Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-26

ants from the sons Of Wales, if they
bear the name legitimately.
Il shall speak briefly of a people
and one of their institutions, who have
fought Romans, the Teutonic races,
Normans, when they ventured from
their castles, and never yielded in
spirit to the invader except when they
died like noble Prince Llewellyn;
they fought the Danes, the piratical
Vikings, and not only these but the
English, whom they resisted until the
compromise with King Edward L.,
which linked the name of Wales with
the English crown so long as the king
| dom shall endure
The Prince of Wales today is a liy-
ing evidence of compromise between
a people jealous of their honor and a
king who was glad to yield to that SEN
timent and thus gain brave and loyal
subjects whom no English sovereign
has since dared Cypress or subjugate.
The spirit of Wales is manifested to-
day in the survival of the Eisteddfod,
the objects of which are to encourage
bardism and music, to preserve the
Welsh language and Welsh literature
Gent origin. We hear of it in tradi-
ton, away back in the remote rast,
and in history at the time when Welsh
warriors facilitated the departure of
the Romans in the fourth century:
again in the sixth century on the
banks of the Conway; again in the
twelfth century under the patronage
OF Griffith; then on Christmas day,
ITO under the lead of the Prince of
Fowls; in 1451 by one more princely
Griffith; in 1867 nnder the commission
of Queen Elizabeth. Then in the
great revival of Welsh spirit at the
close of the Napo!eonic wars and down
to the present.
1T has produced the effect on the
Welsh people that it's founders hoped
for in the far distant past; it has
made them a virtuous, patriotic. law
abiding. sober people who are slow to
wrath but when aroused by oppres-
sion will battle with the spirit that
fired the hearts of their ancient he
roes. They are peaceful and inclined
to religion; their sweetest melodies
are in praise to the Most High: their
cherished motto is God and all good
mess" and the prayer they breathe is
oh, Jesus, suffer not iniqiity" Their
musical convocations lead their aspi-
rations to contemplation of immortal
things-to that great Eisteddfod where
they and their martyred bards shall
sing the praises of the Savior who has
redeemed them, forever and ever"
Bardc Solicitations.
One feature of the program which
was in the Eisteddfods of MANY years
ago, one of the most interesting, was
omitted in the morning. This was the
delivering of bardic salutations. At
this juncture in the original Eistedd-
fods the Welsh bards were wont to re-
cite their poems or bardic salutations,
called "Auerchardeau Y Beirdd." An
invitations was extended to all in the
audience 70 recite Welsh poems, but
there were no responses, and the con.
tests were taken up.
At this point in the program Vice
President Waterman introduced John
P. Reese, of Abba, the president of
the United Mine Workers of America
for Iowa, who acted as conductor for
the day. Mr.. Reese made a short ad.
dress in honor of the Welsh people
and their customs, especially that of
conducting annual Eisteddfods, and
expressed desire to see this custom
followed for all time.
The Contests.
There were five contests slated for
the morning session. but one of them
was passed on account of the absence
of the musicians entered. This was
soprano trio, Sweet Love Divine" by
Verdi.
The second was for boys under Is
years of age, who We're called upon to
recite Marco Bozzaris,' the we'll
known poem by Halleck. George Nc
Fam, of Williamsburg, was the only
contestant, and was awarded the prize
of 81. His recitation of the poem was
much appreciated by the judges, who
gave him an average marking of 25S
points out of possible 800.
Halle F. Powell, of this city, was
the only contestant for the prize Of
IS offered the association for the rem
dition of "Valse Arabesque," piano
solo by Lack. Mr. Powell's playing
was up to his high standard and won
him much applause.
The prize of SO for the most nearly
perfect rendition of the vocal solo,
Man the Life Boat" by Russell, was
awarded to Luther Jones. of Will
liamsburg, the only contestant in this
event. Mr.. Jones has a good voice of
large scope, and acquitted himself
with credit.
The last number on the morning pro-
gram was the contest between school
choruses, the song being Lilly of the
Valley" by Pinsuti. Like the proceed
ing contests, there was only one cho-
rus to contest for the prize of s25, Of
fered by the association in this con-
test. The members were pupils from
the Garfield school, and their singing