The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-05-19
Union will be invited. The chorus will
number ten thousand singers from all

parts of the country, also twenty thou
sand children from the public schools;
the orchestra, one thousand musicians;
batteries of artillery, regiments of in
fantry, bells, anvils and all the auXi,-
larry accompaniments of war will be
utilized in the most magnificent cele-
bration of national peace ever con-
ceived on earth, and all the loyal of
the land will lift their thanks in unison
to heaven"
OF course, the enthusiastic dreamer
of dreams was laughed at; even his
sanity doubted. But his was the splen-
did Irish spirit that grows strong when
opposed, and not one jot or title of his
original conception was conceded. New
lunatic at large. Boston names and
subscriptions were OF SLOW and difficult
collections. Yet the erection Of the
Coliseum was begun, choruses were
organized and drilled throughout New
England and even in Chicago, Denver,
Salt Lake City and California. while
from Boston, New York, Philadelphia
and Baltimore principally were drawn
the thousand orchestral musicians.
The elevation to dignified musical
status of the brass band by the intro
duction of sonorous reeds. which had
won for p. S. Gilmore the title of
Father of Military hands, and his
gressve and ambitious standard of
band music hitherto confined chiefly to
marches and dance tunes, and simple
arrangements of national and popular
airs, had prepared the way for his
conception of Il jubilee programme to
consist not only of patriotic and popu-
lar music. whose magnificent rendition
should thrill the masses, but also Of
classical masterpieces SO nobly inter-
preted as to delight the critics and
musical connoisseurs, while educating
the people in a cult previously beyond
their reach. Yet even the highest pub
lie expectation was surpassed.
AT 5 o'clock on June IL. 1869, the
opening of the doors of the Coliseum
revealed the most impressive sight ever
presented beneath one roof The vast
and lofty building fairly ilamed with
patriotic decorations. 4 thousand
musicians, with instruments in hand,
occupied a graduated platform bring
in view of the great house. To the
right. left ana rear of these assembled
tier after tier, to the very ends, the
seats Of the glorious choir of ten thou
sand singers, representing the best
voices in the land. The magnificent
organ which, without voice or instru-
waves of harmony. the deep-tonet
guns ana musical bells. but awaited
the masters signal to unite in on.
incompatible chord of triumph
Prayer and Grafton from the most
eminent men of the time prcludcd the
programme: ;ld then. amid such deaf
one man in Il million to receive indi-
vidually. the jubilee protector anl
leader advanced to the front and spoke
with the reverence. enthusiasm nnG
modcsty ever characteristic OF tn.
man:
You have listened" he said, TO III.
prayer of ne man of God and to tn,
elOuuence of an orator Of the nation
Now give ear to music the universe
language of the soul the keynote ant
chord of perfect human harmony
Since the morning stars sang together
and the angelic choirs chanted the
birth song of the Prince of Peace, eartl
has not heard such a glorious strai,
of praise an! rejoicing as shall now
thrill and transport your spirits. Re.
member that to One alone, the omni.
phten; God. the inspirer of this iittin,
expression Of national thanksgiving TO-
the restoration of national peace. al
your honor, your glory and your prais.
are due
Then the great (;ilmorc's baton liftct
and the grand organ and orchestra, full
chorus and military bands broke i,
unison into In tho Name of God.
blending their sublime chords i'm ON,
noble flood of music. strong. vet sweet
majestic. Yet tender: thrilling ever,
heart with it's grandeur. brinmiul
every eye with tears. The great cx.
pertinent" was no longer an experi-
mcnt, but the most stupendous musical
triumph and success in the history OF
the world. For five days oratorios an(
symphonies. grand operas, chorals anG
arlas, as well as national, military an6
popular music, echoed through the
country from the magnificent strains
of the Coliseum. The greatest con-
ductors. singers and soloists Of the ma
tion assisted. President Grant attend.
cd. ana was given such an ovation as
he did not receive in his trip around
the world. Admiral Farragut. James
Russell Lowell Ralph Waldo Emerson
all the national heroes and the intel.
lectual lights of New England were
the honored and honoring guests. Hal.
million strangers visited Boston. anf
one hundred dollars a single admission