Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-15
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.


has yet adopted the practice of having the
national anthem played by the orchestra
as curtain or as an opening or closing
selection. That in that instance il meets
public approval is evidenced by the APP
plause frequently bestowed by the audi
ence when the strains of the patriotic air
have begun. At another San Francisco
theater patriotic drama Is now being
played. it draws crowded houses, and on
adj sides has commentator for its cleanli-
ness and its fine spirit. But on recent
visit to that theater, when the war drama
was presented, it was noted that during the
entire performance the orchestra did not
permit itself to indulge in an American
air, nor at the fall of the curtain was the
national anthem played, as is now done in
most of the New York theaters, but dur
ing the entire performance the orchestra
avoided national airs-apparently pur-
posely. The management of the house in
question being appealed to to have the
national anthem thereafter substituted for
the foreign selection that was played at
the close, replied with a shrug of the
shoulders that itamounted to nothing, that
most of the New York theaters had aban-
doned or would abandon the idea-in
short, that there was no particular reason
why Americans should hear American airs
in American theaters was the undeniable
tone of the reply.
We agree with the Chicago Inter Ocean,
which, in commenting upon the practice
In the sixteen New York theaters, saws:
1t would be good example to follow all over
the country Let Americans be welcomed to
their evenings entertainments with their ma
tionai hymn as are the English people with
GOD save the Queen" There is no better way
to cultivate patriotism than by patriotic music
which should become as familiar as are the
lullaby songs OF childhood.
Some people, who assume to know
good deal more about the effect of patriotic
music upon the public mind than Justice
TO truth warrants, have ventured to tip
tilt the nose at the new custom which it is
hoped will become general. 1t Is said by
such that with a full chorus, at appropriate
times and in fitting places, there is some
thing thrilling about the rendering of such
airs, but that to play them at the close of
theatrical entertainments degrades and
vulgarizes the music and the idea. All
which is nonsense. At the risk of Invok-
ing the charge Of being English in senti-
ment, the American can well point to the
example of the people of England, who
sing or have played their national anthem
at all public gatherings, except those of
religious character. The English people
for more than century have followed the
custom, and are so far from abandoning it
that the bare suggestion to do so would
stir the nation with Indignation from CEN
ter to circumference.
If national airs are not degraded" by
being played in the street parades of polit-
ical clubs and circus pegeants, at the doors
of slogging exhibitions and on occasions of
about every character where bands or
orchestras are introduced, it cannot de-
grade them or lessen the respect of Amer
lean citizens for them If they are made the
musical welcome or benediction in the
places where the public assemblies to wit
ness dramatic performances. There is this
about the rendering of national airs and
hymns-that at all times and upon all oc-
casions they are fitting, and an instance is
yet to be pointed out in which the Ameri-
can people have considered patriotic music
inappropriate or unwelcome, if we except
only such as are related to funereal occa-
sions.
Perhaps there is no better evidence of
the wisdom of the Inauguration of the
custom by the New York managers of
opening or closing the entertainments in
their places of amusement with patriotic
music than the manifestations of approval
on the part of the people and the COM
mendations given by the press everywhere,
except perhaps where the foreign atmos-
phere envelops the community, as in the
alien town in Pennsylvania where the
people mobbed those who attempted to
raise the American flag over an American
school-house. There is not particle of
danger of the national anthem, ''The Star
spangled Banner being degraded by
repetition before the people