The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-11-03
EDITORS CHAT.

EDITOR,S CHAT
Christmas Prizes-MusicaI CuIture-Courst
of Readins-AsIeep at Last-Arlinston
Cemetery.
CHRISTMAS PRIZES.
The following prizes viii be announced at an
early date. so get your contributions ready. Fol
the best Christmas story of 600 words for the best
Christmas essay of 200 words. for the best Christ
mas sentiment of less than 20 words, for the best
Christmas poem, not too long.
MUSICAL CULTURE
Why is it that people in general have SO little
musical culture Only those who have special
talent for music to have gone into the sub
ject, the others wofully Ignorant. IL IS nos
musical culture 10 be able TO play a tune on the
piano TO sing ballad with the voice nature
has given US. There is wide field outside OF the
mere mechanical part of playing or singing that
the ordinary person never dreams of. There Is an
unexplored world waiting to be explored
II is not at all likely that the man or woman oil
wide culture and learning give you an idea OF
the progress of music in America or tell any Item
of interest about the great composers and singers
who have created the music that enjoy without
question. We study languages. art, architecture,
history, mathematics and literature, and yet VINO
can give you any idea of the struggles and dis
cuuragements and progress and grand achieve
ments that have taken place in our own America
since the first music printed in Boston in 1920
We all want to be broad and cultured in the
truest sense OF the word, not the man of one
book" or idea. Then let us lock into this SUBJ
ject of music little in this day of National pride
and reckoning, and see what America.ha done for
music within the last 200 years.
COURSE OF READING.
There has been great deal said and written
ehnu1 inn, f,a ind
question arises What shall we read and how read
it? There is such a wealth of literature around US
that it is hard to choose. Selecting a course OF
reading is one of the greatest difficulties that our
young people meet with in all places and COM
munilies, Indeed, TO formulate a good course OF
reading. take well disciplined and richly stored
mind that has learned from experience TO select
from of material Perhaps the best course
of reading, and one within the reach of all. is the
Chaulauqua course. This has all been systemaized,
and is within the reach of ALL and would be profit
able and satisfactory. In almost every city and
village there is a Chautasqua Circle composed al
most entirely of young people eager aud anxious
to learn. The entire covers period of four
years and The amount of reading is only 40 min
utes day. 1t might be well for any of the c. G.
interested in a course of reading TO agitate the
Chauiauqua Circle in their own church or village.
Another circle that is being formed all over the
country is the Columbian Circle. The object is to
prepare people for the Worlds Fair with course
of study. including history foreign exhibits arch
lecture etc. The ladies are taking the lead in this
education.
ASLEEP AT LAST.
What a contrast between Tennyson's "Bugle
Song" voicing The pride aud spendor of youth, and
these, his last expressive Of how lie sank
gently 10 his last long sleep:
ITO sleep! To seepi The long bright day is done,
And darkness rises from the fallen sun.
To sleep! To slsep
4" Whate'er thy joys, they vanish with the day;
Whateer thy griefs. in sleep they fade away.
To sleep! To sleepl
"sleep, mouruful heart. and let the past be past
Sleep, happy soul! All life will sleep at last.
To sleep! To sleep!"
ARLINGTON CEMETERY.
Several Of the C. &. and Guards who visited
Washington have written for some facts in connec-
ton with Arlington once Shareholders fine
estate. now sacred 10 the memory OF the men who
fought the battles of Union and emancipation.
While in attendance upon the Eucam pnent the
Editor visited Arlington with a party of friends
aud on the book Of registry wrote these lines:
No; in the splendors lost and gone
OF Custiz Lee. and Washington.
But in The battles fought and won
There rests the fame of Arlington.
Kate Browniee Sherwood Sept. II, 1892
Ii was al Arlington, the home OF Gen Robert E.
Lee on that sublime elevation on the banks of the
Potomac with the white dome of the Capitol of
the Nation IN plain sight, that treason nuriured
aud armed for battle. Il is the irony Of fate, or
rather the inevitable decree of averaging justice
which has converted the home of treason into a
mighty mausoleum dedicated TO patriotism aad
National unity.
The'orgnnl Arlington estate of ], 100 acres was
gift from Gen. Washington to George Washing
ton Park Gusts, grandson Of Martha Washing
ton, who left Mount Vernon in 1902 aud settled
upon his estate, residing there until his DEATH in
1857. At his death the estate descended 10 his
daughter. wife OF Gen. Robert E. Lee. leader Of
the armed forces Of the rebellion.
When the war broke and the Lees joined The
rebellion Arlington became encampment for
Union soldiers aud the historic old mansion with
its wide porlicoes supported by massive columns,
was used as officers headquarters.
The Arlington National Cemetery embraces 30
acres, secured by tlie Government for s27 600 by
tax lille from the Lee heirs. There sleep 500 Of
the defenders OF the Nation and each year
the number as large numbers Of soldiers dying IN
Washington buried there. Every grave is
marked with head aud fooi-stones and many
beautiful monuments have been erected from time
time by soldier societies and friends Of the dead
The most imposing is the granite monument TO
Sheridan. with portrait in bas-reief.
or The is 500 soldiers who sleep at Arlington.
1870 are unknown. "Uuknown vailed beneath
the shelving sod, yet dear to liberty and known OF
God" Ia one common grave are buried the bones
of ALL soldiers. Over This tomb is massive
granite monument. which bears the following in
scTipiion: Beneath this stone repose the bones o!
2.ill unknown SO diers, gathered after the war
from the fields Of Bull Run and the route TO the
RAppRbannock. Their aims could not be ideni
fed, but their names and deaths are recorded in
the archives of their country and its grateful ci
zeus honor them as oil their noble army of martyrs
May they res. IA peace"
Is LIFE WORTH LIVING?
BY IDA MAY RAYBERT.
All work is tedious,
All pleasure vain;
With love comes sorrow.
With JOY comes pain:
Happiness is perisiIing,
Bliss brEngcIh fears;
Though lip-will sweeiiy smile,
The eyes gemmed with tears.
j. life worth living,
Often ask;
Ye-, Ills flower, sweet,
Tightly we clasp.
CONVERSATION CLUB.
! Thoughts from the c. C. Members on Man,
| Topics.
| Rates Of The Club--I Write briefly. Write only
a side Of tlie paper. g. Write The point.
lite subject. 5. Write your best. g. Each
week iie names those writing The best letters