weakling, exhibiting finally q lack
Of confidence I'm his own position. I'm
~ n cowef 9n ' 6efore a ann nan poe 1s o on
earth. II he had any predominating
traits they were those of strength Of
character. firmness Of purpose, and an
nndying devotion to those principles so
eXemplified during a long
and useful life. In these respects The
Birth OF a Nation" is wOfully and de-
plorably inexact
A stormy Life.
stevens was born In Vermont near
The close OF the 18th century, was edu
Gated at Dartmouth. and in his early
life moved 10 Pennsylvania, settled in
Lancaster. and at once took high rank
az the bar Of a district noted for able
and distinguished lawyers. At an early
age he became identified with the lead
ing political questions then agitating
The public mind, viz: the cause Of free
public schools and the abolition OF
slavery. In 1S4S he was elected 70 con-
gress, and at once took firm and de-
sided stand on all questions relative
10 the right Of congress to dedicate the
'ederal territory to freedom. During
his long career as a legislator he was
ver vigilant in securing the enactment
" laws, extending human rights, en-
arging civil liberties and enamel
lation Of the slave, and lived to see
hese rights engrafted upon the funda-
mental laws OF the land, and about
opinion.
Stevens in 1865.
His greatest results, however. were
obtained after he had passed the age
II 20 years, when most men are ready
% give up the fight The war was
nded in April, 1865. Lincoln was as
fascinated and Johnson, a strict con-
tructionist, states-rights Democrat, /
Who had been put on the ticket with /
lincoln as a reward for his loyalty to
he union I'm spite Of the secession Of I
lis native state Of Tennessee, became |
resident
JOhnsOn's Policy.
The seth congress did not convene /
mill the following December, nearly 4
light months away. and Johnson, re- /
arding the reconstruction OF the Sc
eding states as an executive rather !
han a legislative function, proceeded /
o appoint provisional governors, who I
2 turn called conventions which pro- /
ided for the election Of legislatures /
nd members Of congress.
These conventions were little. II any 4
ming, more or less than consulting