Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-08-13
KEY r1oNUrlENT UNVEILED.

The monument erected 10 ib4
memory OF Francis Scott Key, al
thor of the "Star Spangled Banner, z
was unveiled on Tuesday, in Moun.
Olivet Cemetery, Frederick, Nd, by
his great grand daughter, Julia Nc
Henry Howard, of Baltimore.
1t consists OF circular pedestal
of gray granite on a series of vide
spreading bases. The height of this
pedestal is IA feet 9 inches, and its
breadth at the base is Is feet, max
ing the base As feet in circumfer-
ence. 1t is exceedingly simple in
design save for band of carving
around the base of the die and a
band of stars under the cornice. The
whole effect of the design is one of
elaboration owing to its sculptors.
These include bronze statue, nine
feet high, surrounding the granite
pedestal. Key is represented on
shipboard aby. the dawn's early
light and upon the band that CIR
dies the pedestal beneath his feet is
the inscription a'Tis the Star Span
gled Banner which certifes that
these were the words that inspired
his soul when he discovered that
"the flag is still there" His atti.
tude is one of exultation and inspi-
ration, as with the right arm he in.
dicates to his companions the fact,
and with the other he holds aloft the
hat that he has just snatched from
his head in an action of reverential
salute to the starry banner.
The pose of the heroic figure of
Key is beautiful, graceful, full of
spirit and life. Tie expression of
his face is characteristic of the
calm joy Of the inspired soul upon
beholding the beloved flag of "the
land OF the free and the home of the
brave" The costuming is correct,
historically and finely poetic.
The pedestal and base unite orig
inality and rarity with chaste and
classic simplicity and charm. The
group, meant as an ornament to the
statue, becomes, under perfect treat
ment, charming story within it
self, study that cannot help but
educate the young as well as the
old-the republic, the proud, i'm
perious, dauntless mother, protect
ing her two 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 his deathless
thought.
At the base of the pedestal, on a
massive granite block Of FIVE tons
weight, is this bronze group, emilia
matte OF patriotitm. 1t consists of
three figures. The central, or prin-
teipal one, is that of female sym.
bolizing the Goddess OF Patriot
ISM Her height, if standing, would
be fully seven feet. She is repre-
scented as sitting in an easy, natural
position. The figure is large and i'm
posing. On the back of her head is
Grecian bonnet, and around the
brow wreath of laurel. About her
waist is band, or broad girdle, orn.
amented with raised stars around
the lower border, and in the center
with a shield, an eagle and flag.
The right arm is extended in an easy
and graceful manner, and the hands
hold a staff, from which the starry
banner gracefully falls in folds. The
staff is surmounted by a spread
eagle. On her left is the figure of
q boy, apparently about Is years Of
age, standing erect, his hands rest
ing on sword, representing war.
The face is strikingly firm, express
ing temper and great determination.
Her left arm embraces and partly
supports the nude figure of boy
about five years ofage, representing
song or music. In his lett hand he
holds Tyre and with the right
grasps the overhanging folds OF the
flag by which it is partly enveloned.
In q crypt sunk deeply in the
eight foot foundation of the monu-
ment repose the remains of Francis
Scott Key, and his wife, Mary Tay-
lor Key. They were removed there
from their former resting place in
an obscure section Of the cemetery
by the association, by permission of
his two daughters, Mrs. Howard and
Mrs. Steele, prior to their death
which occurred only recently. Hon.
Henry Watterson, of Kentucky, was
the orator of the day, and made a
powerful, masterful and eloquent
grafton.