The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-24
THE NATIONAL HYMN.
COMPOSED TO HELP FRIEND.
vbsn First Sung in Phiiads'ph's IL Crsassa
.Turor and was Demanded hepesI
edIy-Enect Of La Msrseiiiaise.
MANY Americans do not know the his

Is here q love and taste Tor music ana
n liberal way of compromising al
lists. America is not a thoroughly musical
nation. Be this as it may, no city in the
world to-day can command so many excel
lent orchestras, and in no other city during
the musical season are the various depart;
ments of musical literature so wen covered
and presented as 10 the musical pubic OF
New York city. OF course we cannot boast OF
any renowned composers. or even national
SONGS such as LA Marseillaise." Watch
Am Rhein.n &C.. and though neither the
words nor the music OF Hail columbia
can be highly praised. every one knows
that when the patriotic feeling ~ an assem-
blv ia reused. If person will only step for
ward and say. Behold the flag OF our
Union" the audience will burst into oheers.
How many orators have caught an au-
dience by a happy allusion to seeing the
flag of the United States in foreign land,
and in some cases wrought large assem-
blages up to the highest pitch OF excite
ment. Tears have glistened IN many eyes
during such scenes.
WRITTEN IN 1898.
Hail Columbia" was written in the sum,
mer Of 1898, at a moment when the United
States seemed about TO be drawn intoa war
with France. their old ally and friend.
The American ENJOYS sent out by Presl-
dant Adams. with no other object than 10
rostOle a good understanding. were thought
10 have been grossly insuited by France;
Army and navy werein preparation. General
Washington had accepted the chief command
with Alexander Hamilton as MS second, ana
nothing was thought of but impending war.
A vocalist bv the name OF Fox was about
10 have benefit in Philadelphia, aud, ow-
inc TO tho excitement that prevailed. the
prospect of q good attendance was not en-
courapiup His benefit was announced IOr
a Monday evening. and 1t was only on the
Saturday previous that he had an idea tor
drawing house. u
Ii appears that one of his school-feliows;
Joseph Hopkinson. son OF distinguished
father had become man OF note IN the IN
telleotuai circles of Philadelphia. Mr.. Hop
kinson was at the time yioe-presldent OF the
American Philosophical Society, founded
bv DIR. Franklin, and presided over by
Thomas Jefferson. He was also president
of the Academy Of Fine Arts, and was some
what noted for his poetlcal illusions.
The vocalist IN his extremity went TO his
old school friend and told him that he had
little chance Of d paying audience unless ne
could announce something new and striking
in the way of patriotic song, piece that
cou,d be sung by the whole company o an
EASY or familiar tune like the Presidents
March"
He added that the poets of the company
had been trying TO produce the required
song, but had been unable to accomplish II;
Il will see what | can do for you, SAID
Hopkinson.
SO the vocalist called the next afternoon
when the words were ready for him. and ne
took them at once to musician of the thea
ire. who selected and adapted TO them an Old
and easy air. On Monday morning the song
was announced in the newspapers and dill
gently rehearsed upon the stage.
ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED.
crowded house rewarded the efforts Of
the singer and the poet and the song was
received with the greatest enthusiasm.
The words and music were at once publish
ed and the piece was sung at every patriotic
gathering during that period OF excitement.
A particular circumstance added TO us
popularity and was. perhaps, the true cause
| of its remaining for forty years, not merely
| the fayorite national song but the only
composition that could be fairly called by
| TINT name. During tho first year or the
| Revolutionary movement in France from
1859 to the execution of Louis XVI. and
| Marie AntOinette. in 1793-lts progress was
| watched in America with an enthusiastic
| approval of which we can now scarcely form
| an idea. But the cruel and needless e1ecu-
ton of the King and Queen checked the
| enthusiasm and soon divided the country
into two parties on the subject. one defend
| ing. the other eXecratlng the conduct or the
| Revolutionary leaders.
At the height of the first excitement.
| while the placid Washington was still IN
sympathy with the people Of France. 8
manager in Philadelphia revived Addison 8
| famous old tragedy Of Cato" Before the
| play began the curtain rose and the full
! company of actors. ranged in semi-circle
upon the stage. sang the national hymn OF
| France. La Marseillaise,' new compost
ton then.
| The audience sprang up and Joined in the
chorus. The house presented scene OF ex
element without previous parallel IN the
| staid City of Quakers' At the end OF tht
first act of the tragedy the audience called
for repetition of the inspiring song. II
| was given as before. the people joining wild
lv in the chorus. At the end of every &C
the "Marseillaissn was demanded aud re
peated. 1t seemed as if the people could
not get enough Of 1t.
Even upon us. who have been familiar
with it. this wonderful song has an eiec
unlike that of any other. The next evening
| and every evening. as soon as the musician:
came into the orchestra the cry arose al
over the house for La Marseillaise."
SUNG EVERY NIGHT.
II was Of no use 10 resist, for the people
| would listen 10 no other music. Generally
the audience. or some part Of 1t. would
catch the spirit of the piece and thunder on
| the chorus. 1T grew into q custom. and fO1
three or four wears the piece was sung ever,
night. But as the guillotine in Paris quick
ened its activity the enthusiasm abated