National Republican., 1886-10-23
Woodward & Lothrop,
-.-,---'SSor. 1913 f Street Northwest.
MUSIC HATH SOUNDS.
THE FAMOUS MARINE BAND AND ITS
LEADER.
Interesting Facts in Connection With
It-More Than Seventy Years Old
who Have Been It's Directors-What
Prof. Sousa Says of 1t.
Correspondence Chicago Journal


When | came to Washington to live,
three or four weeks ago, one Of the things
uppermost in my mind was that then
would have an opportunity of hearing the
far-famed Marine Band which l had heard
about from childhood, and which Carter II.
Harrison is said to have saved from destruc-
tioD; and was soon gratlfled. On Satur-
day afternoon my attention was attracted
by several musicians in brilliant uniforms,
in street car, going toward the western
part of the city. They wore scarlet and
gold-embroidered coats, blue trousers, and
stunning helmets, not wrinkled, faded, and
sweat.stained, like Chicago band, but ap-
parently spick land. span new; and, oh my
so clean. Pretty soon saw another squad,
and then another; and then l said to myself
surely this is the Marine Band. That is
just what 1t was, and l Just followed them
to the park In the rear OF the white house,
and heard the last concert they gave there
for the season. A few days later l heard
the last concert they gave In front Of the
capitol for the season, also.
At the white house concert the band was
stationed on temporary dais, In the center
of large lawn, and about one hundred
yards from the rear balcony of the Presi-
dents mansion. About 1000 people wele
VI
park, several hundred standing close to the
dais and the rest promenadiDg through the
park. At one time a gentleman and two
ladies came out on the white house balcony
and sat about fifteen minutes, but the rail-
ing concealed their faces so that no one
could see who they were. AS to the music
it was simply superb, as | expected, ana
lasted about an hour and half.
What occupied my thoughts most during
the performance was the Democratic air OF
the occasion. To my surprise found that
the President had no private grounds. AS
old rookery through which the curious pub
lie tramps all day as freely as 1t does along
Pennsylvania avenue, | ought not to have
been astonished; and yet / was. | had
found out that loafers and strolers might
sauuter into the large park in front OF the
white house, and even walk through the
portico OF the house itself, with impunity,
but had an idea that the fine park In the
rear was strictly private, and that there,
in the cool of the evening, the President
and his bride might sit secure from val
gar curiosity, and enjoy the beauties Of ma
ture. But now found out that this park
also belonged TO the people, and that mar
row strip Of fower-b beds next to the white
house, perhaps about twenty feet wide, was
all the private grounds that the President
of this great country was allowed to keep.
Unless some one wants to rummage In
his bureau drawers and dance on his dinner
table, his privacy may be regarded ms al
ready absolutely destroyed.
But to return to the Marine Band, the
most noticeable figure among them, OF
course, was the leader, who was really
person OF very striking appearance. lie
was young man, about 80 years old, eX-
actly tall enough and exactly stout enough
for solderly beauty, with dark olive
complexion, short-cropped black hair, and
full but very symmetrical and handsome
black beard, parted in the middle. lie
had bright eye, an intelligent face, wore
gold.rlmmed eye glasses when performing,
and dazzling uniform, When he raised
his baton to begin piece, thought he
looked like the happiest man / had
seen in Washington, This was Mr.. john
Philip Sousa, Que OF the finest musicians,
and one Of the most prolific aud sue.
cessful composers Of operate mu-
sic in this country. made
up my mind at once that would have to
interview him, and accordingly to-day |
called at his house, and had delightful
chat with him about himself and his band.
found that he was extremely modest on