New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-10-20
A War Reflection
BY Louis Arthur Russell

BY Louis Arthur Russell
Ii ever man had just cause for
love of his country and pride in ;ts
history it is the American citizen Of to-
day.
From the beginning of what we call
Western or American civilization to
the present day there has been spirit
of justice here, which has become
tradition, and since the days of the
Revolution the people of our nation
have ever risen in righteous might and
bravely met with overwhelming unitv
every national call for the settlement
of great political or moral issues
No other nation may boast of so
clean record as moral and unset
fish people; no nation has ever con-
Quoted and settled it's wars with such
high and generous purpose; no other
nation has ever opened it's doors so
wide or accepted with so generous
and indulgent a welcome such a host
Of alien peoples seeking the joys of
life forbidden them in their own
birthplace.
The tradition of Plymouth Rock.
4 symbol of righteous freedom, justice
and equality. has served as beacon.
lighting all national aspirations. and
as a moral bulwark, ever protecting
us from serious national error or
dishonor in times of international dis
pute
The Pilgrim Fathers were of the
choicest spirits of the Old World and
,heir spirit has been as leaven in the
righteous progress of our nation.
The spirit of '76 has been the inspi-
ration Of the nations of the Old World.
Our Continental fathers were of the
elect of all history; in them dwelt the
finer. spirit of the heroes of democracy,
Justice and equality from Thermopyla
and the Roman democracy to the gallant
rebels who through righteous battle
forced the royal signature to the Mag
IA Charta.
From the day of the ringing Of our
Liberty Bell there has been new
orientation among the peoples of the
world. July 4 stands in the eyes of
the entire world as a TRANSPORTATION
day of national life. Since that day of
days in the march of democracy the
whole of the Western hemisphere has
been freed from the heel Of foreign
oppression, the rehabilitation of France
made possible, and the spirit of fra
ternity and equality become as
flaming torch of progress through all
lands.
Twas here in our fair land that the
final blow was given to the preposter-
Gus relic of savagcry known as
slavery" and to-day we are arrayed
as q national unit, with most gallant
allies, In the universal sacrifices Of
war for the holy cause of freedom.
We OF all the nations have cause for
deep concern in this great war, for it's
greatest purpose is, in fact, the making
universal the internationalizing OF our
Declaration Of Independence.
Our army carries to Europe the en-
bodlment Of the spirit Of freedom, the
legions of war workers here and in
Europe Women and men are living
examples of sacrifice for a cause to
which we as a nation are espoused;
everywhere these hosts go on errands
o. mercy or to the sadder duties of
the battlefield they are winning the
attention and appreciation of the peo-
pie of Europe; they are Showing forth"
the American idea and the American
ideal; they bear the Impress Of the
peculiar spirit Of freedom.
IN aN OF this splendid demonstration
Of our better national impulses, the
American musician is playing an i'm
portant part.
While with all other classes We as
musicians are forecastinr the future;
With the world facing Il new dispen-
sation ana a higher raising Of the ban
ner Of democracy, we are directly con
cerned with questions relating to our
art. Is it. in all OF this great impulse
Of the nation, doing It's full part in the
war work: are its illustrations in &C
cord with our ideals; is American
music having fitting place in the pro-
gramme of war service? Are these war
impulses influencing our more serious
music life? In American musical COM
position finding new inspiration in the
spirit-thril} of war time Are the many
evidences OF musical activities repre-
sentative OF the ideals we hold to be
true Of American music at its best?
The wonted equilibrium OF society is
being disturbed in all directions by the
abnormal conditions Of the hour. The
proportion Of things. the bigness Of
various enterprises, all make for I'M
usual conditions, and III musical mat
ters judgment is displaced By patriotic
felvor, music is good" or good
enough ii il is rousing, if il fits the
wartime spirit.
We are growing so accustomed to the
unusual, the eXtravagant, supera-
tive. IN measurements that we talk OF
millions OF men, billions of money,
choruses of ten thousand. etc, and
these conditions unseat judgment in
its finer sense; We reckon only on the
colossal efforts and the magnificent re-
suits. But the closer reckoning is sure
TO follow and We musicians have cause