Cañon City record., 1908-02-27
Musical Messages
Edited by |. D. Eichhorn

1T has been asked in political econ
omy whether the agencies of trans
commercial ones. the public offices.
music and other fine arts, have pro-
ductive character. or whether they do
not maintain legion of drones.
There is a character of production
portation, the liberal professions. the
rect one Musical taste developed In
nation is an excellent economic
agent. which adds to the harmony cf
the world in more than a musical
sense. Music cheers and refines man,
thus keeping him. at least temporarily,
from corroding passions; 1t contrib
utes to his health and longevity
through the proper use in singing OF
the respiratory organs; 1t is effica-
cious in the treatment OF insanity and
other diseases: 1t serves to encourage
the weary. foot-sore, and heart-sick
soldier.
Music is a living source of social
pleasures: il soothes the violent inn
pulses Of man. dignifies his religious
and civic ceremonies, and educates
his aesthetic tastes-in a word. 1t
makes him better and happier. Train
your children in music; their life and
that OF their fellow men will be made
pleasanter. child educated exclu-
sively in literature and the sciences
does not become SO healthy. moral.
and cheerful citizen. The well and
happy citizen adds to the peace and
power OF the nation. and SO creates
conditions Of productivity.
Is the engineer who plans the loco
motive less productive than the work
man who puts the parts together?
Is the architect who ascertains the
proportions and selects the materials
of an edifce less useful than the
bricklayer! And is the musician use
less who helps man to lift himself
above himself, and Indirectly enables
him to do more and better work?
Some philosophers call music use
Mss art, IN thss biiaa ana brGtals Stirit
OF the old Dutch settlers who used to
regard school expenses as an unneces-
sary burden. and the school master
N leech. Better reasoning would
lead to the conclusion that the Guilt
walton OF art proves the nobility OF
man. and his superiority over animals,
and savages.
The civilized man produces and con-
sumes the things which are indis-
pensable TO his existence. and in con-
formity with his tastes. All his needs
and tastes. artistic ones, for example.
may not be inborn: but neither is the
need OF soap inborn. Not many CEN
turtles ago that article was unknown.
Once a watch was a rare object of
luxury; then. men and women dis
pensed with stockings, laces, silks.
and underclothing. Industrial pro-
gress and the development OF wealth
have brought into common use many
things formerly regarded as luxuries.
Sugar. spices, coffee. glass and car
pets. are no longer regarded as ex-
travagant. II men could get along
with bread, meat. and the simplest
clothing and tools. no doubt they
could produce greater quantity OF
such objects by neglecting art entire
ly. But civilized peoples do not live
by bread and meat alone.
Humanity has immaterial needs.
The cravings of the artistic senses are
SO keenly felt by some highly develop
ed organisms that the expression.
hungry for music" ceases to be a
metaphor with them. The character
of the pastimes of nation is an In
dication OF Its moral and mental cul-
ture. Man requires more varied and
ennobling recreation and amusement
as he advances In civilization.
Granting that artistic pleasures are
not absolutely necessary. they would
still remain a great blessing. HUI
manity owes Its thanks to music for
so much that makes life worth liv-
ing. and musical art. therefore. should
be recognized as valuable agent In
the science OF political economy"
LOUIS LOMBARD.