The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-04-13
THEFUTURE OF THE GOUN0D
GUARANTEE FUND DWILLD0UBTLESs
 BE SUBsCRIBED

Board of Officers Elected-statement of
 tous Speeches-several Interesting Let
 tsrs Read-society Prosperous.
 The annual meeting of the Gounod society was held last evening at Har- monie hall. Much interest was center ed in the occasion, as the society has been most notable and flourishing one, and the result of its future exist ence will be watched with interest. The outlook for it's further successful career is most flattering, judging from the general enthusiasm displayed by its members and loyal supporters.
 In less than two weeks $1,90O of the $2,500 required to complete the guaran- tee fund has been subscribed, and pres ent indications are that by May there will be many hundred dollars over and above the necessary amount.
 MT. Charles DeForest, president of the society, and Professor John c. Schwab presided at last nights meet
 
 elected, with the exception of MT. Fred B. Bunnell and MT. Ebert Newton, who resigned. However, Mr. Bunnell has kindly consented to continue to act in his old capacity, and all matters of in terest to the society will receive his at tention as of old. A vote of thanks was extended to both MT. Bunnell and MT. Newton for their past most satis- factory and painstaking service, and it was with regret that the resignations were accepted.
 The following board was elected: MT. c. s. DeForest, MT Joseph Porter, Pro- lessor John c. Schwab, MT. A. B. Treat, MT. A. H. Jackson, MT. w. c. Sturges, MT. s. A. York, jr., MT. w. R. Downs and E. B. Frinke
 The good fellowship existing between the society and MT. G. B. Bunnell was expressed in letter from MT. Bunnell to the society, which read:
 T am with you as ever and will do anything, so far as my ability will al- low, to further the interests of the so- ciety."
 MT. Charles DeForest president of the society, submitted the following statement:
 The Gounod society still lives. This may strike an unprejudiced person as a piece of unnecessary information. But 1t is pleasant, occasionally, to re- ! vel in obvious facts. Some misguided people outside of the society have been discussing the affairs of the society and it has become evident from the tenor of their remarks that they have pnn6,1nfinp a post-mortem. They were not quite sure of everything else about us, but one thing was settled, beyond peradven- ture, and that was-we were dead-as dead as last years almanac I don't know what these anxious people now think, but In the opinion of those who have watched the affairs of the society closely there was never a time in its history, perhaps when it was more vitalized than 1t Is to-day. Sweet, therefore, are the uses of diversity.
 It is not safe to stroke cats fur the wrong way. eff this is not in the book of Proverbs it ought to be) Once or twice of late the Gounod society has received this ungentle treatment and the effect, probably has been to aston ish the strokers.
 Not only alive are we but united with a strong front. It is evident, too, that we have in a large measure public sympathy and respect, as witness, the guarantee fund for next season with about three quarters of the required amount already subscribed for, and that accomplished in less than two weeks. It took nearly four months to secure the previous fund and then subscribers had no idea they would be assessed. This time we hold out one hand for the assessment and simul- taneously with the other present a paper upon which to re-subscribe. severe test of friendship that. Never theles, the result-about S1,900.
 The active part taken by you in com pleting the guarantee fund had splendid moral effect upon the society, increasing greatly the favorable opin- ion of the general public. Pluck all ways commends itself. Internally, nothing could have been happier than it's results. It was the one lucky stroke that tided us over a critical period, bringing with it a sense of in dividual responsibility that was most salutary A good kick out of the door is sometimes the best road to prosperity.
 The prospective clashing of interests between the Gounod concert and a cer- tain operatic performance seemed at first sight to promise calamity to us, but I am told on good authority that the "calamity' fell on "the other fel low"
 Call it collision or collusion, as you will, it is reasonable to hope that the experiment will not be thrice repeated for more reasons than one. It is use less to hide the fact that in the opinion of large number in the society there are some misguided ones, about us, but } not of us, who would be glad to com pass the ruin and destruction of the ; Gounod society. These persons are 2 said to be we'll known to many of you. If this be so, perhaps a little gentle re- ! monstrance would be in order on your ! part.
 It is asked, Why don't these persons E let us alone? A plaintive but useless question. This is the price the Gounod ! society pays for success. It is the price , that every one pays for it. Success E troubles those most who are not born | for it. Now, our advice to the society g ic to drOD this talk abOut enemies IT