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Show VHY STOP AT THE STAGE. We are pleased to notice the interest which some of our Catholic exchanges take in the purification of the stage. Several Priests, too. have expressed themselves quite freely respecting "Sapho" and other immoral play3 now on the stage. A Cleveland pastor said in a recent sermon tat "the ultimate effect of such plays is to Increase immorality im-morality and to destroy virtue and innocence." in-nocence." Further, he said that inasmuch inas-much as the immigration laws bar the physical leper from the United States, they should be framed so a3 to bar the actress from abroad who comes to th:s country with her immoral plays, the effect of which is to spread spiritual leprosy." Republic. Now that the vile "Sapho" is in a fair way of being driven from the New York stage, it may well be asked why stop at "Sapho," or, for that matter, at many other forms of moral degradation with which New York is reeking? It is a notorious fact that "Sapho" is not the worst of many plays that have been presented to the public of the metropolis me-tropolis of late; nor, indeed, can it be oaid to be worse than other plavs now-running now-running in New York. It is obvious, however, that the managers of Miss Nethersole have not the same "pull" as some of their contemporaries, and, consequently con-sequently they have her signaled out for punishment which, although deserved, de-served, is invidious just the same. Worse than the production of such plays as "Zaza," "Sapho" or the like are the conditions of corrupt municipal government which makes their production produc-tion possible. While we may, with the Republic, applaud the few Priests and Catholic papers that have "expressed themselves quite freely" on the latest phase of theatrical the-atrical vileness in New York, we would much prefer to see a stern and resolute condemnation of the deadened moral sense which has tolerated the dens of iniquity that abound in New York. The exposures of moral rottennesa and corruption that are coming out of New York are simply appalling. So far the Catholic Church has held itself at a distance from the crusade for the overthrow of vice in New York, justifying justi-fying itself, no doubt, on the plea, not altogether groundless, that politics have frequently been the motive of such exposures. ex-posures. But recent developments in New York would make it appear that the best elements of citizenship are united to purge the city of vice and crime, and this, too, regardless of po litical bias for the partizan non-Republicans and Democrats, as well as independents in-dependents are at one in this effort. Can the Church afford to look with indifference indiffer-ence UDon such a movement? No one doubts but that a single word from re- i sponsible ecclesiastical authority and j every official responsible for the toleration tolera-tion and protection of crime would be brought to book. We very much regret to see that the St. Patrick's day banquet in New York was made the occasion of a defense of the people who are charged with iro- teeting and tolerating vice in New York. We deplore the unfortunate fact I that the epeaker, Mr. Keller, the presi-! presi-! dent of the Democratic club, thought the occasion opportune to viciously attack at-tack the clergymen who are leading the crusade for decency in the first city of the land, for we cannot forget that among those men are the Pauliet Fathers, Priests so far above Mr. Keller in moral appreciation that his words can only have value because of his associations. as-sociations. In giving countenance to Mr. Keller In liia attacks upon any moral movement move-ment in which the Paulist Fathers are Interested, those whom he represents will arouse protests of indignation from all over the world. |