The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1894-08-03
NO. 33.

oOA00
ton bore down the stranded Vundaha
to her almost certain destruction, and
the encouraging cheer of the flagship
was answered by a response, faint un-
certain, and despairing?
Almost at once, as the last che d.ed
away:
Darkness hid the ships. As those
on shore listened for the crash, anoth-
er sonnd came up from the deep. 1t
was wild burst Of music in defiance
OF the storm. The Trenton's band was
playing "The Star-Spangled Banner.
The feelings OF the American on the
beach were indescribable. Men who
on that awful day had exhausted every
means Of rendering some assistance t.
their comrades now seemed inspired 10
greater efforts. They dashed at the
surf like wild crea ures; but they were
powerless.
No; it is too late to divorce words ard
music.
The song is generally accorded it's
deserved honor; the man who wro'e it
has been allowed to remain in obscuri-
ty. The Pacific coast alone, in one of
the most beautiful of personal monu-
ments in Golden Gate Park, San Fran
cisco has acknowledged his service to
his country service which will ter
inmate only with that country's life;
for he who gives a nation its popular
air, enfeoffs posteriiy with an inalien-
able gift. Yet Key was the close per-
sonal friend of jackson, Taney,--who
was his NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Ran
dolph, of Roanoke, and William Wiber-
force. He it was in all probability,
who first thought out the scheme of
the African Colonization Society; the
first, on his estate in Frederick County,
to open, in 1906, a Sunday school for
slaves; who set free his own slaves; AMI
who was, throughout his whole career,
the highest contemporary type Of a
modest Christian gentleman. This re-
ligious side of Keys character found
in that fine hymn found in
the hymnals of all Protestant denoml-
nations,
Lord, with glowing heart Id praise thse.
Foote, in his .'R R.miniscences, leads
us to think highly also Of Keys person
al appearance, and OF his powers as q
public speaker.
Francis Scott Key was the son of
John Ross Key, Revolutionary Off
Ger. He was born in Frederick Coun-
ty, Maryland, August, 1870. He stud
led law, was admitted to the bar at
subsequently moved to
Georgetown, and WAS district attorney
for three terms. lie was frequently
instructed with delicate missions by
President Jackson. A volume of his
poems was published in 1856. He
died in 1S43, and is buried in the lit
tie cemetery at Frederick, Maryland.
Efforts have been made in his native
State to erect monument over his
grave but unsuccessfully. In justice
such memorial shaft should be the
gift of the whole American people.
As it is, his grave is not without
tributes which are curious and honor
abe. During the war Frederick was
quiet "rebel town." but it contain
ed one good patriot besides Barbara
Frietchie. This loyal Mr.. B, when
he received favorable news from the
Northern army, or whenever his pa
triotism had need of bubbling over,
made pilgrimage to Keys
grave, and there, standing at the head
of it, exultantly and conscientiously
sang through the whole of Keys song.
On every Decoration Day the grave
is covered with flowers, and the flag
which always waves there the Star
Sp .ngled Banner which his strained
eyes saw on that 14th Of September,
1914, rise triumphant above the
smoke and vapor of battle-is reverent-
ly renewed.
Perhaps, after all, it is his best mon
umen'.
Tue flag Of 1914 and that of 1894
are nearly identical, the greatest change
being mer'ly in smaller stars in the
cluster. The flag of the Uni:ed States,
adopted June II, 1777, was one Of
thirteen stripes, alternate red and white,
with a union of thirteen white stars in
a blue field. Upon the admission Of
Kentucky and Vermont, two stripes and
two stars were added. This flag con-
tlnued in use until 1918, when, five
more States having been admitted, the
bars were reduced to the original thir.
teen, with an added star for every new
State, the star to be placed in position
on the Fourth of July following the
admisslon.-Th The Century,
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