The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-06-12
PRIZE FOR a NATIONAL. HYMN.

A Committee of distinguished gentlemen in
the city Of New York have offered five hundred
dollars for National Hymn, the necessary limits
and conditions of which are set forth in an adver-
tsement. The object carries with il high II
al Importance, and the design of those who have
conceived il is praisworthy and patriotic. As
vet We have nothing which in sentiment or the
accompanying music deserves the name of a ma
tional anthem, nothing which can be mentioned
in the same breath with the simple majestic one
of our mother country, or the majestic, soul-stir
ing MarseiIlase. Hail Columbia" is a tol de-
roi composition, and Yankee Doodle " a toot-
ing piece of raillery, only adapted to the drum
and fife, and the "Star Spangled Banner" writ
ten by the father of the late Phillip Barton Key,
with decided merit and highly spirited, is not ex
actly what is wanted Up to this day, SO practi
cal has been the spirit OF the age, and our peo
pie during long peace have been SO engroSsed
in matters arising out of an immense material
development, that the lyricai bard has not been
found to originate that which shall embody a re-
ligious sentiment with simplicity and grandeur
of movement so as to Interpret, i'll all its tullness
that feeling which ought to throb in the breast
of every American citizen
Notwithstanding the inducemcnt of such a b-
eral reward as is row offered, and the great
numbers who will he drawn into the lists, we
have strong doubts of their success Five hun
dred dollars will not make the poet, although
| the poet would like to make five hundred dol
lars. II he is out at the elbows he will be at
least disposed to try, but no perceived design,
and only happy inspiration (which will at some
time or other be vOuchsafed can accomplish
what We wish. Those who are recognized as
among our standard poets, might make hun
| dred attempts without being able 10 hit the key
note, while it is jast likely that some one who
has never been heard OF before, will, when the
| aHatus comes, but when the money is gone in
divine frenzy burst out i'll strap to thrill the
national heart. He who wrote Marco Bozza-
ris ought to be able to do this thing, but he is
the bird that can sing yet won't sing He who
wrote " Thanatopsis' should be prevailed on to
attempt it. Prayers ought to be offered up how
ever, for the commit ee, for there is great dea
of light which they will have TO hide under
bushe, medocrty will be in terrible state o
excitement, and Pop Emmons feel sorry that ht
is dead.
But in sober earnest, We never felt the wan
Of such composition so badly as at present, no
ever did the love Cf country so ycarn for expires
sion in this identical form. The fire of such
Columbidd would tell upon the foe. We there
} fore hope that this excellent move will accom-
plish the desired end, and that some one of es
! tablished fame, or "to fame unknown" will b
: worthy to receive the prize For il out of thi
crisis the genius should be born thus efiectiyel
to strike the Tyre, jeff Davis might hang up hi.
! and secession would be as dead as door-nail.-
, Vt. Watehman aud State Journal.