Sousa, John Philip. (1854-1932)
Important Typed Letter
A superb content TLS from "The March King," American bandmaster and composer of over 140 military marches.1p. 4to., [n.p., n.d.], a statement to H. G. Leach, editor of The Forum. Commenting on the concept of marriage, Sousa espouses, in part: "...My understanding of a Companionate Marriage is that it is a legal marriage entered into by two people with the deliberate intention of having no children for an indefinite period of time and in which neither assumes any financial responsibility for the other. In my stubborn and old-fashioned ways I believe that it would possibly make the woman...a little too knowing. We of the past ages have always placed on a pedestal woman as superior to man in innocence, courage and fidelity to duty. I can only see a companionate marriage leading to the woman in every case getting the worst of it...I would not trust a man to not take advantage of a woman...it seems to me that the whole success of companionate marriage depends on birth control....while it is taboo in this land of ours, I do not think that it would be wise for young people to adopt companionate marriage. The pleasure of a woman in [sic, is] knowing that the look of innocence radiating from her being is of more consequence than marrying...and remaining motherless...". A surprisingly liberal editorial from a man seemingly most traditional: Sousa married at age 25 and had three children! Moderate wrinkling to edges of typing paper, a few pencil emendations, presumably by the editor, otherwise very good condition. (4815)
TLS Classical Music