Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-23

was raised in the theatre and they gave
way. The next night they stood firm anu
/ were well pelted for their pains. Inc
! Federalists were highly indignant. The
| theatre, said they, more than any other
/ place, brings men of all classes together.
/ The managers should therefore pay some
/ heed to public feeling in the selection OF
the music. The present is no time 10
CRATE the public ear with those Gallo
murder shouts, sea ira" and the car
magnole." The enthusiastic clamor, with
which the "President's March" had been
called for, and the deafening applause
with which it had been greeted should
have taught them this. Is ii the purpose
Of a theatre company to please or to Insult
the publicg The action OF pelting the
fiddler and smashing the fiddle is greatly
to be condemned. The firm and dignihed
conduct Of leaving the theatre and keep.
ing away till the managers solemnly
promise that the "Presicenps March"
shall be the first tune played IN
the house, is much 10 be preferred.
The theatre. the Republicans protested,
was public house. and the managers
would do we'll TO keep this in mind. II,
however, they were determined to make
it the resort Of the British faction, then
let them look to that faction for support.
Every earnest Republican and true pat
Tejonder, is greatly to be wished. Men
Of sense long for the time when the Jaco-
bins and their murder-shOuts shall be
driven from every 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 favOrite actor drew near. No
man knew better than he how tOproft by
the popular will, and at no time in the
whole course Of his life had 80 fine a
chance Of prohting 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 purpose than 10 shout them
selves hOarse over the "Presidents
March" He determined 10 make use Of
this fact. He would take the march, find
some one to write a few patriotic stanzas
to suit it, aud, on the night Of his benefit,
sing them to the house. Some Federal
lists were consulted, were pleased with
the idea, and named Joseph HOpkinsOn
as the man best fitted to write the words.
He consented, and in few hours "Hail
Columbia" was produced. The night for
the benefit was that Of Wednesday, April
-. and the GGget6e announced that the
performance would comprise a comedy
called the Italian Monk" the comic
opera of "ROsina;" "More Sack" an cpl
logue on the character Of Sir John Fail
staff; and ian entire new song written
BY citizen Of Philadelphia }, to the tune
of the Presidents March, will be sung
by Mr.. Fox, accompanied by the full band
and grand chorus:
'Firm united let us be
Rallying round orr liberty;
As a 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 applauded, the whole house
joined in the chorus, and, when the verse
''Behold the chief who now commands
was reached, the audience rose 10 its feet
and cheered TIL the building shook 10 its
foundations. Four times the song was
encored, was demanded again at the end
OF the pantOmine, and again at the close
of the play. A few called for "Ca ira, -
but were quickly put down. The words
Of "Hail Columbia" were printed In full
in the newspapers 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 repeti-
ton; then, perhaps, the two or three
French Americans who remained might
feel the charm OF patriotism and join in
the chorus OF the song.