The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-04-17
WASHINGTON NEWS.
Visitors In Washington.

1t is estimated that over 5000 school
teachers and pupils from other cities
visited Washington last week, taking
advantage of the Easter holidays to
study the national capital as an object
lesson of value in their school work.
No other American city offers so many
advantages in this respect, for here
are elements that are to be found no.
where else. Here is the American gov
ment at work, in every branch save,
just at present, the legislature.
Each hour of the stay of a party of
tourists can be profitably employed,
however protracted the visit. All Of
Washington's attractions cannot be
visited and appreciated even in a
week of steady Sightseeing" for so
infinite and varied and absorbingly in
teresting are the capitals features that
close study of.years may still leave
one unsatisfied. There is, however, the
warmest welcome for even the one
day tourists, for Washington is as
sured that they return home better
citizens of the republic for their visit
to the seat of government.
Convention Of Society Of Saint Gregory.
The Society of st. Gregory opened
it's second convention. in Baltimore
last week, and about so delegates,
representing half as many cities,
were present. The opening ceremonies
consisted of solemn high mass at
the Cathedral, at which Cardinal Glib
bons presided. 1t was brilliant cere-
mony, one of the features being the
singing of the students of Saint
Mary's Seminary, under the direction
of the Rev. Leo p. Manzotti. This pro-
gram of music represented the ideal in
ecclesiastical music, according to the
plan to have the Gregorian chant
brought back into general use. The
Rev. DR.. Edward R. Dyer, president
of st. Mary's Seminary, was celebrant
of the mass, with the Rev. M. Chau.
vim as deacon and the Rev. w. B.
Carly as subdeacon. The sermon was
delivered by Bishop Schrembs of To-
ledo, O., who urged the elimination
of church music that appealed to the
senses and passions, and the restora-
ton of the Gregorian chant. He re-
counted the history of music in the
Christian church and in the earlier re-
ligions of the world. He said that in
its highest forms it had been insepa-
rably bound for all time with the
divine liturgy, as much so as vest
ments, ornaments and ceremonies.
The sacred melodies of the great COM
posers, he said, had been forever unit
ed by the church with, the sacred
words of the Scriptures.
The Bishop said that present-day
church music was mainly senseless
repetition of phrases, a swallowing of
syllables; the singers comedians and
the choir a stage. Look at Billy
Sunday" he exclaimed. "What do you
think he owes his phenomenal success
to? Do you think it Is to his raging
or to his clownish jumping around the
stage? No, tell you it's the stem
torian voices, the singing that draws
the people,"
At the public lecture in the after
noon, Bishop Schrembs outlined in de-
tail, his plan for reform, according to
which the work must begin with the
children in school. Maintaining that
plain chant was not loved, because it
was not understood, the lecturer laid
down a scheme for instilling this love
IN the minds of the young. He outlined
music book of plain chant, especial.
ly compiled for children by himself
and Benedictine monk.
The delegates were the recipients Of
many Inequalities while In the city,
the Knights of Columbus taking them
for an automobile trip and entertain
ing them at luncheon.
The big even was the concert at the