Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-04-27
NATIONAL HYMN s.
A Government May Propose, But the
People Adopt or Reject.

People Adopt or Reject.
Secretary Bonaparte did we'll not "to
commit himself to the project Of Of
fering a prize for a new national air
to be selected by a council of musicians
from all parts Of the country"
He was wise to withhold even his
Endorsement of the project Of adver-
tising for a national air, and perhaps OF
offering souvenirs as an lnducement to
competitors.
The Star Spangled Banner which
it Is proposed to supersede, was COM
posed by a native of Secretary Bona
parties home state, Maryland. Soon af-
ter measure was seriously discussed
making it mandatory upon school au-
thorities in New York to insist thai
all the words of the Star Spangled
Banner (all the verses without cur
tailment) should be sung by the school
children, with whom the Star Span
gled Banner" Is a favorite, made IA
miliar by frequent repetition.
National hymns, however are not
made popular by legislation, and songs
responsive to the aspirations Of peo-
pie are not to be secured by advertise
ment A government proposes; the
people adopt or reject a song or an
them, and make it a national air.
Under despotic governments only, If
ever, are such official selections ac-
cepted. God Protect the Car" Is the
national Russian, or rather the Russian
government hymn; Hayden's Hymn
to the Kaiser has similar, but nc
greater vogue in Austria.
"Das Deutche Vaterland' Is official
ly the recognized German air; "Die
Wacht am Rhein" is the popular one,
For many years in France "Partant
Pour la Syrie' was the national air;
La Marseillaise" has been the peoples
favorite since it was first sung over a
century ago at the beginning of the
French revolution. In Italy Garibaldfs
hymn Is the popular, but not the OFF,
cial, national air. In American crowds
or American audiences the stately mu-
sic Of Hail Columbia" never causes
the moving feet or the singing accom-
panlment of Dixie"
Popular preference determines, for
NAL legislation as popular Of any song
or anthem. Even in England, where
the conventions Of army and official
life are tenaciously observed, Rule
Britannia" the music Of which was
composed by Arne, has been generally
replaced by God Save the King a
composition of disputed authorship
The Wearing of the Green" in Ire
land, owed its popularity to no official
recognition; indeed, for considerable
period 1t was legally interdicted In
some Irish counties as an appeal to re-
volt and an Indictment to disorder. A
wiser and more tolerant view of its ef-
fective appeal to Irish emotions has
been adopted since the Boer war.
The Star Spanged Banner Is prob
ably secure In patriotic American favor
If no more serious assault upon its
popularity can be devised or suggested
than an advertisement by the govern
ment authorities for O substitute, the
selection of which could be determin-
ed upon "by a council Of musicians
from all parts Of the country Nation
al airs are not sung by the people of
a country because a congress, a par
lament or a national assembly so or
dains or recommends. Musical coun-
ellis cannot regulate public taste or
preference in such a matter, and Sec
retary Bonaparte was discreet in refus-
ing to commit himself to the further
ance Of any plan to do away with the
Star Spangled Banner as the recog-
nized national air for most Americans.
New York Sun.