New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-14
TIE CONVERSATION.

in general look at hasd facts anu won't nc
ccpt any romance idealy; consequently this story
ef my poems birth NAV to them stretch OF the
mag nation. Siill must tell the truth ABOUT H. Knew
Il would appear Ike ;his to the general public ADDED
MIR. Gilmore. warming mp - his subject ana speaking
more rapidly, so shrank almost into my own soul
ami was afraid have contents Analysed unless by
kird and sympaihizlns friends"
1t came abOu, every inspiration doeSi"
On the evening OF the 9ih of November. the Sunday
evening"" replied Mr.. Gilmore, solemny, about
o'clock, the first measure two OF the lovely melody
presented itself. Eel; 1t coming. felt 1t drive me
70 my desk ami demand to be written. aud wrote il
Outina few minutes. In minutes had IL on paper
it down and only Little note has since been
changed"
Were you thinking of music or of this particular
subject NJ the t.mei"
Not Mt ALL was not thinking of a National air or
any music whatever was just resting before my con-
cert"
ut must have disturbed you very much, sir y
1T did disturb It disturbed me from that moment
10 the present But would not say disturb; would
not apply suca term the most welcome Visi!or that
ever came from heaven"
Did your other music come IN the same wayl'
Not with such genuine poetry. snch intensencss.
such Qualification. icyer experienced such Hood OF
Glory as l have since I conceived tais hymn IL was
hike whisper o, angel l. seemed 10 gather the Ma
uoninis embraces ard speak It's history IN the grandeur
aud purity OF its harmones."
Fad you thought O. 4 National anthem before y
"Very often and with others have attempted 90 COM
pose one I am not alone the desire. Committees
have been formed IN NowYork for the purpose Of OBJ
tanning such production. Onc very important one was
formed during the war; and great many writers ana
composers sent in their compositions, hut whether
rom jealousy or inability or some other cause they
broke up without coming TO any decision"
d, you consider yours 10 have been true insqra-
nor p
"Yes no one can write a National air real
composition glory. They have TO wait
untl the moment comes and II 1t ever comes II VIII
hive forever All great National airs have come in this
way.
e" That was how this melody came. slept none that
nizht Tie charm OF ,hc thing kept me awake. ana l
got up IN the morning. quite exhausted and scarcely
knowiug hat dc with the charming little soul that
was c!asping itself so close 10 my soul turned
Al over IN my mind in various WAYS, ami
said What shall do with it Then IL appeared as
though IL would speak with Call ne Columbia, 1t
said; I am National anthem. You must dress ne in
the history Of the Naten aud adorn mt with It's gran
deuT."
A WEDDING WITH THE GODDESS OF LIBERTY.
81 had a conception sir. that the beautiful melody
must be welded the Goddess OF Liberty IL seemed
10 say 10 me Take yoar stand on Mount PaiuaSsus,
and draw out OF the history OF the Nation my bride
you will fad her there Will send for her to hear what
you have TO say then myself in Imagination,
sat at the feet OF the great Goddess. with
this little soul lying therejust ther'. Would she,
asked She the sovereign oi nifty million human hearts
look at this little ofsprng-wcd VITA him Z YES, she
Ind heard the voice. SHE willing to tie herself to
him Aud in that way II seemed TO me, here IN TINS
city they were united. private wedding took place
here in this room. II OF course In undress The
Goddess then said Prepare yoursels put yourself IN
dress clothe yourself as you WILL and the public we'd
ding will take place before the Nation in proper lime
Your parent Will the aay. When it comes yon
shall appear and will be united; and the Nation, and
all nations will admire u for ever
"something in that way was the feeling which pos
sessed me. had pretcntOns TO be poet. although
Ihave written popular songs that have had their day,
and all thar. But this came with iervid intensity
which demanded that history OF the Nation should
he in the Naiion's song that tie song OF the Nation
should be Its history that for all time everybody
who sang would sing the history Of the Nation"
Was the music running through your head ali the
timei" Mr.. Gilmore was asked.
.Al the time
"Hcw long did II take yOu TO write the words y
The words were written Ia the morning. and / have
net written It siuce except TO copy IT, The music was
composed ON the 9th. aud the words-yes, not the
next morning. but two days after had been con
fined TO the house aud had exercise, and my wife
was afraid that would lose my senses so she drove me
10 Central Park"
Mr.. Gilmore then recitcd the poem. pointing out its
specal beauties by the and observing that 1t con-
,aned everything IN the history OF The Nation worth
recording Pausing on the nc " In martyr-bood shed
not in VAIN" lac said:
Mot for the pay of the soldier. but in martyr-blood
Mark the distinction. That sweet word came to me at
o'clock in the morning do not desire TO make
soeeial ublic note OF the fact but my pulse al that
time WAS lI2 and expected to see the light OF
day And the ll,tle words came and moulded them
solves aud was so delighted with everything that
that Here Mr. Gilmore paused for superatiye in-
spiIation.
Are YOU an American, Mr. Gilmore y
.No SIR. was born in Ireland but any man who
would not pat his whole heart and soul into tIis gor
Gus shelter-and unworthy Of notice am citizen
and give my vote the best man. not for any party
Right Will always come out IL au effort is made IN hight
direction"
Are there any repetiiions in the musc-Such as in
the Marselaise for instance y
"No; II is all raZhtforward. with the same music
for every verse, OF Now, VIII JdSt hun The
music over Tor you. have kept 1t as sacred thing
h,, have had musical friends here caught
stantly SAID 10 them. You VIII entirely spoil my
method of bringing 1t ont II you make use Of H. GIVE
me your hand And when they did so, said. Your
fingers viii be paralyzed by the angel watching over II
fyou play il before give you permission And some
said We Will do nothing that the anger VINO tehdlhg
A. shall nave cause 10 complain or party came
slcr, time ago. aud In discussing 1t asked how many
rehearsals ia would rcqilrcwhethcr five or six would
be sufficient Five q sx,' said i've minutes Is all
want II you 40 learn IL IN 1--WE minutes II viii
never be a National II II does not 20 10 your heart
~ that time, II is no good"
now IT WILL De BROUGHT OUT.
When do yom intend TO bring OFT your anthemr
shall bring IL out ON Christmas Day as Christmas
,nsrag to lhs Nation; | think from 10 4, because
many people will desire to spend the evening at
their own honss shall produce II at tue Academy Of
iinsic and shalt the most splendid way. AN
gong the Mayor 20 preside, aud have an orator
Mr Eysrts IL can--to deliver Grafton upon t4e his
tory of The Nation from ats discovery by Columbus 10
tlc srpt and perhaps little history OF the National
songs Han Columba.' The slai.-lmDgled Banner