The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-08

Tho Author aud composer of the Great Ma
lionnl HopH Of liermnnY.

o A~'h'r and Sss SS%ps.e5 ., ssr, Of .Ss Great Ma"
correspondent OF the New York Bvening Post
writes as follows from Frankfort on the Main;-
In previous letter devoted paragraph to the
new national song, "Die Wacht am Rhein," ind
adopted the view then current that the author
certain Muller, school teacher once OF Crefell or
Wolfgang Muller Won Kongs winter. The latter poet
has since disclamed his right to the authorship Of
the poem IN question. The poem was first set to
music, says the Kotnische ZettUng, by ]. Mendel,
Organist aud teacher OF singing at Berne (Lepsic
Dalp 1s42), and the name of the poet indicated
With the Initials "M Sch" These initials were
sioueht erroi eously, to represent "Muer, school
master"
Happily the mystery has now been cleared up
Queen Augusta of Prussia recently sent 10 the Gov
ernor-tieuefaiUf the Cobentz military district Her
warth Won BHtetdeld, the following telegram: tin
joyous, ihankful emotion over the Victories of our
armies forward to you to-day two golden medal
lions for the poet and composer OF tue song die
Wacht am Rhein in which the enthusiastic love for
the aherand shown 10y citizens aud soldiers at this
time has found the most beautiful expression, and
which has become a truly national scng."
This touching Acknowledgements from the Queen
showed how deeply the song had entered the Ger
man heart Of every station and the composer being
TO find out the author. DR.. X. Hundeshagen, pro-
fessor IN the evangelical theological faculty OF Bonn
University, then wrote to the Konische Zetuna sub
siantaliy 0s follows, clearing up, 10 ali appearance,
me question Of authorship OF the song forever:-
''The name of poet of the wscNt Rhein is Max
SoueSed ior bs the composition by SiSnie Bearing the
% anus % or Fbuagy O tSe me Shen IN ae
oyernment Iners at s hesd in order TO support the
apce Of the great for tne protection
esn war which should again to Fra tie Rhine
borders as tney before the peace OF $50 From the
Sn q s os s 1 Sa
snbsne, %S S IIie m WscS sm ba;n o hacan,n eC
HaPtsd with S Max o .arGagh
burger SdieSS lsts1 one o Of most intimate Innate
tion and was to be merchant he was at t6 time an
assiSts9t in the drug store Of k.utsT Blau IN Berns
learned in science and art. and IL vas pleasure for his
1859 be entered the Sthne sShneckeoburser,
s S o5dnv in n oIn'9R IN
from which social club was formod, which every
On the suOseedlnR saur,sy glorious oSem,, BY Max
s b Se so oa the reu m
ton and rsoelved tho wssmest ir IN all
1S nssst rest in peace dear Fsss.ana
Dr. Hundeshagen recal the fact that the poet had
direct Intercourse with him ceased In 1S41, when
left Switzerland. The poem in question was the
only one the poet ever composed. He, Schnecken-
burger bora about the 1872 or 1S6 at Thai
helm, WurtembeJg. Unhappy the honors now
awarded to the poet came too late; he is no longer
alive to hear his WORDS ch8nted by millions OF his
conntrylHen ard to receive the beautiful reward
from one OF the noblest and best of women that his
fatherland contains. He died, says DR.. Hundesha-
gen, in 1851.
Kari Wilhelm, the composer of the most popular
music to the song s still living, and has received
the golden medallion presented to him by the
Queen That he deserves the reward as well as the
author OF The words is proved in the cases OF all
popular songs Words without music can never
take root and become national The story OF the
composition IL given as follows:-Wilhelm was at
Eberfeld in the midst OF lively, social circle and
played the piece on the piano eXtemp)re. Urgently
pressed to write out the notes, he weut to his
(No. g OF what earlier the Ohurpfa'z HoD and
fld SO. This between the years 1910 and
1850. Eberfeld possessed a young singing
ouartette that has since become celebrated The
four brothers Steinhaus sung the "Wacht am
Rhein' on all their professions, tours, and when
King Wilhelm of Prussia attended a garden
festival to his honor at Eberfeld the 9th OF
July, 1854. The brothers gave Wilhem's song The
King Chen Prince o. Prussia pleased with
It that he ask ed the name OF the composer, and Ia
1860 he endowed him with the honorable title OF
'hoyal Musical DIRECTOR" Though Wilhelm has
since had many brilliant offers OF public positions,
he has steadily refused to he att acted into pubc
life. He III 1889 music teacher IN Frankfort
the-Main from ls40, or for number OF years, d.
rector OF the Ledertafe at Orefeld, and now he is
living his little native town OF Schmalkaden, and
would there have in all probability, died forgotten
had not the present war brought his song out fron
its long repose, He Is now fifty years OF age His
portrait Is published in many of the German papers