The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-02-01

AT the rehearsal of the CSmOro-
American choir, held in Young Mems
Christian Association hall last evening
D, p. Thomas explained the trip to
Europe which the choir will take in
August next
Mr.. Thomas said:
Friends-lt is said here by our enemies,
aud indeed by our cousins across the deep,
blue sea- that we cannot meet successfully
over here in friendly combat, that our
cousins and our auuts are our superiors in
musical theory practice and voices. |
challenge the assertion rs being correct
The assertion might have been correct
forty or fifty years ago. This country was
IN its infancy then. The arts and tho sci
ences and every mechanism in its highest
form was in crude state, but what did
the artists of America demonstrate
eighteen years ago at the Ceuten.
NAL: What did the art gallery
manifest. What did the scientific
gallery demonstrate2--an what did the
great mechanical and manufacturing do
partmentS demonstrate? aud the agricul-
ture, horticulture, Horticulture aud other
great progressive departments manifest TO
the world We ask what did the busy
brain work and the inventive genius OF the
American bring forth'
AMERICAS PROUD POSITION.
America demonstrated beyond perad-
venture that her artists, her scien lists
her inventors, and her artisans strobe
side by side with the great masters OF the
greatest nation Of the civilized worldg
This was in 1876. What did the American
artists, scientists, inventors aud artisans
Of the Worlds Fair exhibition demon.
strate. This time they were not found
marching side by side with the great
artists Of all nstions. No, they were found
greatly in the lead, and far beyond the
widest hopes Of their friendly opponents
to catch them in their uurivalled
efforts. The American supremacy
was visible in every department.
Where, yes, oh where, do our musical or
ganiZatlons stand in the great race for su.
premacy? Are they found in the rear
rank Of the great musical organizations Of
the earth! We say emphatically, no, but
IN the foremost rank. Yes, they play the
important part in the great aud grand pa
rade.
The greatest orchestra Europe has ever
witnessed and enjoyed visited our shores
two years ago. What was the impartial
criticism Of a trained American public'
What was the criticism OF learned musical
critics, OF native and foreign births The
verdict was unanimous and decisive Oh
every point. 1t was not equal to ouI
own Theodore Thomas great and un
rivaled orchestra. The great European
Strauss Of beautiful blue Danube fame
was convinced that he met foe
- . ~, frha,I
and that the magic wand that rested iu
the soul OF the latter was far more charm
ing and eectrifying. And what OF Sousa, OF
the great Marine band Of Washington, and
the late Cappa, and the prince Of all lead.
ers, the late Gilmore, and what Of the grsat
vocal organizations OF Boston, under Ter
rahn, Cincinnati, under Theodore Thomas
New York, Under Damrosch and Seidl
and the Cambro-Amerioans under our own
Professor Protheroe? Facts are alway;
much stronger than faint echoes carried
across the atlantic from European shores
ARGUMENTS ALL ANSWERED
They say the atmosphere OF dear old Ire
land, the beautiful isle Of the sea, is NOR,
inyigorating, aud that the mountain
breezes Of dear old Cambria gives richnes!
to the voice and happiness to the soul, snt
that the balmy breeze5 Of the valleys ant
the ripping rivers OF the first European
republic. happy Switzerland, the home o
our PATHS and Brignollis lend en-
chantment divine to all engaged il
song. Let Us, for argument, ad
init all this. But we can advance tht
incontroYertible scientific theory that oul
trlp across the Atlantic, our rambling
over the green fields Of the land Of th
sweet shamrock, our inhalation OF thu
inyigorating and divine breezss of tht
mountains Of Cambria and our wandering
In the sweet valleys Of PATHS beautiful
conntry will counteract all arguments Sc
forth by our cousins over she water.
Our condition will be so prim that al
competitors VIII fall at our feet and joii
in that patriotic American chorus, "All
Hail to Columbia and the judges vii
declare the Cambro- American Choral 80
cisty victorious at the international els
teddfod Of the world in August, 1894
Have courage, attend rehearsals regu
larly, pay attention to the leader, place
entire confidence in his ability, his integ
rity IL unassailable, and the battle Wi
result in the greatest American victory Q
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