Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-20
MEMPHIS APPEAL
MUSIC AND THE MOzART SOCIETY.

oONOAIs MAY SUt 1885,
MUSIC AND THE MOZART SOCIETY.
The people OF Memphis act upon the
axiom that "what ia worthy of being done is
worthy of being well DONE" and they never
do anything by halves. This shows that we
have an enthusiastic population, possessing
great vim and energy, and which if rightly
directed will make Memphis what she IL en-
titled to be on account Of her central locality
in the richest country in the world-the sec
ond city in the South. During the lawless
times that Immediately followed the mad
passions born in blood, murder was almost
of daily occurrence in this city. The people
gave vent TO their superfuUus energy By &C.
casiOnal riots. No city in the United States
of equal population ever got up such DEM
onsrations "a have been witnessed in Mem.
phis. Our Mardi Gras festivals have made
the name Of our city known in Europe. It
is gratifying to see and know that this
enthusiasm and energy has been diverted
from the crimes of murder, riots
and the frivolities of an unsub.
stantial psgeantry to the encouragement
OF music, art, libraries, schools, Young MEMS
Christian Associ ations, and all the refining
influences of modern civilization. 1t is
strange that city which has been looked
upon by the musical profession Of the United
States as a sort Of place to stop over for 2
night or two on the road between importzz.
points, and which was thought to possess no
musical taste and culture, should 80 sud
denly develop into 9 musicsl center. The
people of Memphis are enthusiastic in prsjss
OF the Mozart Society, bsoause il has not
only elevated our city IL public esteem and
given it na'ioosl nromiueroa, buI lass
proved sCurc5 Of profit 10 al trades and
professions. Every enJerprise which orestes
a widespread public interest and draws a
large crowd to the city ia public blessing.
That the recent venture pays is pretty con
clusively proven. The receipts are several
Thousands in excess Of the expenditures,
iabulously large as they have been, and the
rroEts derived and the extensive advertising
O.! our city have been of incslculable value.
- ~ doubt true that public interest in
music can be strained too far, but there is no
Immediate danger of that in Memphis, or in
the South, for years to come. Memphis has
given an impetus to the musical taste Of the
Southern people which will spread from the
cities to the villages, the church choirs aud
to the family circle. The good work already
accomplished makes ii easier to accomplish
more. Memphis will soon be the musical
center Of large scope Of country, supple
mented by the choral aid from musical or
gsnization in the neighboring towns. The
ultimate object of every kind OF education is
TO make people happier and better-fuller,
greater, more complete. Every person's ca
pacity for everything that tends to elevate
and refine should bs encouraged to grow to
the utmost capacity. Music is a faculty
that is latent, and may, BY train
ing, be developed just as the orator
is sometimes discovered. Though educa-
ton each generation Will exhibit the
musical faculty more and more, and soon we
will rely on our own talent. The power OF
music over moral character is immense. 1t
develops and exalts our better nsture. 1t is
q soothing anodyne IN misfor!une and its
sweetness adds 10 our Joys in prosperity. II
soothes Childhood; t refreshes old age; its
melody Celebrates the marriage altar, sancti-
6es the tomb, eousecrafes virtue, inspires
patriotism and nerves The soldier for death
on the battlefield. An eloquent tribute was
paid TO the power Of music by the philos-
opher and statesman when he said: "Lst me
make the songs of a country and care not
who makes the laws" Aud this heaven.
born gift can only be developed by educa-
tion. The larynx or vocal cords must be
cultivated or their capacities will degener-
ate. The colored people Of the Southern
States have the loudest, strongest and most
musical voices Of any people in the world.
This is produced by more than two centuries
in the open air. They cultivate their voices
by boisterous preaching, shouting and sing
ing. They sing all day long aud pitch their
voices to be heard at any part of the
plantation. Prior to the war 100 negro
men concerning over large corn pile could
be heard three miles. Most any negro man
could be heard that distance on a cold,
frosty morning, while the voice of white
men could not be heard ons-third that dis
lance. This shows the effect of cultivation.
The roar Of the lion in his native forest is
awful in its grandeur. But when confined
in his cage he forgets he is lion, never cul-
tivates his voice, and his roar is feeble
growl. The voice of country adults and
children is stronger thsn that of people
reared in the city, because there is no re-
Htraint on its powers. Music gives to all
nature an ecstacy of dreamy joy,
and is foretasie OF the grau-
deur and glories of the music in heaven.
Then let the Mozart Society continue its fes-
rivals of sweet sounds, its banquets for the
ear and heart, the typical oratorios, such as
will one day be performed in heaven, with
Christ for its hero and redemption for its
theme.