The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1904-03-16
HONORS DR.. STRAUSS.
City and University Unite in Rec
ognizing Great Composer.
KEY TO THE CITY PRESENTED,
Cadet Corps and City Officials Greet Him
Officialy---Exercises IN Commencement
Hall--Mayor McGrew Reads Proclama-
mation---Mr. Sturgiss' Address--Dr.
Strauss Graceful Response.

'sTherA is music in the signing Of u
reed;
There's music 10 the gashlng Of a
rill;
There's music in all things, il men
bad ears;
Their earth is but an echo Of the
spheres
Carlyle has truly said "See deep
enough aud you see unsteady; the
heart of nature being everywhere mu-
, sic, il you can only reach It," You
have the poets vision and have caught
up and transformed the melody that
everywhere abounds in infinite variety,
SO that cur duller senses may perceive
and enjoy in larger degree this inartic-
ulate speech OF nature.
eOf all the arts, great music is The
art
To raise the soul above all earthly
storms
"Yea, music is the Prophets art;
Among the gifts that God has sent,
One OF the most magnificent;
Emusic Is thing OF the soul-a rose
Tipped shell that murmers OF eternal
sea-a strong bird singing the songs of
another shore.
You have revealed thrsugh your
art, and as music's Prophet, the un-
heard and nnnoted Significance of ma
tuie's myriad voices. You have reach
ed heights and pathways in natures
symphonies before antrod, aud
have discovered the hidden soul of
harmony, aud have enmeshed and
brought back TO US the "magic num-
bers and persuasive sounds" that
caught your attentive car and that
only a masters hand can reproduce.
We honor you and SIT entrahced at
your feet. We open our hearts to you
aud bid you enter welcome guest.
In ancient times when war was the
chief occupation OF man, and walled
and barred cities the centers OF armed
forces, aud esrh elan aud nation stood
in hostile array against all others, it
was the mark Of greatest onfldence
and the highest evidence OF friendship
to open the City gates aud tender the
keys aud offer the freedom OF the place
to one not a citizen, and while condi-
lions have so changed under the liz
flueEees Of cur modern eivllatiOn, our
almost universal christianity and we
seldom fortlfy our cities and 40 longer
LOOK upon every stranger as an enemy,
yet we recall the Significance Of such
an act, and know of no better symbolic
method Of expressing the universal
good will and high esteem that the in
habitants of this City, dedicated to
learning, and in some degree to music,
entertains for you and the sweet sing.
er and gracious woman whose career
as an artist and devotion as wife has
been inseparably associated with your
own struggles and brilliant triumphs,
than to tender TO you the freedom OF
this ancient burg, and deliver to you
The key that will throw wide open cur
homes and our hospitality. During
your stay hero you are one OF US,
privileged to 20 and GENE among US
as our honored guests, In honoribg
when we honor ourselves.
IN the name of the Mayer and Com
mon Council of the City of Morgan
town, l welcome and greet you, and
by their authority deliver 10 you
this key as token Of our good will,
and that all things here are yours dur
ing your stay. l trust when you re-
turn to your own country you may re-
call this visit with some small share
OF the great pleasure which your COM
ing among us has gwen, the memory
of which we shall ever cherish as one
of the happiest events 10 our personal
and municipal history. Our best
wishes will go with you wherever your
pathway in life may lead, aid we shall
watch with personal interest aud
affection the greater trlumphs in your
chosen art which we know the future
has in store for you.
The key was taken from the case n
which it was enclosed by Major Nc
Grew and handed to Mr.. Sturgiss, who
presented 1t to DR.. Strauss on behalf
of the city. The key is cut class, in-
scribed: "Dr. Richard Strauss, Nor
gantown, West Virginia, March ID,
1904"
DR.. Strauss accepted it gracefully,
and responded in the German tongue.
While his words were unintelligible 10
Rine-tenths OF the audience, it was
clearly evident from his manner that
he felt the compliment deeply, and
was expressing his sincere gratitude
DIR. Strauss said in subsistence that
this tender Of the keys Of the city was
one Of the greatest honor he bad ever
received, and this was one OF the
proudest and hapDiest days OF his
life. He could not imagine higher
compliment, and his gratitude was
beyond expression. He thanked the
city and all concerned for the homer
to himself aud Madame Strauss de
Alma He took the compliment as
| In part to the ait of music and to
Germany. Personally, he felt that be
| did not deserve such honors aud was
wholly unworthy of the compliments
paid him by Mr.. Sturgiss and Mayor
McGrew.
DR.. Strauss remarks were repea ed
to the audience in English by Mr..
Henry Wofsohn. The applause was
scarcely more sincere and enthusiastic
in applauding the translation and the
address than the manner OF DR.
| Strauss when he spoke.
| A flash light photograph OF the
group on the stage, standing, was ia
ken before the audience left their
seats. 1t was called to the attention
of Dean Wrights ID just before the
| flash, that Gov. White was in the au-
dience. lie had entered the hall with
Mr.. Grant after the exercises had be-
gun. His coming was SO quiet and
unobstrusiye, that those on the stage
did not know OF his presence. Only
few persons in the audience, recog-
nized him as he came down the aisle.
| The Governor aud Mr.. Grant were
called to the restrum to be in the pic
ture.