The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-11-17


ters at Washington to their respective
governments. Ring the Bell Softly"
has been recited or sung upon many
other memorable occasions.
Dexter Smiths writings have attract
ed much attention in Europe. His
songs are exceedingly popular in Eng-
land, most of them having been repub-
Iished there. The fact that so many of
his poems appear in English journals
has led most readers to infer that he is
resident, if not a native, of England.
A volume of his "POemS'' was publish
ed in Boston in 1868. 1t elected warm
commentators from the press of both
hemispheres, and rapidly passed through
several editions. In reviewing the
work. the London Orchestra "a promi:
nent journal Of music, art, and literature
in Enrope) said; Dexter Smith is we'll
known ON the other side Of the Atlantic
as the author of the words of many of
the most popular songs of the day, some
of which have attained also great pop.
ularity here. These songs are now
published in a collected form, with
many other little pieces, all of them be-
ing, as their author says. simple rhymes
on common subjects. They are well
adapted to rivet the attention of those
for whom they were written. As
characteristic national sketch with
sharp vein of humor. the following
cYankee CourtShipO will not be with
out interest to our readers"
This collection of poems ISSUED by
Messrs. q. D. Russell q Co., Boston)
has had an extraordinary sale; aud Mr..
Smith is now engaged in preparing au-
other volume of his verses for the press
During the rebellion Mr,Smith wrote
many songs which served to cheer the
patriot heart, and to encourage those
who took up arms to defend the banner
our country. His "Follow the Drum"
was sung on many march his Oar
Boys in Camp" cheered the home made
almost desolate by the absence of father,
son, or brother, and his "Hurrah for
the Old Flag" echoed the re-establiSh-
ment of the star-spangled banner upon
the walls of Sumter.
His I'm Mem )rium," composed upon
the death of Abraham Lincoln Che
original manuscript copy Of which is
in the archives Of ths Boston
Public Library, having been solicited
for that purpose), ia as follows:
columbia weeps! Her cherished SON
Who struck her fetters 10 the ground
Who saved the land of Washington,
Has passed from earth's most distant bound;
His spirit went to realms on high,
His dust alone the earth could claim,
His memory will never die
While freemen live to bless his name.
HColumba swears, anew, her vow /
To guard the birthright of the free;
UnSheathed, her sword of justice, now,
Since Mercy fell by tyranhy:
Our nations hopes and fears alike
Are with the land our father trod /
And while for freedom now W., strike,
Our future Is alone with GodW
After leaving the service of "Uncle
Sam," Mr.. Smith was engaged as clerk
in one of the large usic-houses in
Boston, where his pen found as busy
in expressing his pOetlcal
ideas az in the dall routine of more pro-
sale duties, and hundreds of songs went
forth from the press bearing his name,
which was rapidly becoming famous IN
musical circles everywhere. Publish
ers all over the country sought his
poems. and handsome offer from a
London firm evidenced his increasing
fame in foreign lands. Mr.. Smith pos
sesses rare business tacti and while he
kept the presses at work upon the pro-
ducts of his pen, he also superintendent
the retail department Ofthe music store.
Very few of the customers at "Rus-
selPs" were aware that the young man
behind the counter was the author OF
so many of the songs they bought, and
their criticisms often caused blush to
mantle the cheeks of the salesman, es-
pecially when the praise of his poems
exceeded reasonable bounds.
Upon one occasion two young ladies
were looking over the new music, when
one of them, taking up one of Dexter
Smiths latest productions, asked Mr..
Smith mot knowing his name) if he
knew Dexter Smith Before the young
man could frame a reply, she said, in a
tone loud enough for every one in the
store to hear, II know him well; he
lives in our street. He doesn't look as
if he knew enough to go into The house
when it rains!" The young man chang
ed the subject as soon as possible, aud the
young lady has probably discovered.
ere now, that the Smith she knew was
not Dexter Smith.
While acting in the capacity of clerk,
Mr.. Smith became editor of the
Orphsus, a musical magazine, published
in Boston and New
York, which position he occupied until
i'll health again admonished him TO re-
linquish all mental labor. After sea
son of rest and travel throughout the
West, he returned to Boston with re-
stored health, and commenced the pub
Iication of the Folio, Journal OF music,
which he still conducts. He has long
been identified with the musical inter-
ests of Boston. aud the Folio has taken
a leading position in musical journalism
1t is characterized by judicious criticism
(not indlscriminate puffery) and spirit
of independence. 1t deals boldly with
the musical questions of the day, and
seems not afraid to expose shams and
,bo.Io,oo, Tho EioEo hoo aftaiund a |