The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-25

---A li2 inia has at last answered the
wrongs against its famous men of the
paSt as cha racterized in Hamilton"
sne new historical play in which
seorge Ariiss, seen here last season
IN "Paganinf' and in 1915 in
psraeli," is scoring such a success
IN New York city. The play Is re-
Sarded as one OF the most importan mt
dramatic offerings of the current sea-
son. The following clipped wholly
rom the New York Sun. and which
10 complete in itself, Is one of the most
interesting bits of theatrical news in
many months:
(There has come to this department
letter from r. Peyton Giles, OF 1904
Park avenue, Richmond, Va. inclos-
ing an article in which he takes issue
with the treatment accorded to Viz
sinians in general and his forbear.
Governor Giles, In particular, in
Hamilton" the historical drama In
which George Arliss is now starring
at the Knickerbocker theater. His
letter and the article follow.)|
Dramatic Editor The Sun-Slr:
Having personally the fullest sense
of fairness always shown by your
paper and knowing the high charac-
ter OF very large class of your read
ers. / confess to a special anxiety, as
some comment by you'd dramatic critic
has appeared in your columns on the
play entitled Hamilton" that you
will publish the facts as stated below.
together with the indorsemen t a.
shown thereon.
The play Hamilton" written by
Mrs Mary r. Hamlin and George
.Arliss and produced by Messrs. Klaw
and Erlanger and George G. Tyler, was
nrst presented In washington, D. c.
about September 10. 1917,
Tho play In based on three subjects.
First. the removal OF the ca pital or
the United States from New York.
Second. the Assumption" act, by
which IL was proposed that the United
states assume the debt contracted by
the several states during the Revoiu-
ticnary period Third. the scandal
ocoasionsd by Hamilton's association
with Mrs Reynolds.
Two presidents OF the United states.
T'homaA Jefferson and James Monroe.
and one United States senator. Will
liam b. Giles who was also later gov
srnor of virginia. are chara In
This play,
The plot OF the play is based upon
HAmilton's insistence ON the capital
being retained i'm New York and the
assumption of the debts OF the various
states by the United States-
Both of these measures are Sup
posed to be opposed by the three Viz
sfnians. who favor the capitals re-
movai 10 a point in the South. ana
threaten exposure OF the Reynolds
~ffstr IN order e. eseEse Hamilton
These matters. az above explained,
embrace the whole plot and action OF
fhe play
The costumes. facial expression,
make UP" language ana general bear
ing OF ali of the virKfnians are las
stated 1 meters to the press and verb
atty. by xeutiemsn and ladies' who
have seen the playl *'these of louis,
nsrrooru humans and rowdtes." carry
tur out an ,snscrupulours and villain
Gus plot against Hamilton. while
numbering the Kings English" and
usfng profanity In nearly every spoken
sentence.
Governor Giles receives from the
playwrfgfts much the worst treatment
Of any OF the trio. though all are out
ssesously ana scandalousiy lrisrepre-
aented. which II not only defamation
OF their public and private characters,
but q gross insult rs well to their de-
seendants as to tho state OF virginia
very many years hefors. and down TO
the day of their deaths, trusted and
honored them, and for 12T years AFTER
have never regretted that trust.
The writer, a grandson of Governor
Giles. is very naturally much better
acquainted with his life than with that
~ Mr.. Jefferson or of Mr.. Monros,
ard for that reason only will use Gov
.rnor CHESS case. which Ia. however,
applicable to all. TO illustrate the
actual facts. as compared with the
portrayal Of these matters In the play.
The reader will bear in mind that
In this play Jefferson, Monroe and
Giles oppose the retention OF the cap
ytal at New York, the Resumption
act" and conspire to make use OF the
REYNOLDS incident to compel Hamil-
tons cooperation in furthering their
aims
New let US consider few incontro-
yertible facts: The acts for the re-
naovai of the capital as well as the as
sumption act. were passed upon In
- h~p 4 ~