The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-05-16
rHE GREAT LESION OF THE s.ENGfK-
FEST.

rHE GREAT LESION OF THE sENGER-
FEST.
The great festival in progress in this city
this week has greater significance than
mere present enjoyment, and the occasion
for the display Of enterprise, growth and
wealth. The same is true of the assembling
O. the Press Association, which convenes in
Dallas to-day-it embraces and signifies
more than the simple gathering together oil
brethren of a common household and spe-
cial line Of labor. In eastern and other cities
and centers, occasions like the present one
with us have been common occurrences for
m any years. With us OF the south, and es'
pscially Texas, they are OF comparatively
recent date. Hardly town of any size or
consequence whatever in the eastern, mid
die and northwestern states but has been
for wears the scene of various gatherings oil
general character, representing the al
nual or biennial reunions of some extended
organization. When il is reflected
that these reunions, these meetings ii the
supreme representatives of the ditferen,
orders, whether their chief object be pleas
ure, art or improvement in the industries,
give to the place selected for such meet
ings the best and latest results OF the learn
ing, researches and improvements OF the
order as whole, their value in the general
education of the citizenship at large OF
place can begin to be estimated and appre-
ciated. For instance, and the sake OF illus
tration, 1t may be supposed that Dallas
has never had an opportunity to hear the
higher and finer music rendered by accom-
plished artists. The State SGngeriest is
held in our midst, being u gathering OF the
best musical talent of the state, both vocal
and instrumental, and rendering during
its sessions the better character oil
music in grand style. The result and al
vintages are at once apparent. A people,
by superstition, who had been listening but
to echoes before, rise at once to the con
| ception and knowledge OF the real beauty
and grandeur of the original. A meeting,
in word. such as this, becomes an educator
OF the people A State Press Association
meets in our midst. In II day our popu ar
ton, wealth, progress, are flashed by tie
wires, transmitting the work of two hun,
bred pens over the state and country.
What had been before matter Of hearsay
and faint conjecture, becomes knowledge,
and Dallas and her fame and achievements
get cut into the great world. Indeed, the
advantages ofgrand reunions are patent to
any one who will give the matter
an instant's thought. Now, it
is just this progress, Just these
benefits and advantages that eastern,
northern and middle states cities both
large and small have been for long years
past enjoying end that our southern cities
have not had II lisa source of satisfaction
and c0ngratulation, therefore, aside from
the present pleasure and profit of the occG-
sion that we are now beginning to enjoy
these festivals and reunions on AS great q
scale and as frequently as they have been
Snown in other sections. The great signiti-
canoe attached to them is that they indi-
cate progress and disclose the fact that the
march of cosmopolitan ideas is overriding
local limits and prejudices aud taking pos
session OF the field. Dallas has done more
this week towards throwing aside her local
characteristics and reaching out after the
metropolitan in manner, idea and reputG
ton than she has heretofore done in
any five years of her existence,
1t is this great fact that is back of and
above all considerations of present pleasure
profit or good. But Dallas, in thus assum
ing prominent position before the worlt
in thus alligning herself in the rush anc
noise OF the progress of events, is not aon'
among southern cities. The same awaken
ing, the same character of festivals and RI
unions and entertainments that educat,
and advertise, while they remunerate ant
scatter pleasure and good feeling in a mu!
titude of ways, are taking place all over tn,
south in nearly all It's cities with n populG
ton of 49, 900 and upwards, from Maryland
to our Rio Grande border 1t is one of III,
most pleasant features to contemplate il
the presentation of the New South to the
world. Singing festivals, prize drills, pres
associations, art, fishery and industrial ex
positions, are the order of the day bringing
localities into prominence and edu
eating and liberalizing their citizen
that before were merely know
to the student as places on the map ant
over which u Rip Van Wrinkle slumbe
long since settled. Dallas, therefore, in he
present gayety and evidence OF life an,
progress, is but one of class, II represents
tive OF those new and energetic and promis
Ing young population and wealth centre
Ia the New South, from which so mucl
may be expected in the near future, whel
they shall have become as conspicuous a
their intelligence, vim and possibilities CT
title them to become.