The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-07-28
From the Providence r. /. Journal
National Songs.
HAIL COLUMBIA.

From the Providence K. J. Journal
National Songs.
HAIL COLUMBIA.
The following history Of Hail Column
bia," is from the pen of the author Judge
John Hopkinson
1.-The song was written in the summer
of 1898, when war with France was
thought to be inevitable Congress being
then in session in Philadelphia, delibera-
ting npou that important subject, and acts
of hostility having actually occurred
The contest between England and France
ras raging, and the people were divided
into parties for the one side or the other,
some thinking that policy and duty re-
quired us to take part with Republican
Eance, as she was called others were
for our connecting ourselves with England,
under the belief that she was the great
preservative power Of good principles and
safe government.
The violation of our right by beth bel
ligerents 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 offensive to the portion of the
people who espoused her cause, and the
violence of the spirit of party has never
risen higher think not so high-as it
did at that time on that question. The
theatre was then open in our city. A
young man belonging to it, whose talent
was a singer, was about to take his bene-
fit. l had known him when he was at
school. On this acquaintance he called
on me in the afternoon, his benefit being
announced for the following day. He said
he had no boxes taken, and the prospect
was. that he should suffer loss instead of
receiving benefit from the performance
but that if he could get patriotic song
TO the tune of the President March,
then the popular air, he did not doubt of
Il full house that the poets of the thest.
rical corps had been trying 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
song, such as it was, was ready for him.
1t was announced on Monday morning,
and the theatre was crowded to excess,
and SO continued night after night for the
rest of the season, the song being encored
and repeated many times each night, the
whole audience joined in the chorus. 1t
was also sung at night in the streets by
large assemblies of citizens, including
members Of Congress. 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
be independent Of and above the interests,
passions and policy of both belligerents
and look and feel for our honor and
rights. Not an allusisn is made either to
France or England or the quarrel be-
tween 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
sentiments it inculcated. 1t was truly
American, and nothing else, and the pa.
triotic heart of every American respond
ed to it. Such is the history of the song,
which has endured infinitely beyond any
expectation of the author, and beyond any
merit it can beast of except that of being
truly and exclusively patriotic in it, SEN
timents and spirit"