Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-02-24

A free government, in order to live, must
be not only a truly free government, but
also government Of law, founded on JUS
tice, reason and the best instincts of the
human mind. ~
In order to make it perpetual the people
who make the laws must be intelligent, and
1t is necessary that the laws should be i'm
plicitely obeyed. Yet it took ages to edu-
cate people up to this point.
The men with depth of soul, md earnest
ness of mind, who are ever striving for bet
ter and higher achievements, are the glory
of the world. Even in this over practical
age, they are busy laborng for the univer-
sal good. Provement among them, are the
men who are working for education.
The idea ofmaking education compulsory
is the growth of the present age, and the
beginning of better dispensation. I
The great object to be gained by educa-
tion, is to increase the means of happiness.
Youth is n season of hope and promise, and
while the opening mind is susceptible to all
surrounding influences, playful activity
is needed to keep the mind from becoming
| gloomy.
The instant Joy finds tongue, 1t becomes
vocal, and breathes itself forth in music.
Tho first articuate sound of the infant
tongue is song. a..- "It
The preparation of man for his social
duties, requires that his education should
be three fold. 1t should comprise the cul-
| tivation of the intellect, the conscience and
the affections. 1t is no less necessary to
cultivate taste for the fine arts, than for
the practical duties of life.
Music is the eldest sister of the arts, and
wieds power more potent than all of
them. Every sound Of nature is exquisite
harmony. The birds make music on every
nd "A h-ao nf al
To be happy we need only to be natural,
to open our soul to all joyous influences.
OF all the arts, music was probably the frat
to spring forth. In all nations, it has been
an object of universal interest. All the
races of men have enjoyed its sweetness and
felt it's power.
1t is impossible to express our feelings
without music. With its aid we can express
every variety of feeling. sad or gay, warlike
or peaceful. Expression can be given to
the wild war-whoop of the Indian.
As we look back through history, we
discover the wonderful effect of music on
the ancients. Such power can only be as
cribed to the tact that their music WAS
exceedingly natural. Music exercises pow
er in proportion to its naturalness. The
simplest melody govern with proper express
sion, will touch the heart sooner tnap the
most elaborate compositions. Nothing can
be more disagreeable than to hear fine
piece of music played without any regard
to expression.
Wherever we see the effects ofcivlization,
there We find music. In music are embod-
! led the thoughts of all ages. Almost every
country has its national songs, in which
the spirit of the people breaths itself forth
in soul stirring sounds America is almost
the only exec ,ption. What stirring words
have we to rouse us to grandeur achieve
ments ? a few burlesque songs are ali we
can show, and we are forced to the confess
sion that we have no national music. What
we need ia general cultivation inwrought
into the hearts of the people, which can
only come from the common schools.
National music is the offspring of natu-
raj feeling, as sacred music springs from
| the social education in religion. If some
poet like Burns should arise, who could
en6ody the national spirit of this country
in song, he would be one OF our greatest
beuefactors. Give us such songs and we
would for the first time, feel the influence
of a grander national unity, drawing us
more firmly together. We are, as people
too practical. We do not sufficiently recog-
nize the necessity for recreation and en-
joyment. The students in our schools, for
get the social pleasures oflife in their appli-
cation to books. No wonder that they die
of study.
The German people arc inspired with a
universal love of music. 1t is heard on
every street corner and on all occasions. 1t
extends from one end of Germany to the
other, and unites the people in one com
mon love for the "Fatherland." .....
At the rise of Christianity, tho music
which sprang from the ancient Greciar
civilization, was succeeded By sacred mu
sic of the middle ages was suited to the ex
preston of the ideas Of the masses ut tha
time. ......
Then it was liked with superstition
Now, it expresses the purest instincts ant
grandest feelings Of man. j.