CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1907-05-02

mighty. y.pAiiosopAsr:- Piato: bsquea&Aed-
to the world this thoasAt:, "a oAAass
in the character, Of sonss can change
the state Of commonwealth"
Every system of government turns
to music for assistance in strengthen
ing its hold upon the people, and sure
ly we Americans, more than any 9TH
er nation, need harmonizing infiu-
ence. We are a production of every
land, and to have our national ma
chinery work without friction we
must be brought to common stand
ard. 1t must be our home, our coun-
try, and our flag. Laws cannot bring
this condition about We can never
legislate to harmoniZe peoples opin-
ions, but we can write poems that will
have the desired effect. Why on the
fourth of July do we sing our very
best national songs? MY Country
'Tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty"
not only includes the American born,
but every adopted child from every
nation under the sun that has sworn
allegiance to the STARS and Stripes"
Can we estimate the power OF mu-
sic? We can legislate and incarcerate
unruly children in reform schools, but
the officials are obliged to resort to
music as an essential part of the
work of reformation. 1t subdues the
unruly, uplifts the Respondent, and
brings sunshine into the lives of all.
We can make laws and then place the
breakers behind the prison bars,
but does that elevate and give him
higher ideals of life and better fit him
for, citizenship? l think not But let
a band of sweet singers, filled with di
vine love. enter the prison doors and
notice the effect. Immediately de-
sire for better life springs up and
often, with hearts filled with remorse
for the crimes OF the past, many are
brought to tears and repentance. Ask
General Booth. of Salvation Army
fame. how he would succeed without
music. 1t has been an effectual aid
in his God-inspired work. and that he
is mighty power in swaying the
opinions of men We can well conclude
when political fathers begin to do
obeisance to him.
In the larger cities OF England mu-
sical societies visit the slums once a
week and give free concerts Of the
better class of music. with the hope
OF elevating the inhabitants and rais-
ing their standard Of life. The result
has been SO marvellous that other cities
are following their example. Surely
music can elevate and uplift where
law Ii powerless.
. Listen to the old soldiers a. they
toll how. after days OF hard marching.
they would gather about the camp
nres ana sing 1.-THE Battle Cry Of Free
dom."; Tramp. Tramp. Tramp" and
''MGrching Through Gsofgia Oh.
how many weary soldiers were given
. deaiFe to press ON to victory. And
the soldiers that were never homesick.
but always ready for duty. were the
ones that, Joined most heartily In the
songs. And. later. when our noble
oANC~o0S0 heAShAB eA0t
able battle at Santiago. when shot and
shell and deadly rifie-fire was pouring
In upon them. and the dead and wound
ed were falling on every side. when to
all appearance severything was lost,
one brave soldier glancing at the tat
tered rags OF the "Old Flag" struck
up that strain OF THE Star Spangled
Banner" every heart seemed to VI
brate with unity and patriotism. 9th
ers Joined in the song, and with their
hearts thrilling. they pressed on by
almost superhuman power-and San
tiago Is ours!
From time immemorial music has
served as a great factor either In the
power to elevate or to degrade. We
are living In an age when the best OF
everything is demanded. We demand
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