The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-26
"HAIL COLUMBIA
The Song That Electrified
the Country.
New York observer,)

New York Observer.)
An American song that has been re-
membered and sung for hundred years
is too good not to have its centennial
recognized and honored. Rumors of
war were rife when the song was writ
ten. War was an actually between the
United States andT SPAN when the
spring and summer of its hundredth
year were passing. A revival of the con-
ditions that gave it birth is a coinci-
dence worthy of mention. The recent
war ended without giving birth to a
sorely needed creation-a new Ameri-
can song, a song that will survive not
merely campaign of war, but a gen
GRAFTON.
Hail, Columbia" was written in 1898
by Joseph Hopkinson Q770-1S42) vice
presidentof the American Philosophical
society AID president of the Pennsyl-
Nania Academy of Fine Arts, War be-
tween France and England was then
though inevitable. Congress was in ses-
sion in Philadelphia and celebrating on
that subject. The theatre in Philadel-
phia was open. Gilbert Fox profess
sional vocalist, was about to receive a
~ A-NAit" IL sllli IlppAllsOI NEIG lOl
lner schoolmates. He called upon Mr..
Huplinson at No. 1872 Spruce street,
, Philadelphia, one Saturday afternoon in
April, previous to the Monday when the
benefit was to be received. He wanted
a patriotic song adapted to Gen. Wash
/ lngton's March or THE President S
! March that had been composed in 1889
I by German named Feyles in honor of
/ President Washington and that was
played in 1889, when Washington came
10 New York to be inaugurated.
Hopkinson presented Washington,
whose praises were sounded in the
! fourth stanza, with copy of his song.
Fox believed that the song desired
would gain for him what up to that date
was not assured-a fun house. Hopkin-
I son promised TO try his gift and art as
requested
/ He completed the song Sunday after
noon and gave it to the singer when he
called. 1t was announced Monday morn
ing and sung Monday evening, accom-
I panied by a full band and chorus. 1t
was encored eight times. the audience
/ finally Joining in the chorus. 1t found
favor with both American parties that
I sided with England or with France. 1t
i was sung in Philadelphia by congress
men at night on the streets and in all
parts Of the land by crowds. 1t cleo
trlfied Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson
+ and McHenly.
/ The object Of Hopkinson was to get
/ up an American spirit that should re
gard American honor and rights, IL
( respective Ct the issue between France
and England. The object seems to have
been accomplished for biographer OF
Hopkinson says that this song, melting
national pride, probably helped to avert
/ enlargement in the European conflict
i Messrs. Reinagle and Wignall. of the
then new theatre on Chestnut street
arranged the music for the song and for
/ The Presidents March. -" Both were
/ produced by Willig, a music dealer on
South Fourth street, Philadelphia. 1t is
+ not customary for regimental bands to
/ play during battle but in the civil
war at Williamsburg, Shiloh and Get
/ tysburg, they played Hail Columbia
and Yankee Doodle" During the CEN
. tennial exhibition in Philadelphia. 1876
an autograph copy was displayed in the
museum at Independence hall.
The Rev r. p. Mason, a Congrega-
tional chaplain in the civil war, recall
ing IN 1863 the power of vocal and in
strumental music over the soldiers
said: L sometimes thought that the
grand old patriotic peal of Hail Column
bia,' and the heart thrilling war SONG
OF The Star Spangled Banner exer-
cised a mightier sway than any other
single cause whatever. Jefferson
gave us the Declaration of Indepens
dencei Hamilton gave us the Constitu-
ton; Washington gave us his Farewell
/ Address-was the benediction less when
/ Hopkinson gave US Hail Columbia? - {"
Hopkinson was a native of PhiladeI-
! phla, graduate of the University OF
Pennsylvania, in the class Of 1856, and
subsequently one of its trustees. He
became an attorney of the highest rank
the leading counsel for Dr. BENJAMIN
Rush in 1899, in his suit against VIII
/ liam Corbett and the defender of Sen
ator Samuel Chase when he was i'm
peached by the United States SEN
ate. In 1914 he was elected to con
gress as a federalist and served one
term. President John Quincy Adams
appointed him United States Judge for
the eastern district of Pennsylvania,
an office which he held for ia years, or
until his death. Sos ~~t-
! The criticism of ''HaiI Columbia" and
kindred songs is that they lack literary
merit; that as poems they would not
T obtain currency and permanency fol-
their tunes. That they are not of high
rank as literary productions is con
fessed That they owe much of their
\ popularity to their tunes is acknowl-
fedged. But if they were more literary
and less emotional they would never
~ RCRAAGA" IiiG very ldCl lIldk I0DN
stimulate national sentiment and pride
touch the memory, imagination ano
heart Of the people is the explanation OF
their naturalization and perpetuity.
/ II, however, the object of Hopkinsor
was to Great an American spirit, and
his object was realized, there is q
greater need and a more potential re-
suit now. For the spirit needed is that
of universal brotherhood. Patriotism is
not the ultimate, the superlative virtue
1t is the positive degree. Cosmopoli-
tanism is another name for Chris
tianity, and when its full fruition APP
pears and is disseminated, wars and
rumors of wars will cease, and Column
bia will be happier land than in 1896
or 1898. The international song is a
potentiality for the mute or the unborn
Millions.
WANTS OF CONSTITUENTS.