New-York tribune., 1919-11-30
By II. E. Krehbiel

Oy I kNiOkAOiNA
In 30 far as the Boston symphony
Orchestra has been an integral and de-
cidedly stimulating element IN the mu-
steal life of New York for nearly a gen.
Grafton, the death of its founder, pro-
moter. patron and "sustainer," as Mr..
Philip Hale called him. is matter de-
serving of more attention than could be
paid to 1t In an obituary Of the man.
Major Henry Lee Higginson was born
in New York City, and, although citi-
zen Of Boston during nearly all the
years Of his long life, he remained as
sociated with our city in business af-
fairs from the time when he entered
upon his career until his death. That
relationship, however, was never felt
~ the general public. As for the
music lovers Of the metropolis, even
hey knew him only as he was EN-
bodied in the Boston orchestra. II
Glanced that he sometimes appeared
among the local listeners TO a concert
as when circumstances compelled a
change of location for the concerts, or
no felt O desire to observe the attitude
os the public toward the organization
but on these occasions his presence in
he room was known only to his per
sonal acquaintances who happened to
zee him occupying q seat among the in
conspicuous many. Nothing that he
aid or did was calculated to draw at
.ention 10 himself, and fancy that one
Of the most grievous of the many griev-
Gus moments which the incident that
clouded the end Of his life brought
upon him was that in which he broke
MS habitual silence about the affairs
IF the orchestra and defended an act
for which he was In no wise respon-
sible. What caused the pain was the
fact that he could do nothing else
without stultifying a course Of conduct
which he had pursued for thirty-six
wears. and which in all that time had
made for artistic righteousness. He
could mako contracts with the mu-
sicisns, confer with his manager about
matters Of business, pay the deficit In
Cured year after year, but he could
not, because he would not. interfere
with the artistic administration Of the
conductor.
That principle he laid down with
tho foundation stone Of the orchestra,
and from 1t he never swerved. In up
holding 1t during the scandal precipi-
tated by the failure of DR.. Muck to be-
gin a concert In Providence with "The
Star-Spangled Banner" in the begin
ring of the musical season of l9i7-r8,
he was forced to appear In tho public
eve as a defender OF the man whose
sentiments were inimical to the coun-
try which he passionately loved and
which he had devotedly served. and
this must have torn his heart the more
since 1t seemed to bring mis- own pa
triotism in question. But he was
made Of stern stuff. lie did not finch,
and those who knew him knew that IN
his defense of Muck he was a thou
sandfold truer patriot than Muck's ar
tistic companions at Seal Harbor. Me-,
during she preceding summer, who,
nominaliy friends of the United
States, were sympathizers with Ger
many, but when the issue Of war was
Joined made haste to "crook the preg-
nant hinges Of the knee" that thrift
might follow fawning. Now that the
SORROWS and cares, the overwhelming
disappointment which the incidents Of
the war brought upon him. are past
so far as he is concerned. It can not
be sufficiently emphasized that the act
of the conductor was one Of which
Major Higginson knew nothing at the
time. and that even DR.. Muck was ig-
norant Of the request Of the ladies of
Providence until after the concert.
That he staDchly stood by his con-
ductor as long as he believed him in
nocent Of wrongdoing toward the
United States was in obedience to his
moral nature, and can scarcely con-
csive Of greater bitterness than he
must have felt when he learned not
only the things which made Muck ac-
cept the protection Of internment at
Fort Oglethorpe. but also the fact that
the man whom he had befriended and
defended with wonderful unselfshness
had been false even in his personal
attitude toward his benefactor.
Higginson ~ q Music Student
ss fss ~ ! can learn what might
be called the sentimental part Of the
ssosz ~ Major Hisginssn's devotion /