The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-06-13
(Prom the Chicago Tribune.)
The German Song Festival.


prom the Chicago Tribune)
The German Song Festival.
We know of no public gathering which
should be more heartily welcomed by all,
than that which the Germans have annonnc-
ed to take place in the month Of June. The
newspapers are filed with notices Of meet
ing for Railroads and Steamboats, assem-
blies about Banks and Canals River and
Harbor and Land Grant Conventions and
all sorts of Celebrations and Anniversaries
for Politics and Business but We know of
none more laudable than this German Song
Festival which; forgetting business, inter-
ests and party schemes, proposes a rs-un-
ION of kindred men and women, of the wan
ierer and the exile; and seeks by means Of
the music and song of Fatherland to rekindle
noble resolution and 10 ty feeling, and to
give new life and vigor to whatever is love-
ly, or honorable, or Of good report in nation
al character.
The German, in the opinion of many, is
but heavy, slow and stubborn man err
hapsa persevering plodder, or proto, ndly
obscure and laborious thinker. lost in trans
cendental fog and disputation but one,
who with his solid, clumsy frame, al hoarse
gutterai speech, has no clear and vigorous
ihought, but little tenderness or sugcepti-
Dil'ty, and no detp and strong impulse, and
40 lofty glow and enthusiasm Of purpose.
And yet the same German, if he be but
fair specimen of his country's character and
culture, will be found behind no man in fas-
'idlous taste or accomplishments; displays
the rarest gifts in the expression of all that is
fine or beautiful in literature and art; and
shows in all his thought and life the intu-
ence OF noble purpose, pure and generous
impulse, and ofthe best and truest Christian
faith. Germany is second to no civilized
land in all the acts which adorn and elevate
human life and the history Ofno country
is more illustrious with proofs of the rarest
genius, the most loyal patriotism, the no.
blest humanity, and the purest religious
faith.
And strange as it may seem to those who
know not the quickness and depth of the
German mind, or the sweetness and hexibil-
ity of the German language, this heavy
| moulded and gruffiy cultural people excel in
music and song. With them music seems to
be more of a necessity, an every day want
and habit, than with any other people
Whatever they do, or think or feel, the, can
rot only set to music, but are not satisfied
until they have learned to play or sing it.
they have songs for all employments and
diversions of life. They have love songs
labor songs, and fire-side songs, songs politi-
:al, national and religious. Germany has
passed through no great national crisis with
ont keeping step to the appropriate music -
| They 60 into q political or religious revolu-
~ thnv AriU z o T,,r RI 10 H.
or Napoleon across the Rhine; they chal-
lenge the Pope or defy the Devil, with hearts
and voices both in tune.
Amid the many instances of this we will
only mention the important fact, which Ger
man music played in the great Revolution.
lad Luther not been musician as we'll as
hero, one might we'll fear that Professionalism
had not triumphed. But he set to nobls.
trains the deep impulses Of the people; he
made poetry and songs through which they
| poured forth their wrongs and sorrows,
their hopes and fears; he composed lofty
melodies breathing heroic valour or Chris
ian resignation; and well-knt wn hymns in
spring Faith, and Hope and Love. 1t may
| he said of tunes as it was of his words, tLaa
they were half-battles. His hymns and mu>
SIC contributed much to the triumph Of
| Professionalism and indeed one can believe
| that people could not easily he overcome
who went into cntlict to the melody of such
! songs as the one known so well as Luther's
Hymn.
"a safe stronghold God is STILL
trusty shield and weapon"
And not only did these old songs achieve
so much for the Reformation they still live
and labor for the Protestant Religion in
every church and meeting-hous in the land,
Music then, is not merely trihing toy to
play with, and beguie an idle hour music
has done real and earnest work. 1t has
given energy and valori it has defended
Freedom and Religion. Indeed it may safe
ly be said that without it, We would have
neither our Liberty or Religion; for witsOua
it, we would nos have had that, from which
they both are Observation-Disclosures Reforma.
tirn.
We may then, with good reason welcome
this German Song Festival, for to Germans
and German music, we are largely indebted.
And it may also well be subject for cob
graduation, that while we Amer leans are sa
absorbed in selfish and business cares, Will.
but little music either in our souls or La our
| lives, we have in our midst q people whr,
cherish, and cultivate it.
And it seems to us also grand and cheer
ing spectacle, to see the Germans gathered
from all the States and cities ir the North
west, united heart and voice in singing the
old Fa:herland's hymns and songs. Such as
occasion must be sacred to good feeling and
benevolent purpose; it must kind.e anew
patriotic impulse and national pride. Sing
ing together the rich melodies, and good old
songs of their native land, the German heart
will be deeply stirred with sentiments Of
brotherhood and humanity and the resoas>
ton be strengthened, to make this Ian OF
their adoption, like that they have isfs. Illus
trations f r the steadfast devs.isa Of her
children to political and religious Freedom
and Progress.