The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-29
The Old Folks Concert.

The Old Folks Concert at Gorham, on
Tuesday evening, was not only very pleas
ant affair, in all its appointments, but literally
not in the current phrase merely--a decided
success.
The number present was not immense:
thousands went not away unable to gain adj
mittance, nor yet hundreds: but every seat
in the Congregational meeting house was
occupied, and not a few more had been if the
seats were not wanting. We do not say
there was rast Urong in attendance, nor
that multitude, like the heaving OF mid
ocean, swayed to and fro: but there was such
a concourse as would better justify extrava-
CANT declaration than similar occasions we
wot of in larger towns and bigger halls.
We would like to be a little personal if it
were in good taste; in other words,we would
iudiyidualize somewhat, but this might not
answer. 1t may be sufficient to say that the
costume was ancient enough, and worn with
dignity and grace certainly not excelled by
the originals. The old lady, especially, never
will be older, never, never,-nor could she be
il her years were numbered beyond the food,
not in the costume alone, hut in her every
movement; and it was only when she uttered
concord OF sweet sounds" that the delusion
vanished. In this respect, perhaps, she bore
the palm; but if anybody was palmer We will
enter 10 cayeat.
OF the singing generally we might have
heard rafting in certain quarters if they had
been contiguous, unless it were drowned by
the noise above; for the old folks were carri-
ed back into the very audience chamber of the
grandfathers and grandmothers of Aud Lang
Syne; and most delightful transition it
must have been.
But what shall be said of the Battle Cry
of Freedom" Even our Portland Quartette
had it been their privilege to be present would
have heartily jined in the applause, and de-
manded in vernacular well understood by
chors repetition of the glorious song. OF
the artistic let others speak; of the patriotic
fervor which animated every bosom, we can
not fail TO express admiration lest the very
stones cry out Nor was the enthusiasm con-
fined to the choir heart answered to heart, the
whole audience kindled into flame, and
was all aglow with the fire of devotion.
And o, Johnny SCHNEIDER! when Johnny
again makes his appearance, may We be
there TO see." Did you ever enter cotton
mill, and carefully observe the machinery
how complete, and yet how simple-how nice
its adjustments-how exactly every fixture
is suited to its functioa-no collision, no fric-
ton, nothing out Of gear and all impelled
by some occult power producing instant and
Simultaneous effect? Well, pass from that to
the Old Folks Concert; and il machinery can
be made more perfect than the expression of
that song Of Johnny Schmoker.by hand or
voice, why let ii be made-wc Shall be re-
signed.
II IL be true that he who makes one blade of
grass grow where none grew before is
benefactor, is it not at least equally true that
the venerable Father Kemp and Aunt Dorcas'
and the rest of the old folks are also benefac-
tors, by awakening pleasant memories OF the
past, by reminding patriotic emotions and by
producing social harmony which constitutes
an essential element Of our moral being? =