The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-04-25
Don't be a Phonogranh

10y pAOHoSl oPn ~ l1SAtlg RldCcu IL
the category Of the "Wonders Of the
World Y World wonders have been
multiplying so rapidly in recent years
that we are not able to state just
what number of wonders the phono-
graph is, but we recognise in it one
Of the real factors in world education
and world civilization.
It's wonderful thing to sit in your
own back parlor and hear the voice of
Melba and CALI Curci Tt g great to
have the soul inspiring marches of
Sousa and the other march kings--it
tickles you to sit under the canned =
there is refining influence in the
dulcet notes of the piccolo and there
is something that stirs when you hear
the brass instruments blaze forth in
clarion tones.
But did you ever stop to think that
the monograph only plays the record
that has been made for it. You can
not change one syllable; you can not
record the heart interest which you
might want to feel. You must follow
the path that some one else has mapped
out for you. Wonderful as the phono-
graph may be, refining as may be its
influence, it lacks individualism.
The record THAT it plays il the same
yesterday--today and forever. Tt of
fers you a chance to assimilate the
greatest music, the beautiful in ora
tory and it is going to have a refining
touch on your life, but don't be q
monograph. Don't let your life he
just record of what some one else has
sung, or said, or done.
The demand of the world today is
for the expression of the individual and
not the mean plagiarism of the ideas of
others. There was never such call for
the expression Of the individual life.
Maybe the song of Melba may tel
you that in your own heart there is a
song the record of which is going to
be helpful in lighting the heart of an
other. Maybe somewhere in your
makeup there>is something that is going
to thrill and enthuse your fellow man
Just like the "Stars and Stripes Of
ssSousa.o Maybe the monograph will
aid to bring this out Of your life and
into the lives of others.
Don't get your idea from .ome one
else. Put some of your own individulty
into your life and let that individual
goodness be reflected in the lives of
others. Make your own life, your own
ideas and the work of your own hands
be the srecord' which will bring some
one else something goo0.
Don t let some one else sing for you
play for, and think for you. Put into
your own heart song of gladness
The voice shat expresses it may be just
little cracked; it may be out of tune
with the infinite, but if it is the ex-
preston of that own self which you
claim it is going TO be of value. When
YOU play the chords you make may be
little tangled but they are your chords
and they are better than the most har-
monizing music played by another ae-
cause they are expressive Of yourself.
Above all, do your own thinking.
Don t Just follow the thoughts of some
other man but take az inventory of
yourself and see if you can not make
some other man follow your thought and
have that thought lead him and theirs
into a new and better way Of living.
The influence of the phonogr ph may
be great. 1t has pointed the way be
cause il has shown that records of great
music have brought pleasures to thous-
ands. viii not the reflection of your
own thoughts the music of your heart
and soul, the reflection of your own
life. have some results on the life of
your fellow man2
Never be content to repeat the rec
ords of others but make your own
records. Develope the best in yourself
as an individual with the assurance
that this is the real contribution that
YOU can make to the life of all your
fellow men.