The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-04-17

REV. S. F. SMITH. Scfool cnlloren. 1nere
was also music by Baldwin's Cadet Band and
solos by Mrs. Jennie Patrick walker and
Joseph. l.. White The Rev. Edward Everett
Hale and othersspoke.
The main celebration came in the evening,
when another big audience gathered in
Music Hail to listen to addresses interSpersed
with music. Curtis Guild. Jr., introduced
Governor Greenhalge. Of Massachusetts,, to
preside.
: In taking the chair. the Governor said that
the Commonwealth felt through every nerve
and pulse the full significance of this oc-
casion. The Hallelujah chorus was sung by
125 voices from the Handel and Hayden
Society, conducted by Carl Zerrahn, after
which the Rev. DR.. Smith told anew the story
of america"
DIR. Smith said that, travelling in Italy
few years since with O small company OF
Americans, he spent few days in the buried
city of Pompeii In the company was SIS
ter Of the Hutchinson family, and after par
taking Of frugal meal in one OF the exca-
vated baths, 1t was suggested that it would
be appropriate sin that dead and buried city
to sing live hymn"-so We sang one with
such feryor that a company OF Scotchmen
not far away heard us and joined us. Then
they all sang "Auld Lang Syne." The
added volume of sound attracted group of
third nationality, and third National song
was sung.
Dr. Smith then told how "America" came
to be written. In 1881 Commissioner Wood
bridge, Of New York. was sent to Germany to
inspect the public schools there. He found
that a great interest was taken in music, and
brought home several music books, placing
them in the hands Of Lowell Mason. AS MIR.
Mason had no knowledge of German he asked
DR.. Smith to translate some Of the songs, so
he could write new words for some OF the
music, as he wished to prepare choir book
for children's voices.
Dr. Smith was looking over this book one
day in February, 1892 when his attention
was drawn to tune which he thought par
ticularly appropriate because OF it's simple,
natural movement. The German words
were patriotic and he was seized with the
thought: 81 will write patriotic hymn OF
nv own" Then and there America" was
composed, written on a scrap Of paper. 1t
was composed in less than half an hour and
reposed in the folds of portfolio for long
time before being sent to Mr.. Mason, who
brought it out on the Fourth OF July at
ehildren's celebration in Park Street Church,
Boston.
This was the first time it was sung in pub
he. It was first published in the Juvenile
Lyre," children'S song book. DIR. Smith
said that he was not by any means persuaded
that the music was of English origin. There
Is good authority for the statement that 1t
was written by German.
DR.. Smith spoke of the opposition which
was excited against the introduction OF the
study Of music into the Boston public
schools. Eventually MIR. Mason's book was
adopted, and then, year by year, the song
America" was taken up in school after
school throughout the length and breadth OF
the country.
The audience applauded wildly at the con-
elusion of DIR, Smiths remarks. EX-Gover-
nor Long, OF Massachusetts,, was then intro
duced and delivered IN address. The Har-
ward Glee Club followed with an original
ode written by Henry O'Meara. They were
encored.
Colonel A. A. Pope spoke patriotically up
on america From Soldiers Standpoint" )"
and Mrs Jennie Patrick Walker aroused the
audience to high pitch of enthusiasm by
singing ''The Star Spangled Banner
Professor E. P. Jackson read an original
poem, ''Our National Anthem" and after
the Handel and Haydn Society had sung ITO
Thee, Country" Department Commander
Thayer Of the Massachusetts G. A. R. de-
Evered an address on America as an In
spiration to Veterans"
DR.. Alva Hovey, of Newton Seminary,
spoke of ''The Author of America, as Neigh
bor," and after the chorus had sung wash
ington and His Flag" the exercises were
closed by the whole audience singing
"America."
Congratulatory teiegrams were received
from the Governors of Iowa and Wyoming,
from the Department of the Potomac, De-
partment of Massachusetts G. A. R., and
from other organizations.
The ringing of the Columbian Liberty Bell
constituted the celebration at Chicago in
honor Of the the Rev. Samuel Francis Smith,
author OF america" Mayor Hopkins and
Superintendent Lane Of the Chicago public
schools were in charge Of the ceremony. The
bell was rung by delegation of pupils from
the schools, one for each State and Territory
Of the Union.
After the ringing the gathering joined in
the singing OF the National hymn, and tele-
gram appropriate to the occasion was sent to
Music Hall, Boston, where the main celebra-
ton was in progress.
Dr. Samuel F. Smith. the venerable author
of the National hymn America" was appro-
priately remembered in Birmingham, Ala,
by the pupils Of the several public schools.
At noon the pupils gathered in the recitation
halls OF the several buildings and carried out
Especial programme.
Sewsy Gleanings.