The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-02-25
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY.
Monument to be Erected to His Memory
at Frederick CITY.

lulOTLldtlOH ABOUT IIle sculptor HILL
self-Mr. Alexander Doyle, of New
York:
The design consists of circular
pedestal of granite on a series of I'M
usually wide-spreading bases. The
height of this pedestal is about fifteen
feet. 1t is simple in design save for a
band of carrying around the base of
the die and band of stars under the
cornice, the artist having devoted
more study to the simplicity and har-
mOny of its outlines than to fiorid
elaboration. Nevertheless, the whole
effect of the design is one of elabora-
ton owing to its sculptures. These
consist of a bronze statue nine feet
high, surrounding the pedestal, a
portrait of Mr. Key. He is represen-
ted on shipboard By the dawns early
light, as an inscription Immediately
below the statue certifies, at the mo-
ment he discovers that the flag is
still there His attitude is one of ex-
ultation and inspiration as with the
right arm he indicates to his compan-
ions the fact and with the other holds
aloft the hat that he has just snatched
from his head in an action of reveren-
tial salute to the starry flag.
AT the base of the pedestal is a
bronze group emblematical of patriot
ism. The figure of Liberty is seated,
with the flag resting on her shoulder.
teaching the lesson of patriotism to a
youth standing on her left. His right
hand rests on the flag, while his left
IS extended in a vow of fidelity. Her
left hand, extended, grasps the sword
of defense, with it's point resting on
the ground, while her left arm en-
braces the nude figure OF child
whose tender years fail 10 grasp the
significance of the lesson, but it in
stinctively extends it's little hand in
imitation of its elder companion, il
Illustrating the idea that patriotism
never is or can be alone the result of
calculated teaching, but springs from
the heart as instinctively as the love
of a child for its mother, even by the
dawn's early light OF intelligence.
Beneath the group, on the face of
its base, is carved the seal of Mary
land, surrounded by laurel and rest
ing on palm branch that extends
across the face of the stone. In the
rear OF the monument, resting on it's
base, is tablet bearing the immortal
text of ''The Star-Spangled Banner"
The committee which accepted the
design says in its report:
I'VE fix upon this design because
we consider that it embodies all of the
elements that the others represented
only in part. The pose of the heroic
figure of Key is beautiful, graceful,
full Of spirit and life. The expression
of the face is characteristic of the
calm JOY of the inspired soul upon be-
holding at the dawns early light
the beloved flag of the land of the
free The cOstuming is correct his
torical and finely poetic. The pedes-
tai and base unite originality and
rarity with chaste and classic sim
plicity and charm. The group, meant
as an ornament, becomes under per
feet treatment a story within itself, a
study that cannot help but inspire
and educate young as well as old-the
republic, the proud, imperious, daunt-
less mother, protecting her children
with fearless and loving embrace
beneath the folds of the flag that has
inspired the poet above their heads
with the glowing melody of the death
less thought. These ideas, we be-
lieve, will make a noble monument,
an artistic gift to future generations
and worthy memorial to those who
have striven in the name of patriot
ism to erect it."
1t was the desire of the association
to have the monument completed for
unwilling on September 10, 1897, but
it was realized that the artistic quail
| ity of the work would necessarily have
to be sacrificed, and it was deemed
wisest to allow the sculptor ample
time to perform his labor creditably
to art, to himself, to the memory of
Key and to the Judgment of the asso-
citation.
The committee on design of the as
ISOLATION consists of Folger McKinsey
chairman; Mrs. Augustus L. Eader,
Mrs. F. F. Smith, Mrs. j. H. Marley,
Mrs. Helen Sehley, Mrs. John H.
Richie and DR.. Edward Nelson, OF
Frederick; Miss Eleanore Murdoch
Tyler, of Baltimore; Mrs. Donald Nc
Lean, of New York; Mrs. Eliza beth
Bryant Johnson, of Washington, and
Mrs. Mary Shriver johnson, of Utica,
N. Y, to which has been added Mr..
Lewis A. Rice. The committee has
been continued by the association, to
have charge of the completion and
erection of the monument.
| AcpOr6incr to tho c,oacifioa tionc OF, H.