The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-25
LET EVERYBODY SING!

We are glad to see and to reprint
the following Georgia dispatch:
Gainesville, Ga, Aug. 22.-(Spe-
ciaIO-In spite of the strong efforts
of Professor w. N. oliver, backed by
the Anti-Singing League, and their
attorneys, Johnson G. Sloane, Judge
Kimsey refuses to enjoin the singing
people at Chestnut Mountain.
There has been a very strong hght
made against the singing folks and not
a stone has been left unturned. Many
affidavits and arguments were brought
before court at Cleveland on Satur-
day. Judge Kimsey refused the in
junction prayed. Colonel II. II. Dean
represented the singers.
Just what the singing people at
Chestnut Mountain" are We do not
know. Presumably they sing because
they are glad. Doubtless they are a
multitude and they make the air
CULVER. 1t is good. For whatever
reason they sing. whether because
they are engaged in religious worship
of one or another sort, they have a
right to use their voices despite all
the courts in the country and to the
decentralization of any overturned ear
in the community. Whoever Professor
Oliver is, and whatever the purpose OF
his League, we are glad that ne Tell
down. Stop people from singing!
Stop a child from growing, baby
from crying for its mother, a calf from
bleating whenAit weaned! -ssSlnglng
can be sad as we'll as gay. 1t springs
from the heart it is not made to or
der and il cannot be controlled. The
Georgia courts show that they still
have regard for human rights when
they put the quietus on Professor
oliver.
If we mistake not there was case
somewhat similar to this which found
its way some years ago into the Su-
preme Court of North Carolina. In that
instance, however, the complaint was
not that of society to stop singing, but
singers who protested that they could
not sing in church themselves so long
as the defendant persisted In trying
his voice also. 1t was admitted that
the defendant was a pious man, but
it was alleged that his voice would
stop a shuttle-block; that he was pos
sessed of an incurable desire to beat
out the measure and that his voice
was of quality so domineering,
withal so rasping, that the congrega-
tons were thinning out and the choir
had nervous prostration. Wherefore,
argument having failed, the Church
had the man arrested for disturbing
a religious meeting" Very properly
the Supreme Court said that man
had a right to worship as he saw fit;
that he had a right to attend the
church and he had a right to sing.
Singing was emotional expression. Thc
fact that this particular brother got
off the key, ran away with the tune
and interfered with the ear drums of
those who made their devotions In
strict accord with the scale, was I'M
fortunate, but irremediable. Courts
had nothing to do with song, except to
protect it's right to voice itself.
After all, the music in the soul that
saves a man from treachery is not
matter of being on or off the key or
knowing the difference even between
the productions of the blonde soprano
and the black proved basso 1t is the
desire to sing that counts. Sometimes
we are apt to think the result pro-
fame, however pure the motive. but
that is a human weakness. Let them
sing. congregationally or otherwise.
Let all join in and raise the air, COM
ing along the pike as best they may,
some behind and some before. Let
the ancient mother Groom to herself,
the soda water boy with his best girl
chant in the triumph of love, the
portly deacon wiring the murderous
rumblingsi from his glossy chain-cov
cred stomach the willowy heiress put
UP the newest variations from the
Conservatory-bu let them all sing at
once. If they can stand it, if 1t
makes them happier, surely the world
can stand it, too, and the Anti-Singing
Leagues will have to-
tain. May her groves resound!