Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1916-07-28


in three thousand fortunate
American communities and
communities are fortunate, as
individuals are fortunate, because they
have the courage to seize opportunity
and the enterprise to make the most
OF it. In three thousand and more
American communities these great
outdoor universities bring to towns
and people already progressive greater
progress and inspiration. Stalwarts
from many movements, experts on
many subjects, will deliver from the
platform the best thoughts of the time;
accomplished artists will delight the
ear with the best music OF past and
present; interpreters will delineate
character and lead the way to the
study of the greatest of all studies
human nature; others of varied talents
will interest and instruct; and all of
this will be done in a way so enter
tanning that no auditor will depart
wondering at the popularity of the
Chautauqua, its tremendous hold on
the American people and its constantly
increasing influence for good on Amer
lean life
Yet even those who are of it and in
it, the hardworking and public-spirited
committeeman and guarantors, the
men and women of talent who furnish
its programs, and all who are con-
cerned, including especially those who
make it possible by their patronage,
now and then pause to ask whence it
came and what it really is.
We have called it an outdoor uni
versity. Judge Ben Lindsey says:
"The Chautauqua is Americas fourth
great institution; the other three are
the Home, the Church and the School"
And says Theodore Roosevelt: There
is probably no other one educational
influence in the country quite so
fraught with hope as the Chautauqua
archtype"
These definitions, from publicists ad-
mittedly able to measure the influence
of any institution or movement. are in
teresting. They testify that the Chau-
tauqua has an educational effect, even
while it is an entertainment. But per-
haps the greatest charm of the Chau-
tauqua, and the thing that has given
it its greatest popularity, lies in the
fact that it is educational without be-
ing prosy, instructive without being
dry, moral without being preachy, i'm
enjoyment and widening our apprecia-
ton. In leading US to the liking Of
better things it but opens up new ave-
nues of pleasure. By hearing inter
probation of great literature, great
drama and great music We learn better
to interpret such things for ourselves.
By the intimate contact Of the plat
form we get to know the men who are
making the great movements of the
day. We hear the poets poems from
the lips of the poet himself, the
thoughts Of the thinker in his spoken
words.
But we do not need the definition of
public man to tell us what the Chau-
tauqua is, why it is popular, and why it
is an institution and a public benefit.
The ordinary man sitting in the ordi-
nary Chautauqua audience can tell for
himself He can see Immediately why
it is good thing for us and our town
and for other towns like ours. In the
ordinary Chautauqua audience you will
see people of every creed, and that
means religious tolerance; you will
see men Of every political faith, and
that means political tolerance; you
will see people in every circumstance
of life, and that means democracy;
you will see people of every age, and
that means a common interest, making
the young wiser and the old younger.
And that same variety Of thought and
interest that you behold il the au-
dience you will behold on the platform
receiving close attention. Therein
lies the most significant fact of all:
The Chautauqua has taught US to lis
ten to all sides OF all questions that