| <trailer><p> <Socialist 4 June 1909,> 
| <pb n="2"> </p></trailer>
| <headline><p> <At the Bijou. Frank Anstey in Historic> 
| <Vein. The Menace of Clericalism.> </p></headline>
| <p> The Bijou Theatre was filled on Sunday night to hear 
| Mr Frank Anstey, M.L.A., on 
| <title rend="PRE lsquo POST rsquo">
| "Past and Present." </title> The musical 
| programme was exceptionally good. Mrs Tom Mann, 
| L.R.A.M., sang the French version of Gounod's 
| <title rend="PRE lsquo POST rsquo"> "Serenade," </title> 
| and was vociferously recalled.  Her second song was 
| Shakespeare's pretty <title rend="PRE lsquo POST rsquo">
| "A Lover and His Lass." </title> Mr Auld, whose 
| robust bass voice is heard much too infrequently, 
| rendered <title rend="PRE lsquo POST rsquo"> "The Powder 
| Monkey." </title> Miss Kelly favoured 
| <title rend="PRE lsquo POST rsquo">
| "Some Day, When Dreams Come 
| True," </title> and Miss Ethel Bremner artistically gave 
| <title rend="PRE lsquo POST rsquo"> "O Dry Those 
| Tears," </title> and was encored. The choir was 
| delightful in <title rend="PRE lsquo POST rsquo"> "Jack 
| Frost," </title> and the orchestra as acceptable as 
| customary in the overture, <title rend="PRE lsquo POST rsquo">
| "The Spanish Carnival," </title> and in a march, 
| <title rend="PRE lsquo POST rsquo">
| "Constellation." </title> Miss Madge Young's 
| violin obligato to Mrs Mann's first number was a 
| skilful performance. The audience raised its voices in 
| <title rend="PRE lsquo POST rsquo"> "There Sounds a 
| Call" </title> and <title rend="PRE lsquo POST rsquo">
| "The Red Flag." </title> The accompanists during 
| the evening were Mrs Mann, Miss Young and Miss 
| Paxton. </p>
| <p> Mr J. Curtin admirably filled the chair. Mr Anstey 
| was splendidly received. Somebody cried, <q> 
| </q> and the applause was 
| hearty. Mr Anstey retorted, <q>  
| </q>Mr Anstey's keynote was 
| Clericalism. He pointed out that the advanced movement 
| had ever been opposed not in answering its arguments 
| but in raising the cry of "irreligious." The Labour 
| movement in particular had encountered the hostility of 
| the clericals. Clericalism had often been antagonistic 
| to real religion; the people's movements had often been 
| the outcome of real religion. </p>
| <p> The speaker proceeded to historically illustrate how 
| the common people in their aspirations for loftier 
| conditions had in all times been opposed by the 
| predominant clerical party. He rapidly traversed 
| English history, and journeyed through epochal 
| struggles which had been the true greatness of the 
| English people. Incidentally he touched upon aspects of 
| the French Revolution and the Civil War of America. He 
| had something to say of education and the inspirational 
| humanity of the risings against tyranny. Finally he 
| traced the movements of progress to Australia, and gave 
| an instructive epitome of important Victorian 
| events. </p>
| <p> In his concluding remarks, he emphasised the need of 
| working-class Unity, and congratulated the Socialist 
| Party of Victoria on its young men of ability. As for 
| the Socialist movement, even the Socialist Party, he 
| had not one word to say against it. His heart was in 
| it. Revolutionary principles had his endorsement, and 
| nothing could hinder the triumph of the Labour 
| movement. As for clericalism, it had been necessary to 
| assail it. If it were to be conquered it had to be 
| tackled. </p>
| <p> Mr Anstey was frequently and loudly applauded, and 
| his impressive address was timely and outspoken. </p>