Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-08-18
HAIL COLUMBIA.
Mr.. MINISTER'S ACCOUNT OF THE
ORIGIN OF THE NATIONAL SONG.
In Incident Of the Times Of 179S-Parfy
Strife Between Old Time "Federalists"
and ''Repubiicans"-The Pop
uiar "President's March"

from 1.-THE People Of the United States ~
Thousands Of men who dezpisej John
Adams, vino detestel the Feieralists, who
loathe1 the influences Great Britain had in
federal affairs. now turned to support the
government WITH vigor. Their hearts were
still warm toward France But they could
no. suffer even 90 OLD and dear an ally to
leap I'D insult on their native land. Such
an outburst Of patriotism had never before
been seen 1t began at Philadelphia, and
spread thence as fast as the post-riiers
could carry the news Night after night at
the theatre, pit. boxes and gallery joined IN
one mi ,hty shout for tho Presidents
March, for Yankee Doodle CT for the
stirring music of Stony Point While the
airs were being played The widest ex-
element prevailed The auiience poss to
their feet, stood upon the seats, waved hats
and walking sticks. sang. cheered, and,
when the piece was finished, demanded that
it should be given over and over again
Then band of hardy Republicans in some
part Of the gallery or the pit would call for
Cara or the Marseillaise' hymn, till their
cries were drowned amid storm Of groans
and his,es Not to BE- outions, the Re-
publicaas thereupon bribsd the musicians to
p,ay no federal tunes. The first night they
the theatre and they gave way. The next
night they stood firm and were well pelted
for their pains.
The Federalists 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 thoss Gallo muir
der shouts. Ca ira and the 1Carmagnole. y
| The enthusiastic clamor with which the
| Presidents March hal been called for and
the deafening applause with which it had
been greeted should have taught them this
| Is it the purpose of n theatre company to
please or to insult the publicl Tie action
| OF pelting the fiddler and smashing the fid-
| die is greatly TO be condemned. The firm
and dignified conduct of leaving the theatre
| and keeping away till the managers
| solemnly 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 dc
| well to keep this in mind. II. 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
| rejoinder, is greatly TO lie wished. Men OF
| sense long for time when the Jacobins and
! their murder shouts shall te 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 a favorito 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 chance Of
profiting 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
DO Q than t. shout themselves hoarse ovei
the Presidents March" He determined &c
| make use of this fact. He would take the
march, find some one to write few pa
! triotic stanzas to suit it and on the night OF
his benefit sing them TO the house. Some
| Federalists wers consulted, were pleased
| with the idea, and named Joseph Hopkin-
son rs the man best fitted 70 write the words
He consented. ami in few hours "Hail
| Columbia" was produced. The night for
tie benefit was that of Wednesday, the 18th
| OF April. and The Gaz tie announced that
the performances would comprise a comedy
| called "1'he Italian Monk the comic opera
| of "Rosina;" More Sack" an epilogue OF
! the character OF Sir John Falstaff, and Ear
entire new song written by a citizen OF
PHILADELPHIA to the tune ct the the PRES
| dents March, will be sung by Mr.. Fox, &c
| companied by the full hand and grand
chorus:
/ f,1 LAT, Ia