National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-17
A CENTENNIAL MUSICAL JUBILEE.

1t is admitted that in the possession of
rare musical talent the people of the Dis
trict are entitled to rank far above those of
any other community in the country. We
can, by and of ourselves, furnish one thou
sand trained voices and many more Gull
tured musicians when occasion requires it.
In addition to this unequaled number we
can bring to our aid hundreds and thou
sands of professional and amateur artists
from other sections of the Union. The
suggestion is offered that these extraordi-
nary resources shall be made available in
the way of Grand National Jubilee in
celebration of the Centennial Anniversary
of the Declaration of Independence. 1t is
admitted that no other city in the Union
presents the facilities for such demonstra-
ton as Washington. The guns, the war
trophies, and the thousand and one curiosi
ties now hidden away in obscure corners,
the property of the Government, could be
readily made available either as attractions
or as useful and needed acccssiOns. Amy
one of the large number of vacant parks
within the District limits, or, for that mat
ter, the entire mall, might be utilized as q
building site for the erection of a grand
colosseum which would eclipse the never
to-be forgotten effort of the Bostonians to
accommodate the musical talent Of the
nation.
The ordinary attractions TO the millions
of visitors to the Philadelphia Exposition
from every quarter of the globe to extend
their visit to the Capital Of the great Repub-
lie would be supplemented by this feature,
and hundreds and thousands of strangers
would gladly incur the attendant expense
for the purpose Of hearing the assembled
musical talent Of America. The reputation
Of American singers and musicians, 1t must
be remembered, is by no means insignih-
cant, and should this suggestion be adopted
Il IL safe 70 predict that the Jubilee would
be patronized extensively. The character
Of the people expected from abroad to visit
the Exposition Is such as 70 guarantee an
earnest interest In such 4 demonstration, TO
say nothing Of that which Il would excite
among Americans. There may be crowned
heads, and there certainly will be titled no.
bIlity, including numbers Of capable critics,
who would be enabled to Judge Of the pro.
gress Of the youngest nation Of the earth
In this most sublime art.
The expense would not be very great,
and, we have no doubt, would be willingly
incurred by ourpublic-s spirited citizens who
desire to do something to add to the grand de-
monstration in honor Of the One Hundredth
anniversary of the nations birth. They
would bear it cheerfully even if the certain
prospect of profitable remuneration was
not presented. A demonstration of this
kind will aid to advertise US not only with
our own countrYmen, who know so little of
US, but With the world at large. Let there
be no halfway business about it, however,
but let us accomplish something magnif-
cent and unprecedented. Let us do some
thing worthy of the nation and worthy of
citizens of the Capital of the Nation. Cups,
batons, badges, medals and diplomas should
be offered for prizes to competing societies,
and with true American enthusiasm spirit
OF emulation will be aroused that will in
sure a national interest in the affair and
make it what it deserves to be-a truly Ma
tional Occasion.