The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-09-10


r7-oro suTbe People Of the United states.'1
Thousands of men who despised John
Adams who detested the Federalists, who
Ioafbed the influence Great Britain had In
federal affairs, now turned to support the
government with vigor. Their hearts were
still warm toward France. But they could
not suffer even so old and dear an ally TO
heap I'D insult on their native land. Such
an outburst of patriotism had never before
been seen. It began at Philadelphia, and
spread thence as fast as the post-riders
could carry the news. Night after night at
the theatre, pit, boxes and gallery joined in
one mighty shout for the presidents
March," for "Yankee Doodle" or for the
stirring music of sStony Point" While the
airs were being played the widest ex-
element prevailed The audience rose to
their feet, stood upon the seats, waved hats
and walking sticks, sang, cheered, and,
when the piece was finished, demanded that
1t should be given over and over again.
Then band Of hardy Republicans in some
part Of the gallery or the pit would call for
"Caira" or the Marseillaise" hymn, till their
cries were drowned amid a storm OF groans
and Kisses. Not to be outdone, the RO
publicans thereupon bribed the musicians to
play no federal tunes. The first night they
refused a storm Of Indignation was raised in
night they stood firm and were we'll pelted
for their pains.
The Fedsralists were highly indignant.
The theatre, said they, more than any
other place brings men Of all classes to-
gether. The managers should therefore pay
some heed TO public feeling in the selection
of the music. The present is no time to
CRATE the public ear with those Gallo muir
der shouts, "Ca ira" and the "Carmagnole."
The enthusiastic clamor with which the
PRESIDENTS March" had been called for and
the deafening applause with which it had
been greeted should have taught them this.
Is it the purpose of q theatre company to
please or to insult the public? The action
OF pelting the fiddler and smashing the f1d-
die is greatly to be condemned. The firm
and dignifed conduct of leaving the theatre
and keeping away till the managers
solemnIy promise that the PRESIDENTS
March" shall be the first tune played in the
house Is much to be preferred.
The theatre, the Republicans protested was
a public house and the managers would do
we'll to keep this in mind. If, however, they
were determined to make it the resort Of the
British faction, let them look to that faction
for support Every earnest Republican and
true patriot would keep away. This was the
rsjoinder, is greatly to be wished. Men Of
sense long for time when the Jacobins and
their murder shouts shall be driven from
Ae7ery decent resort. Let them desert the
%theatre and with the shillings thus saved
pay some Of their old debts
While the factions wrangled the benefit
night Of faYorite actor drew near. No man
knew better than he how to profit by the
popular will, and at no time in the whole
course of his life had SO fine a chance Of
prodting by the popular will been offered
him. Politics ruled the hour The city was
full of excited Federalists who packed the
theatre night after night for no other pur
pose than to shout themselves hoarse over
the PRESIDENTS March" He determined to
make use Of this fact. He would take the
march, find some one to write a few pa
triotio stanzas to suit it. and on the night of
his benefit sing them to the house. Some
Federalists were consulted, were pleased
with the idea, and named Joseph Hopkfn-
son as the man best fitted TO write the words.
he consented, and in q few hours "Hail
Columbia" was produced. The night for
the benefit was that of Wednesday the 25th
Of April, and The Gazette announced that
the performance would comprise a comedy
called 1.-THE italian Monk" the comic opera
of "Rosina;" "More Sack" an epilogue on
the character of Sir John Falstaff, and IAN
entire new song written by citizen Of
PhilRdelphia), to the tune Of the the sPresi-
dents March, will be sung by Mr.. Fox, ac-
companied by the full band and a grand
chorus:
Firm united let US be,
Rallying round our liberty;
As band Of brothers Joined,
Peace and safety we shall find. +"
Long before the curtain rose the house
was too small to hold the thousands who
clamored to be let in. Those who got in
were too excited to wait quietly for the
song At last the comedy ended and Mr..
Fox appeared upon the stage. Every line
was loudly spplauded, the whole house
Joined in the chorus, and when the verse
sBehold the chief who now commands" was
reached the audience rose TO its feet and
cbeered till the building shook to its founda-
tons. Four times the song was encored,
was demanded again at the end Of the
pantomime and again at the close of the
play. A few called for Ca ira" but were
quickly put down. The words Of "Hail, Co
lumbia" were printed in full i'll the news
papers of the following day. The Gazette
hoped that every lady in the city would
practice the music, learn the words and sing
them at the next repetition; then, perhaps,
the two or three FFench-Americans who re-
manned might feel the charm of patriotism
and iOin in the chorus of tho cOr0