The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-02-22
State Superintendent of Pub
lie instruction, Speaking at
Meeting of Federated Del
pkian Chapter, Says Miser-
les as Well as Beauties of
Life May BE Traced 10
Songs

Minneapolis, Mimi, Feb. BE-
(AP)-Pointing out that music may
have a degrading as well as an
ennoblng influence, Miss Bertha
Palmer, superintendent of public in
Struction for North Dakota, today
told members of the federated Del
phian Chapter Of this city that to
songs may be traced some Of the
miseries and prejudices of the world
as we'll as many Of the beauties Of
life.
Music, Miss Palmer pointed out,
is the most cosmopolitan of III la,g-
uages since it translates only
emotion. Poetry, painting and
sculpture have tangible forms but
music is formless. 1t is all feeling
and therefore produces deeper
effect" the speaker said.
Long ago Orpheus charmed all
things, animate and inanimate, with
the strains of the Tyre. Everyone
knows Of the Lorelci who lured men
to destruction and of the Sirens who
bewitched sailors with their songs.
This suggests the thought that music
may have Il degrading as well as an
ennobling influence
Changes Civilizations Course
Throughout the centuries the
course Of civilization has been
changed and altered by songs, Miss
Palmer said. Music has aided in the
dissemination of religion and in the
stirring up of peoples to battle.
1.-THE phenomenal spread Of Chris
tianity throughout Europe after the
fall Of Rome was due in no small
measure to the allurement Of the
musical liturgy" Miss Palmer said,
and it was to the words and music
of a song that followers of Martin
Luther rallied.
David played for Saul and drove
out the evil spirit SO that the king
twas refreshed and WE'LL" Miss
Palmer pointed out, and it was to
music that the Hebrews turned as
medium of giving thanks when the
Egyptians were drowned in the Red
sea.
Historians who fail to take account
of the influence CT music in the des-
TIMES Of nations are not doing full
justice to their subject, the speaker
said. and gave it as her opinion that
England's songs may be given some
credit for the fact that the sun never
sets on the British Empire.
The famous Celtic song which de-
clared that 1.-THE shamrock is forbid
by law to grow on Irish ground"
played an important part in stirring
the people Of the Emerald Isle to
q high pitch OF resentment against
the invaders and cause pleas for
peace to fall on deaf ears.
In European History
The map of Central Europe offers
a striking example Of the influence
of song, Miss Palmer said. With
the Rhine flowing etween Germany
and France, the relations Of the two
nations were not improved by the
lusty singing of the Watch on the
Rhine.
When John Brown was hanged at
Harpers Ferry in 1859 no one
thought that thousands Of American
soldiers would be marching, two
years later, to the militant strains
Of "John Browns Body Lies Mold
ering in the Crave" Miss Palmer
said.
Few persons know where the
Swanee river can be found on the
map, Miss Palmer said, but "in every
human existence there is personal
Swanee river. It is the spot to
which our hearts are turning ever,
the spot where the old folks stay /"
In the same manner, she said "the
moon shines bright" upon some per-
sonal Wabash, no matter what its
name.
"Time was when music was a
luxury available only to the wealthy
and the talented few, or limited to
the ability Of q struggling amateur,
but today we press the button and
9 flood Of sound pours forth. Mil
lions are deluged with sweet har-
monies or soused with jazz. What
shall the millions hear? They will
demand what they shall be able to
enjoy. The home and the public
schools must answer"
Whistling is forbidden in the coal
mines in Leichestershire, England.