The Washington herald., 1908-02-23

the francis Scott Key Memorial Asso-
.clation.
A more appropriate day than the ami
versary Of Ahe birth of the Father of
His Country" to commemorate the mem
ory Of the author OF that martial hymn.
The StaT-Spangled Banner" which
thrills every American with patriotism.
could not have been selected.
Relic AdOrns building.
That old worn piece Of bunting. torn
from the Stars and Stripes which floated
over Fort McHenry when Francis Scott
Key wrote The -Spangled Banner
and which inspired him TO write the ia
nous anthem. presented 10 the associa-
tlon by an American woman, viii adorn
the walls of the home that sheltered the
great patriot
Mrs. Josephine Aiickle, wife Of the late
Commander RIckle. L. S. n. presented
the relic. It was given her by her father
in-law.
The exercises We're opened at Il O'Clock
with a prayer by the Rev. Frederick b
Howden A double quartet sang Lord.
With Glowing Heart I Praise Thee
hymn written by KY. Commissioner
Henry B. z. Macfarland. president Of the
association. presided and made a short
address.
He said, in part:
Nr. HIacfarIand's speech.
I'VE open new opportunity for the
expression Of patriotism in opening this
memorial house to-day. This was the
home OF Francis Scott Key when he
wFote tie national anthem.
That immortal song during the. cen
tury that has passed. he's been carried
al over the country and all over the
world. At every army post on every
naval ship. The Star Spangled Banner
Is played for the cclors and literally its
music now encircles the globe That
mighty feet. greatest ever sent around
the world proudly bears the stars and
Stripes and The Star Spangled Banner
through ocean after ocean from nation
70 nation, a messenger of peace. a de-
Tender Of right minister OF justice.
1t is well that or the birthday of
George Washington. without whom there
would have been no American flag and
In the portion Of the National Capital iH
which ne was most at home. we should
begin 10 properly honor the memory of
Francis Scott Key. Every patriotic
american viii want TO join in this un-
dertaking
Gratitude of Patriots.
I am sure il VIII succeed. 1t will mark
the gratitude OF the American. people to
the men who made possible our marvel
Gus success and gave Us the gates Of
the future. 1t ought 10 inspirit us OF
Washington in our endeavor TO have
other histo1ic buildings preserved. or. at
least. marked with proper tablets. so that
no intelligent man can walk our streets
without reading the noble history Of the
historic past
The Commissioner have asked and
Congress has granted appropriations for
marking such historic places. That work
viii shortly be begun. 10 the gratifca-
uon of all our patriotic citizens and of
all our visitors
''On this day. filed with splendid and
sacred memories we renew our patriot
ism as We remind ourselves Of the fathers
or the republic and of the generations
or their sons who have been faithful TO
their country and loyal 10 the faith Of
their fathers"
Admiral SchIey Foremost.
Commissioner Macfarland introduced
~AfAaAAt tA ~ l-Al4Aln CAuAL DLll-IL- SGtULQ
vice president Of the association.
Admiral Schley said
we are assembled together on this
natal day OF our first and greatest Presi- /
dent, in the home once occupied BY Fran
els Scott Key. the author OF our national
authem. The Star-Spangled Banner 10
90 honor TO his name and memory.
1t has been said by great author.
Give me the writing of the songs of
people. 1 care not who makes their laws I
The fun meaning Of this trite quotation
IS in no sense TO be construed as discour-
teous 20 the lawmaker. but rather 10 be
understood as impressing the fact that |
those who touch the human heart through |
the sublime cadence Of poetic song. as
Francis Scott Key has done, are sure TO |
live in the grateful affection Of the later |
generations Of their coUntryman.
Patriotism Reaches sympathfcH.
The grim circumstance Of war. amidst |
which this anthem was penned by its 4
captive author, gave it a pathos Of sub
lime devotion that has deeply touched the 1
innermost sympathy of his countrymen. 1
Its arrangement in harmonious melody 1
has given It the wings Of song. which /
have carried it 10 the nethermost corners /
OF the world where liberty is loved and I
sacrifices for it are made
who in our midst has not AT some |
time or in some place felt his soul stirred |
to its fullest depths by some song or some
hymn he used to hear in his>childhood |
days. as their familiar melodies bring /
back in review the memories of days long
gone by?
Songs that stir the Heart.
Who, anywhere, Is, not moved to-day
at the sweet strains Of Home Sweet
Home. or Backward. Turn Backward.
Oh. Time in Your Flight. or the Lost
Chord or the Old Folks at Home or NV
Old Kentucky Home or Kathleen Ma
vourneen,' or Long Long Be Ny Hear,
with Such Memories Filled or The
Star-Spangled Banner oh. long may il
wave. over the land Of the free and the
home Of the brave or Maryland. NV
1Iarylandg
1t is not difficult to believe that the
Inspirations Of these songs were the ont
come of beautiful surroundings. or The
remembrance Of luxurious rest. or the
idyllsc peace Of perfect days. when allJ
nature seemed hushed in the indolent
ease Of mellow happiness
These songs are sung wherever >eur
language is known and spoken, while the
strains OF The Star-Spanglcd Banner are
heard at all patriotic gatherings. AT every
military post, on board every war vessel
of our country the word around. at morn
ing colors. when the flag is hoisted for
the day
A Pre-eminent Honor.
There could be no honor Of 1i,te.