Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-05-20
A Plea for Harmony.

sd by the creeping masses, makes
the novel proposition that in pailia-
mentary oratory singing be substi-
tuted for speaking; and that such
OF our statesmen as may not possess
the requisite talent or skill to sub
nit his views in musical rythn, shall
only be allowed to gesticulate.
This suggestion has some very
plausible features to commend it.,
and as but very few of the toiling
millions ever aspire to the honors of
craftsmanship, We can afford to ex-
tend a cordial endorsement of a
proposition which, it is not very prob
able, will entail upon any of us the
necessity for study of the intrica-
cies of rythmics, melodies and dy-
namics. 1t would certainly serve to
elevate our national halls of legisla-
ton from their present similitude to
a menagerie, or cock pit, to that Of
the legitimate drama; change
which would doubtless have as ben
efcial an effect upon the spectators
who throng the galaries, as upon the
gladiators themselves, Transforming
them from vindictive foemen, into
careful and conscientious Artists.
Had this system been in practice at
the beginning of the present session
of Congress, what a different phase
affairs political might not now wear!
Conkiing might have sung himself
into the favor OF the Administration
quite as effectively as did Fritz into
the good graces of the Grand Ouch
ess. Malone, with a slight varia-
ton, would have made sweet little
Buttercup, and by the aid of har-
lnonious intonation and graceful
gesticulation won the undying love
of both parties. Ben Butler, if he
ever gets into Congress again, would
make capital Dick Deadeye; and
Garfield, as the terrible Mazourk
could chant his messages to Con-
gress in a tone which would strike
tenor to all recalcitrant members of
the party, whose number is legion,
and who are drifting further apart
every day, for the want of Harmony.
There is no end to the good which
might result from the adoption of
this novel system. Our Territorial
legislature would be controlled by
an entire different element from that
which gave us our incomprehenslble
revenue law. The forensic orators
who have mudd1ed our laws SO ef-
fectually that it will require So
0OG codifcation and SlO, 900 bill
Of costs for printing to make them
Ineligible even to the legal fratern-
ity, will nevermore be allowed to
thrust their beak, into the heart Tor
rather the pockets) of the people.
"Chin Music" as it is vulgarly
styled, will then be replaced by the
full. round, melodious notes from
the larynx and chest. They will
necessarily carry more weight; they
can not, by any pervasion of Ian.
guage, be denominated, talking
from the lips out"
The Governors message to the
Assembly would of course, under
this ideal system, conform to the
change, and what wide interval
of possible harmonies may be group
between the seven notes of the chro-
matte scale! How immeasurably it
would extend the capacity of express
sion Of glowing realities as we'll as
the majesty of the inevitable fu-
ture of our great country! With
what cohsummate grace and peculiar
force would our much esteemed Ex-
ecutive thus be enabled to express
his rapture over our many undevel-
oped resources, in the stately semi
breve, or the nimble crochet or
quaver!
But we pause. The subject is
inexhaustable. The capabilities OF
the new system are subject to in
definite expansion. The theory
seems to be wanting in nothing to
complete its symmetry. 1t only re-
mains to reduce to practice the idea
advanced to close up the growing
schism in the Republican party. Is
not this an object worthy of super
human effort? 1t certainly is, and |
we need but the aid of an imagina-