The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1916-03-25
Let's Elect Geo. Edwards and the Republican Ticket by 5000 Majority
COLoRED BANDMASTER
HIGHLY HoNoRED IN
THE PHILIPPINES
MAJOR w. H. LOVING PRESENTED
MANY TOKENS AT GREAT
FAREWELL.
Fourteen Years Leader Of Philippine
Constabulary Band.

In the presence of the largest as
semblage ever gathered on the Lune-
ia on an occasion of this nature, Capt.
Walter H. Loving, retiring band mas
ter of tn efamed Constabulary band,
last evening conducted his last con-
cert, at the conclusion of which he
was formally presented with a hand
some gold watch, suitably engraved.
a platinum chain and a purse of gold,
by Judge Gilbert in behalf of the Ma
nila community. Prior to this event
he was presented with beautiful
loving cup from the members of the
organization of which he has been
the head and moving spirit for near
ly 10 years. this testimonial of the es-
TEEN in which he is held by the mem
bers of the band having been dis
played on the music stand during the
concert.
The vast crowd began to assemble
long before the hour set for the fare
we'll concert, and by 6 o'clock the Lu-
meta was packed with a multitude OF
people, the great majority of whom
stood in rapt attention until the end.
The next to the last number on the
program was Sousa's "Stars and
Stripes Forever" following which
judge Gilbert mounted the steps of
the band stand and made the presen-
tation speech and handed to Major
Loving the parting remembrances.
Visibly affected, Major Loving re-
sponded briefly, expressing his graft.
tude for the honor conferred upon him
and his sincere pleasure and appre-
citation of the thoughtfulness and kind
ness of the donors. He expressed his
regret in leaving the people of the
Philippine Islands and his many
friends here, and especially the mem
bers of the band which he had organ
ized over IA years ago. ne ventured
the hope that he might some day re-
turn to the islands and see all who
had thus demonstrated their friend
ship on this memorable occasion.
At the conclusion of this affecting
presentation ceremony, Major Loving
took up his baton, the band arose as
a body and the sweet strains of "Auld
Lang Syne" were played. A moment
before the conclusion of this piece
! Major Loving stepped down and hand
ed his baton to his successor, Lieu
tenant Navarro, who finished the mel
ody while the retiring band master
turned to the throng and bowed his
appreciation of the ovation of cheers
which followed.
Judge Gilbert said:
Major Lovins, Ladies and Gentle
men: 1t is my very great pleasure to
have been selected to voice for the
community something of it's apprecia'
tion of you and of your greta musical
organization. Your departure at this
time is a poignant grief to the com
munity.
"As long as life shall endure with
any of us, your name will be remem
bered and your achievements recalled
with the keenest pleasure. You have
accomplished wonderful thing. Other
men have directed great bands. But
as a rule they have been able TO Sc
lect the best trained musicians from
which to for mthem. You, in great
measure, have trained the individual
musicians who compose your organ
ization. 1t has been unique achieve
ment Your name and your fame are
known wherever great music is heard
But more than this, you have wrought
W
has been becoming Again and agair
you have heard the plaudits of the
multitude, and yet you have preserved
the unassuming demeanor the real
ly great man. All of us have seer
many a man ruined by applause. Mod
crate success has frequently beer
transformed into utter failure, because
to use a common phrase, one coult
not stand success. Not so with you
Through the years you have wrough
increasingly. Every day has brought
its task, and to this task you have
given your all.
You leave us now, and you leave
us all your debtors. We, none of us
can hope to ever pay that debt. Th'
burden of the toll of many a day ha'
been lightened for US all, by the swee
strains of your music. Lives have
been elevated, conduct has been rec
titled, souls have been strengthened
and sleep has been sweetened because
you have lived and worked among us
, There can be no better measure
, of a successful life than the amour
, of happiness that that life has brough
, to others. Measured thus, you hav'
, achieved a great success. No man il
these beautiful islands has done more
Who has done as much?
"You are going from us We be
lieve to soon return. We will nee'
you here. These men about you viii
need you. They know your worth
} They know what you have done TO
them. We, the citizens, will need you
Regardless of race or color; regard
, less of religious or political views
, regardless of station, high or low, w
will need you. We are selfish; w
1 want you back. Be assured that /
; your health permits, we will hav
) you back. You belong to us. Gu
ff,