The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-02
they should demand from their preachers ana
pastors proper recognition of the ''day We
celebrate"
The Snengcrfcss u CosmopoIitnu Ina


atituti0a.
One of the most genial and pleasing features
of the German character is their love for
music and the admirable manner in which
life. The magic influence of the divine art
pervades all their actions and makes them the
most peaceable, Industrious and law-abiding
members Of the community. Their love for
music strengthens and renders still more
attractive their intense patriotism, their
devotion to their homes and fresides. The
Saengerfest is the most noticeable expression
Of this affection for art and its influence can
hardly be over-estimated. At the recent fes-
tival held in this city our German fellow citi-
zens furnished an example which might DO
probably followed by the representatives OF
other nationalities. A contemporary, In an
article on this subject, passes very high and
deserved eulogium on the German Americans
for the order, enjoyment and ennobling spirit
that characterized their musical festival. But
we cannot agree in the opinion that mo other
such an object at once so remote from prac-
tlcal life and so elevated" or in the SUCCESS
ton that order and harmony, at festival Of
this kind, can only be obtained from the repre-
sentatives of Fatherland. We need only refer
to the great success of the Boston Peace
Jubilee couple of years since, and the entire
absence of any disorder or unpleasant feeling
h.
essentially an American festival, with an Irish
man as conductor and prof ector. There is NO
reason, then, why all other nationalities should
not take lessons from these social and musical
gatherings of the Germans. and the Saen-
gerfest become cosmopolitan, like the
Let the Celt aud the Tcuton meet
on this common platform, and thu
moral atmosphere Of the city will become
healthier and purer. Music, as preacher,
is eloquent in the highest degree as a reformer
it aims at the nobest standard Of thought
and action, and as u social agent it promotes
universal brotherhood. Were it as essential
Il branch of education here as it is Ia Germany
its influence would lessen the 0nerous duties
Of our police to no small extent. Then,
instead of a target company we should have a
liederkranz or a maennerchor, and for poll
.ical procession an assembage Of the consl-
tucnts of Apollo. The various nationalities
that compose our population might then meet
in friendly rivalry, and prize singing take the
place of politics. We have seen what the
Germans can accomplish with the aid of music.
Representatives of every trade and profession
are drawn together from every part Of the
country, exchange assurances of friendship
and good will and sing down all those local
prejudices and discussions that often exist
between members of various communities.
But we strenuously object to the remarks OF
our contemporary in mixing up music with
politics and religion. The province of music
will not admit of any principles except those
of harmony and friendship, aud on that
account it appeals alike to all classes. Politics
and religion have no more to do with it than
has the particular trade or profession of the
singer. We trust we may see ere long sing
ing societies established in every ward in this
city and cosmopolitan saengerfest every
year.