The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-07-14
HAIL COLUMBIA" {"

The following history of the famous
Hail Columbia" is from the pen of it au-
thor. Judge H"pkinson:
This song was written in the summer of
1898, when war with France was thought.
to be nevitable-Congress being then in
session at Philadelphia, deliberating upon
that important subject. and acts of hostility
having actually occurred. The contest
between England and France was raging,
and the people was divided into parties for
the one side or the other-some thinking
that policy and duty required US to take
part with Republican France, as she was
called; others were for connecting ourselves
with England, under the belief that she was
the great preservative power of goad prin-
ciples and safe government -.s.--s !
The violation of our right by both bellig-
erents was forcing US from the just and wise
policy of President Washington, which was
to do equal justice to both, to take part
with neither but to keep strict and honest
neutrality between them. The prospect of
a rupture with France was exceedingly Of
fensive to the portien of the people who
espoused her cause, aud the violence of tho
spirit of party has never risen higher
Il think not so high-as it did at that
time on that question. The theatre was
then open in our city. A young man be-
longing to it, whose talent was singer,
was about to take his benefit. | had known
him when he was at school. On this ac-
quaintance he called on me in the after
noon, his benefit being announced for the
following day. He said he@had no boxes
taken, and the prospect was that he should
suffer a loss instead of receiving benefit,
from the performance but that if he could
get patriotic song adapted to the tune of
the presidents March," then the popular
air, he did not doubt full house that tho
poets of the theatrical corps had been try
ing to accomplish it, but were satisfied that
no words could be composed to suit the
music of that march. / told him would
try for him. ~
He came the next afternoon, and the seng
such as it was, was ready for him: lt was,
announced on Monday morning, and the
theatre was crowded to excess, and so con- j.
tinued night after night for the rest of the
season, the song being encored andrepeat-
ed many times each night, the whole audi
ence joining in the chorus: 1t was also
sung at night in the streets by large assem-
blies of citizens, including members ofCon-
gress. The enthusiasm was general, and
the song was heard, we may say, in every
part of the United States. The object of
the author was to get up an American
spirit, which should De independent of
and above the interests, passions and policy
of both belIigerents. and look and feel for
our own honor and rights. Not an allu-
sion is made either to France and England,
or the quarrel between them or to which
was the most in fault in their treatment of
US. OF course the song found favor with.
both parties at least none of them could
disown the sentimentsi it incnleated. 1t was
truly American, and nothing else and tho
patriotic heart Of America responded to it.
Such is the history of the song, which has
endured infinitely beyond any merit II cnn
boast of, except that of being truly and ex-
clusively patriotic in its sentiments and