The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1915-09-03
CHAUTAUQUA CLOSES
NO QUESTION THAT THIS WAS THE
BEST YET-WILL HAVE A CHAU-
TAUQUA NEXT YEAR.

has come to an end and there is no
question that this was the best yet
Although the weather was very un-
pleasant the first three days, the
continuous downpour of rain max
ing the grounds very muddy, it did
not keep back the attendance.
The Chautauqua brings to our
doors a week Of high-class entertain
ments, including instructive lectures,
splendid bands and orchestras, i'm
personators, musical recitals and
other delightful entertainments
which many of our people only
have the opportunity Of hearing and
enjoying through the Chautauqua.
On Friday, the opening day, new
feature of the Chautauqua was the
parade of decorated automobiles, car
riages and horseback riders, which
formed at Main and Center streets
and marched to the Chautauqua
grounds, where the opening was an
nounced by the chairman of the
Westminster Chautauqua committee,
Mr.. H. P. Gorsuch.
Judge William III. Thomas deliver
ed the welcome address, which was
as follows:
LAS reported for the Advocate.)
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
men, including the many bright and
youthful faces | see before me.
When the chairman of the local
committee having in charge the ar
rangements for the series Of enter
tainments in which you are about to
indulge asked me yesterday morning
to make some remarks at the opening
exercises, | hesitated because I fear
ed that years OF training had made
me a better listener to the wisdom
of others. But when he told me that
a few words of greeting was all that
was expected of me, felt it to be my
duty as well as pleasure to respond.
About two weeks ago, after having
enjoyed in one Of the many attrac-
tive homes of our little city an even
ing Of song and recitation, a friend
took me home in his automobile, and
as We passed under one Of the biz
lights with which the city fathers
brighten our way, | saw well above
US, suspended as it were from the
stars, a long line of various colored
pennants, each bearing the word
"Chautauqua." Unlike the familiar
signal at railroad crossings, with it,
it was not a warning Of danger, but
a pleasant reminder that Chautauqua
week was near at hand, and a prom
ise of another season of pleasure,
entertainment and instruction.
The word recalled to my mind the
hours spent under this canvas with
hundreds of others, young and old,
and the thought came to me, l wone
der if our people have ever fully re-
allied how much these entertain
ments mean to the community, and
the debt of gratitude they owe to
those Of our public spirited citizens
whose management and efforts have
made them possible for US.
Here youth finds healthy enter
tainment, molding and shaping high
ideals that point the way to a happy
and useful life; men and women a
respite from care, pleasant diversion
and inspiration to renewed effort,
lofty thoughts and noble deeds, and
the more serious minded food for
sober thought and reflection and sup
port for firm resolves.
The attainment of any of these
would justify our appreciation, but
the accomplishment Of all three de-
mands our praise and gratitude.
Some one has suggested, perhaps
Ruskin, that education does not
consist in telling man what he
does not know, but in making him
what he is not. That being 50, how
serious IL the mission Of education,
and how grave the responsibility OF
the teacher, especially at times when
some are disposed to leave the
beaten path and to surrender the
tried and true for things that are
new, and even the more thoughtful
are tempted to venture upon uncer-
tain fields. But there are fundamen-
tai principles and truths immortal,
and throughout all ages true man
hood and womanhood are built upon
the same foundations. Tested by the
rule suggested, I am sure that III our
vision could discover the secret re
cesses of the heart, or reveal the
avenues of the future, we would
find along the way of life more than
one flower that owes it, fragrance
and beauty to seed sown On just
such occasions as have been afford
ed us by the Chautauqua Associa-
ton.
1t is with that view, and the hope
inspired by our experience in the
past, that W. welcome the Associa-
ton back to Westminster.
The program for this season gives
promise of being equal to any we
have had before, and | trust that
our people will take advantage Of
the opportunity offered them, an op-
portunity, a. 4 have said. for pleas
ure, entertainment and instruction,
and that the results of Chautauqua
week will be equally gratifying to
them and the Association.
MIR. George iii. Turner, who BE-
came very popular with the West
minister people at our first Chautau-
qua was our platform manager and
each afternoon delivered series
lecture on the subject, Studies in
Democracy"
The concerts or the Dunbar Soiree
Singers, the program including
character songs, comedy sketches in
costumes, readings and selections of
music, delighted the audience after
noon and evening.
The illustrated lecture, Bright
Eyes and Wild Hearts OF Our North
ern Woods" by DR.. Chauncey j..
Hawkins, who secured wonderful
collection of pictures with a camera
in the forests, was very interesting
and unlike any other illustrated lee
ture ever given. After this lecture
the pictures taken OF the parade
were shown.
Tho sacond dav the Chautaunua