New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-08-17
The Hand Organ.
From the New York Post. !

One Of the morning journals contains an
interesting letter from IAN organ-grinder,
who has seen better days. The letter isa
defence of organ grinding. 1t seems
strange to me" says the writer, that most
editors take a pleasure in maligring the
class to which belong" Organ-grinders
are not lazy. they do not beg, they rarely
fight or steal, he declares; they simply
trudge about town from morning. until late
at night, making music here and there on
the chance of obtaining few pennies and
minding their own business constantly.
But you editors call our music nu.
sance,' he goes on to say, and then unkindly
adds: sit may not be acceptable to you
who have free passes to all the concerts and
operas, where you may listen TO the most
accomplished artists of the world. But the
poor, and especially the children of the
poor, enjoy the organ grinders music, and
even the children and servants OF the richer
classes throng the doors and balconies when
our concerts are given Some persons may
think that organ grinders are nuisances
but the public support them: and hence this
one asks editors to "let us, the most peace
able and humble of all your readers alone,
and pitch into somebody worthy Of your
time and talents !"
There Is a great deal Of truth in what our
friend, "who has seen better days. sayp.
to the natural man. AS this letterwriter
says, children like it, and among country
men generally it is popular. Often it be-
comes tiresome, just as Strauss waltZesd do,
by repetition. A man by constantly whist
ling Home. Sweet Home," especially if he
whistles badly, as most persistent whistles
do, can make that sweet and moving melo-
dy as jarring on the nerves as saw. filing.
But that proves nothing concerning the
nf Syrnn n
grinders often play in the business
parts of the town, during bushes
hours, for the bootblacks and newsboys
with the incidental consequence that
the sound OF the music penetrates every
place of business whereabouts. But the
words of the most eloquent preacher would
be equally out OF lace at such a time, and
in such places, and therefore the heightened
remarks which are called forth on such oc-
casions by the organ grinders strains apply
rather to the quality of the music itself.
As a result of ali this, however, it has be-
come fashionable to sneer at organ grinders,
the amiable Mr.. Punch himself cautioning
his friends against throwing boot-jack out
OF the window at any of the brotherhood,
when surrounded by crowd, lest per
chance some fellow being might be killed.
We do not envy that person who IS all
ways moved to bitterness of speech by the
souuu VI tAc HduO-OTgdI. COuelueFeu slu-
ply as an innocent and wholesome amuse-
ment for the children, they are admirable
instruments, while so long as the unearthly
yells of the milkmen and bakers boys IN
the morning are patiently submitted to- We
ought certainly to listen in the evening
with an equal mind to the old ballads,
whose melody is as enchanting to the little
ones as that of Beethovens ninth symphony
is to grown persons, even if they are turned
Off with many quaver by the respectable
but prosecuted order Of organ grinders.