New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-27
THE NATIONAL HYMN.
JULIA MORGAN HARDING. A D. r.. GIVES
HER VIEWS.

DrT1oN Gould WRITE NATIONAL
HYMN" SHE DECLARES.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: | have read with interest article which
appeared in the Womans Page OF The Tribune
January Is. and which expressed the views OF Miss
Janet Richards. OF Washington in regard TO n Ma
tiona hymn. As this IL a subject In which | take
some interest. venture to write you with regard
TO 1t from quite different point OF view.
Ever since the organization OF the Society OF the
Daughters Of the American Revolution. the subject
OF the National American hymn and National
hymn for the Daughters themselves has been dis
cussed In their annual councils TIE feeling seems
to be that we have nothing that can truly call
our own. and nothing which Is exactly what Ma
tional hymn should be. The Daughters OF the
American Revolution made general request
years ago that members OF the organization should
try their prentice hands at National lay. a COM
mittee being appointed to whom such productions
should be sent. and by whom. II fulfilling certain
conditions. which were left beautifully indefinite
they were TO be reported to the Continental Con-
gress Some OF the delegates OF two years go may
remember drcary evening spent in listening to n
programme Of National anthems. the outcome OF
this extraordinary attempt create out OF nothing
what could only come into existence In a time %
National peril. excitement over-wrought enthu-
sasm. reaching the point of temporary insanity
else through slow process OF evolution from the
folk-sonG OF primitive people. growing into the
heart Of nation slowly that It's progress Is
noticed No one in an absolutely and normal
mental condition could write a National hymn.
Consequently the ridiculous failure OF the attempt
made by the National Congress Of the D. A. r.
What do We want in the way OF a National
hymn? And what have We got? Tho last question
should perhaps be answered first.
n LAT ,Iad
american National Hymns" we are with true
American proftison. the fortunate and happy pos
SCISSORS OF eleven such. and in the whole lot there ia
not one which In music or words expresses eeva
and original ideas throughout. while OF them
are wholesale plagiarisms. musical and literary.
Five Of them are well known SIX are stupid COM
aonplace things. which have been pushed into bet
tor company than they deserve to keep and Amer
lea columbia. tho Gem OF the Ocean. Tho
StarSpanGled Banner" Hall Columbia" and
Yankee Doodle all claim tho honor OF being rec
oenized" This would s-em promising group from
when 10 choose one which should be adopted by
Congress; hut even were II embarrassment Of
riches instead Of the reverse no act Of Congress
VIII he able to create he National feeling which
will make Of any hymn a National one: still less
would il inspire the composition OF a new in
these piping times OF peace and comfortable COM
monpaces
Now. what do in the way OF National
hymn and why those we have so unsatisfac-
tory Neither Columbia. the Gem OF the Ocean,
nor HAL Columbia. while stirring songs, is
Of sufficient originality dignity to be National:
and the same objection applies more distinctly
10 Yankee Doodle" which in addition Is too sec
iional. II being associated with New England and
more particularly with the State OF Connecticut
THE Star-Spangled Banner" is a fine battle song
but its literary construction IL 700 involved make
I easy to memorize Is too long and lacks sim
phcity or styc and drectness OF expression The air
10 which /; is set is original an objection also
Urged against the hymn known America" and
which 10 many persons seems insuperable and
unansrcrahle Nevertheless. in the address given
before the Mary Washington Chapter OF the
Daughters Of the American Revolution in Wash
nGton. Miss Janet Richards makes an appeal for
/ tho exclusive recognition OF The Star-Spangled
Banner by act OF Congress. or, at least. that to
tie exclusion OF all others 1t be adopted by the Ma
tional Society OF the Daughter, OF the American
Revolution.
Now one must acknowledge the fac. thai neither
Or. Smiths nor Francis Scott Keys hymns are
exactly satisfactory: rather Notifying admss on
| for Americans. who apt 10 think they have the
best OF everything. But II such hymns born and
| not made. have either to make a choice from
these two. or wait few hundred years or so until
| circumstances have inspired the proper thing
when played by a good band. The Star Spa ngled
| Banner" Is thrilling and inspiring. but the
changes in the rhythm, and certain characteristics in
its musical construction. added 20 it's high pitch
Il
effect except in places
| That America is sung TO the music OF the Eng
| sh National anthem Is its only fault for in other
respects Z, nils the requirements OF noble patriotic
| ferNOr ana simplicity. II l. to memOriZe
10 sing. ana abOEe II u l. perfectly Ineligible 70
| children. have heard an assemblagr OF men and
/ women sing II with volume and enthusiasm tina;
| carried one quite away. and made every lon,
| 10 die for mis- cOunt-y-fOr q few minutes "a least
And the same people though they started quite
- braNcll with "Thr Star-Spau-lrd Banner" came
to ronfusion BY the tim" they reached the third
Line. and let IN" lign notes beautifully alone. a
/ faint slueal Onit coming from few Ventur-sOme
souls. VINO IN Other circumstances would be- leading
! armies II n H. necessary. and j. really ad-
si-able crNstalliZe public sentiment in favor OF
on, distinctive American hymn. why should il no.
De America And Whl should the great
English-sp"akius nations share good old English
tune though yOicng distinctly different politi
cal sentiments and ideas; The splendid Old melody
which possibly originated Win the in the for
est- OF Germany. belongs TO rs by INHERITANCE and
/ 10 entirely The tar-SDanEied
Banner was written during which the coun-
irv did not especially want. and perpetuates 4
family quarrel which ought 10 br FORGOTTEN. where
1 rs America" most rmpha ti,ily. since the arbi-
tration treaty has brought England into closer
afionship with speaks OF common ancestry
and breathes spirit of peace As We'll az or patriot
ism
and interest which belong 70 music attached by
association TO certain places and concentrating
certain events such as Dixie and the "Marsen
/ lafse" But there IL no possible chance Tor any
patriotic air to become endeared 70 the whole coun
irv as Dixie is the South. for the reason that
the Confederacy marched to war, lost its battles.
unless indeed. some other Nation gives us a sound
thra shing and that u most fortunately never likely
- happen JULIA MORGAN HARDING.
Pittsburg Jan. D. 1887