Felix Cherniavsky - Censorship, Dance, and Morality

Added 18th Mar 2022 by Beth Dobson (Archives and Programming Assistant, DCD) / Last update 18th Mar 2022

Maud Allan 927a 51 2008-2-61.jpg
Maud Allan 927a 51 2008-2-61.jpg
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Felix Cherniavsky - Censorship, Dance, and Morality

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Maud Allan Research Collection
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BISHOIS DINNER OM NEW DANCING STEPS O Jan19 1914 Criticism Voiced by Majority of Those Who Answered Tinaes's Request for Opinions . NY Ting 18 REPLIES , 2 FAVORABLE PG Methodists Assal ! All Dances Views of an Archbishop and 11 · Catholic and Episcopal Bishops . 80 In response to inquiries sent by Tum NEW YORK TIMEs to hends of church denominations in the United States , a number of letters expressing opinions on the new dance steps have been re ceived . The answers printed below in cludo tho views of one Catholic Arch bishop , eleven Catholic and Episcopal Bishops , four Methodist Episcopal Bish ops , and the Stated Clerks of the Pres byterian General Assembly , and of the Reformed Church .. T- , of the replies volce more or less ral of the new dances ; four assail the innovations directly , slx criticise the modern dances , but explain that the hostilo opinions aro based on hearsay rather than personal knowledge . The letters of the two Methodist Bishops and of the Stated Clerks of the Presbyterian and Reformed Churches , condemn all dancing , whether old or new . This was the letter asking for the churchnien's views : TUE New York TIXES would appre . clato an expression of your opinion as to whether the new dances are having a harmful effect In America . We hayo printed a number of cablegrams giving the views of leading churchman abroad . Their views hayo reflected both criticism and approval , Now we should like to show through interviews whether the prevailing idea of thought ful men in this country is that tho popular changes in danco steps are regrettable innovations . Following are the answers received : Suveeping Criticisms Condemned . I think that much may bo said on both sides of the controversy con cerning the effect of the new dances in Anierioa , 1 am convinced , that ong peoplo of real culture and re . Kraement a very large number can In . dulge in these dances without harm , but it is also my opinion " hat there is a distinct danger in them for many people in all walks of life . It is possible that the objectionable features are not very much worse than those which might have been noted in tho dunces of a former time , but the dangers incidental to the Tent form om duncins hromo bate of the vastly restar ber of peonie who indulge in their In this in many other thing , Wedning condemnations are seldorn Tur , nd I think that some opinions which have been expressed publicly have exkserated the evil , I am inclined to thini that no present tendency is toward ' a refire . ment of certain things which are Kreftabit and toward the substitutiori of artistic dancing for that which has seeined to be lacking in this quality . " RICHARD H. NELSON , Episcopal Bishop of Albany . Albany , N. Y. * Gind to See Bridge Displaced . Ny own opinion , so far as I have been able to obserye , is that the new dances are no worse than the old : dances which preceded them . In fact , I think the tendency is moro toward stately walking danees and will exentually ' bring back the old - time ininuet . to which there could be no possible objection . The present craze tor dancing whleh has driven out completely , the former craze for bridge whist , is a great improve ment . Gambling and drinking could be combined with bridge whist , but they cannot well be with dancing Evil disposed persons will make evil of anything , but the tendency of daneing in proper places and under proper chaperon . age , Is . I think , beneficial and proper . JAMES HENRY DARLINGTON , Episcopal Bishop of Harrisburg , Harrisburg , Penn . older Dances Favored . I think too much has been said already upon the subject . Atten . tion has been drawn to these innova tions in our dances far beyond their importunce , The purity of any game indulged in by both sexes must depend upon the character of the participants . Evil influences can be introduced into the inost Innocent plays and recreations . Personally , however , I cannot but Yeel that the new movements are re Kreitable and are but another indi . cation of the moral laxness of the age and are to be included with the extrenia fashions ' in dressing and the peculiar character of the literature of the day . My influence is given to the quieter and more dignified dances of the past . ROGERS ISRAEL , Episcopal Bishop of Erlo . Erie , Penn . · Dangerous to Purity . " You may place my name among thoso who reprove these danees and oppose them as offensive to modesty and dangerous to purity They tend to lower those who in . dulso in them to the lovei of the brutes whose names they bear . H. GABRILLS . Catholic Bishop of Ogdensburg , Ordensburg , N. Y.