Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-05-20

II remember" said Mr.. Smith when
interviewed the other day, that the after
noon in which wrote the little song wal
drear and cloudy-a February afternoon
in 1882. Mr.. w. G. Woodbridge, g
Boston gentleman who took great inter
est in collecting song books and music
had returned from Germany with mum.
Der of children's song books. Mr. Low
ell Mason, publisher of children's
songs, had secured the books. and be.
cause of my familiarity with the lam
guage they were turned over to me.
had written number Of songs for Mr.
Mason before that time, and in that way
he came to know me.
Turning over the books this after,
noon my eye caught a song with the
meter l adapted. The sentiment at
tracted me. and before night the poem
was written and laid away In my port,
folio. Some time after took it to Mr..
Mason. never thought any more abou,
it. Indeed, l was surprised to find tina,
it received any public attention. 1t was
first sung in public, as far as l know, q,
the old Park Street church in Boston the
following fourth of July, and was sur
prised when l saw it on the programme.
l did not call the song America" OF
give it any name. That was Mr.. Mason's
work. The song did not become noted
until the time of the civil war, when il
grew into great favor"
What do you think made it so popu
lar?"
Il really do not know" laughed the
venerable man. Il wonder at it myself,
but was talking with DR.. Oliver Wen.
dell Holmes about that very thing not
long ago. He said he had studied the
song to find what it was that caught the
public favor. He said he had concluded
that the first word was the secret of its
power. My country was an appeal to
IL u.
Every one who sung it felt that it was his
II had said our country DR..
Holmes thinks it would have divided the
every person would have felt
that he had only share in the country
as he sung Our country. 1 think Dr.
Holmes may he right. 1 have often
wished that l had known the future of
the poem, said Mr.. Smith. thoughtfully
| would have taken more care with it
made some corrections in it,"
Mr.. Smith is minister of the Baptist
church, and preaching has been his life
work. He has written a number of
hymns, but has never made collection
of his works. The Morning Light is
Breaking" is as famous as religious
hymn as his America" is as a national
hymn anthem. He and Mr.. Mason COLI
lected and edited the first book of chill
dren's songs published in this country. 1t
was called the Juvenile Tyre. The air OF
America" was taken from the German
song book, though English critics claim
it as an English melody. 1t is the same
as God Save the King" the national all
of Great Britain. 1t is not the nationa
air of Germany, however, as many sup
pose. The Danes also claim that the
music originated with them.
On the occasion of the national centen.
nial on April 80. last, Mr.. Smith added
the centennial stanza to his former hymn
Here it is:
Our joyful hearts to-day
Their grateful tribute pay.
Happy and free.
After our hopes and fears,
After our blood ana tears,
Strong with our hundred years
Oh, Lord to Thee.
He also wrote for the Chicago Daits
Ne,os a century hymn, which will be reat
with interest by all who heard him yester
day as it is the latest poetic work of hi
pen:
Strengthened and trained by toll and tears,
Born of the bold, the brave and free,
nation, with its hundred years,
Its tribute brings, o Lord, to Thee.
What blessings, from Thy sovereign hand
What trials. has the century brought
How has this free and glorious land
Been loved, defended, led and taught
Our cautious feet, by night, by day,
Slowly the upward path have trod,
God was our light, aud God our stay,
In flood and fire, in grief and blood.
So the brave oak in cal m and storm,
Sprea"s its strong roots ana boughs abroad,
Grows grand in grace and stalwart 70 m,
Honored Of men, and loved OF God.
The century ends-our hosts in peace
Hold the broad land from sea to sea,
Anu every tongue, and every breeze
Swells the sweet anthem OF the free
Still may the banner of Thy love
Ger all our land IN glory rest
Our heaven appointed @gis prove,
And make the coming centuries bleet.
Mr.. Smith. though for many years
resident Of Massachusetts. now lives a
Eggleston. near Chicago. He pays fire.
quent visits to his son, s. F. Smith, who
is one of the wealthiest citizens and {
member of the common council of the
city of Davenport.
BRIEFLETS.
Mitt sale at McCabe Bros.
Mitts at McCabe's, 8 cents.
Ribbon sale at McCabe Bros.
Read McIntire Bros. advertisement.
Large quart clippers 8 cents at thu
Fair.
Fine glass tum5lers 90 cents a set a
the Fair.
Mirrors all sizes and prices at thu
Fair.
Light weight Jeserys-new arrivals. a
McIntire Bros.
A full line of crockery and glassware