The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-10
W--iGBA STATE TEAcuEgY ASSOCIATION
Mlegeath ANIMAL Meeting,
orr Troy CoaRFsPcS DEScE.
Troy, August 8, 1856

less On" M,lsic--lts extent ana influence, WAS
yercd before the association by Me- CAyEaT, OF
s.efdam. The following Il a synopsis
,usic ard petty, said he are so nearly connected
it seemed Necessary to consider them together
tie history Of the one gives the history and
err of tie other. Music is combination OF
nds Pleasing TO the ear, and poetry the expires
Of itess in measured lines Music IS 70 poetry
ht simplicity Of dress is to beauty. He did not
b to take Up music scientifically, noting the
sEent kids CT melody and harmony, ano the
by which they are practiced and governed.
proposed FIeer range. Music has its tounda-
in ratlie, and il confined to 40 favored soil.
nay be rude aIrong sayages, but there it exists.
priest gave his instructions in song. The states
chantea his laws, and the philosopher sung The
fses Of he moon and the eclipses OF The sun, and
er mysteries Of nature. We find music and
try in the first o. earliest history Of every nation
us next inquire whether, at any subsequent
led, we find them laid aside. They mag have
q Neglected but never wholly relinquished. Go
re we will, p ery aud music are there and jadg
from the past must always remain. The coGcu
Is iiresisibse- since no nation or people ever has
ted, no nation can or will exist, without music
next point to establish is that il has an extern
influence on character, both individual and
oral. The music of the ancient Greeks and
nans was both pious aud patriotic. Now, what
E some Of the prominent characteristics OF these
Pnsy Were they pious, as from their music we
BIT expect: No people have eSer been moie
pulousy exact in matters OF religion. Their
not only enioined but enforced religious OBJ
lnces. Ia fact, so prominent does their piety
ar, tia. the sentiment has been expressed,
ppy is that Christian who can peruse the writ
OF the ancient Greeks AID Romans and con-
plate their religious zeal, and not fad cause to
b." Were they patriotic? Their country was
all, dearer even than family or friends. Were
wailke and brave? Let Marathon and Their
Eia and Sslamis tell. About the music of the
mt Germans We know bu. little, bu. that they
attention to it, and that IL had i.s appropriate.
erce, is certain. Tactus says that they abound.
Eih rude strains Of verse; with this harbarous
they inllaueG their minds with ardor In the
CT battle. The ancient Scandinayans. when
70 rar, invoked the name Of 0dn. and sung
N hymns OF praise. Everywhere in their his.
VIC GAd mcntion made OF the war song OF the
ul.AS Vi 0tf W Htu VIC Ituu QUO vi
songs re cannot wonder that the Indian has
hi:1 self merciess and cruel. Let us glance
momens at the music Of modern and civi.
nations. The music Of France is secular
s, songs en- general topics national, and on
Inject CT lore. Their secnlar music would be
to afecT tie social feelings. Is any one more
than the Frenchman? Their national airs
make them fond of military glory, and their
songs would make them tickle and inc N
We viii quote their character from Aorse:-
Frnch arc gay, lively impetuous, fond of mi
glory, and buoyant against adversely: they
bli.e and aniab.e In their manners, always
10 oblige, and attentive to the wants of
They are wanting Ia stability" The music
is OF light and trivial character. Morse
E"Italy was tie country OF the Romans, the
rfors Of tie world: but the modern Italians
o Issemllance TO the Romans. They are ef-
bte supelsitious and slavish' The music OF
nv IL sacr. a. secular and natl mai. "the Ger
tae grave, Industrious and peseyering; dis
plsd for their proficiency in the arts aid
es.' The music Of Scotland Is similar to that
many, and there Is similarity IN character
usic Of Switzerland Is national and pastoral
are people OF simple manners, industrious
sond OF liberty, aud strongly attached to their
" The absent soldier weeps when reminded
Iational air, OF the lakes and the valleys, the
the happiest season OF his life. But, to come
bome-fhe New Englanders cultivate sacred
ocular music. Music IL represented In Mrs.
n's beautiful hymn as present ard presiding
Enn.and's birth. Olney says, "rhe people
re States are intelligent moral, Industrious
hietprising. They rank among the first in
the learned professions, and with the best
pics best farmers. and lest seamen In orr
b." Thus, bringing the two together from
ht quarters, We find that they agree. An
evidence bearing on this point Il, that
Huencc always has been, and still is, univer
scribed 10 music. Plato and Aristotle, who
&C In almost everything else, accord In their
lation OF music as powerful instrument in
ng the roughness and ferocity OF uncivilized
The surprising effects Of the "Marsellaise
in rousng the people OF France Is proof,
suppression by an imperial edict, an acknow-
mt, OF the power OF music upon the human
And, in our own country, who has forgotten
bat campaign song OF sixteen years ago:-
p canzed this great commoton, notion motion,
rtry through
hoFc simple melody, rather than by any stir
ntiment Of the piece, TIE masses were taken
and the hero OF Tippecanoe transferred from
cabin n the Ohio, TO the White House on
onac. And from then TIL nor, the aid of
e has been invoked in each political contest,
easus hard ridden In every race OF opposing
ties AID today, cur hills and valleys echo
echo with democratic, american, and Rocky
Ia songs That music influences individual
or may be shown from the fac. OF it, inilu-
ION nstions. For nations are nude up OF in
u whose aggregate character Hxes theirs
c Of music Is a principle Implanted within,
oral being, but being susceptible OF sensa-
y capable OF emotions. Brutcs are charmed
c as well Us men ,-argongst the feathescd
e songstcrs whose notes excel in richness
iowpe.s OF tone oil else heard in creation.
Enciple being common TO both, cannot 10
d to be planted In mans moral nature, but
injected with IL. II being then distinct
that essence which goes to make up the
4 hun an, We must expec. that our children
th. If we do not furnish them with music,
hish themselves. And the kind they select,
elevating or debasing and demoralizing.
10 form their character. So true II il that
h o cause, OF which fixed character is an
hat II has long since passed into proverb,
he the making of the ballads OF nation, and
lot who makes its laws" We come now to
nclusions: That We must have some kind Of
md that whatever the kind may be, IL wall
mighty influence in the formation Of charas-
ese conclusions being true. In neglectinR to
kind OF music that shall be olevatiuy, fixes
Ice upon IFS opposite. II must elevate the
nd intellec tual, or debase the moral man.
hddfess, which deeply interested the audi
rs closed by recurrence to the care with
h. music shonld be selected which is to have
fol m influence upon the character and hap
r mankind. That music should be chosen
H. nd .aso apJi