Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-02-28
MISCELLA ANY.
forthe bellows Falls Times.
Songs and Song -Writers.---5.


mer of 1898, by Joseph Hopkinson, at a
time when war with France was thought
10 be inevitable--Congress then being In
session at Philadelphia, celebrating upon
that important subject, and acts of hostility
having actually occurred. The contest be-
tween England and France was raging, and
the people of the United States were divi-
ded into parties for ihe one side or the 9TH
er; some thinking that policy and duty re-
quired them to take part with republican
France, while others were for connection
with England, under the belief that she was
the great preservative power of good prin-
ciples and safe government. The violation
of our rights by both beligarants was fore
ing 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 a strict and honest neu-
trality between them. The prospect of
rupture with France was exceedingly often.
sive to that portion Of the people which es-
poused her cause, and the violence of the
spirit Of party, except during some of our
presidential campaigns, never rose higher,
and perhaps not so high as it did at that
time, on that question. The Theatre was
then open in Philadelphia, and young man
by the name Of For, belonging to it, a sing
er and actor of some merit was about to
take benefit. This young singer had be-
come acquainted with Mr. Hopkinson when
at School, and then received some favors
from him; and upon the strength of this
acquaintance, young Fox called upon the
Judge on Saturday afternoon---his benefit
being announced for the following Monday
night. Fox informed the Judge concern
ing his business at once, and frankly told
him that up to that hour not box had been
taken for his benefit, and the prospect was
that he must suffer a loss instead of bene-
fit from the performance; hut if he could
procure and learn patriotic song adapted
to the tune of the & Presdents March," Ga
very popular air at that time,) he did not
doubt of full house. Several of his
friends and the poets of the theatrical COM
pany had been trying to write such a song,
but had given up, satisfied that they could
not compose words to suit the music of the
march. Judge Hopkinson, from motives of
charity to the young man, said he would
make an effort TO write something. Fox
called again the next afternoon, Sunday, and
the song Hail Columbia was ready for
him. 1t was announced on Monday MORN
ing and the theatre was crowded to excess,
and so continued night after night, for the
rest of the season--the song being called
for and encoreG each night, the audience
often joining in the chorus. 1t was sung at
night in the streets by large assemblies Of
citizens, including members of Congress-
The enthusiasm was general, and the song
was heard in all parts of the country, the
making much money from the
sale of this popular national song.
In the +" Recolections Of Washington" it
is stated that Mr.. Fox called first on Mr.. !
Hopkinson on Sunday, related his troubles,
and that directly the first verse and chorus
were written and submitted to Mrs. Hop
kinson, who sung them TO harpsichord |
accompaniment of her own composition, and
finding that her accompaniment and the
words were adapted to the march, the song
was soon finished, and that evening the |
young actor received it, The same au-
Ihorily states, that " the song was called for
and repeated eight times, and when sung
the ninth time, the whole audience stood up
and joined in the chorus" This author
makes us understand that the song was writ
ten on Sunday, and on Monday night re-
peated nine times! We have no doubt the
song was popular; but our history of it was
cleaned from letter written August "a, |
1910, by Judge Hopkinson. himself, to the
W 1ohiibS Ddhu5 VI " iihcoodifCs anu VIC /
believe the Judge must have been better
lble to state the facts than any other per-
on. and we consider his account more reli-
lble than that of the author of the Rec
elections"
The object the Judge had in view when
ne composed the song, was to directly aid
riend, by writing something that would
,reate an American spirit, which should be
Of and above the interests,
passions and policy of both heligerants, and
end exclusively for American honor and
American rights. Not an allusion is
made in the song, either to France or to
England, or to the quarrel between them,
" to which was the most in fault, in the
reatment of us, Americans. Of course
he song found favor with both parties-at
east neither could disagow the sentiments
I inculcated. Ii was truly American, and
Ioibing else; and the patriotic feelings of
very American heart responded TO it
such is the history Of song which viii
ndure as long as the nation shall exist, for
he reason that it is truly patriotic in its
entiments and spirit. 1t is as follows -