The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-08-01

benefit being announced for the follow
ing Monday He said he had no boxes
taken, and the prospect was that he
should suffer a loss instead of receiving
a benefit from the performance, but thai
if he could get a patriotic song adapted
to the tune of the Presidents March,
he did not doubt of n full house-that
the poets of the theatrical corps had
! been trying to accomplish it, but were
satisfied that no words could be COM
posed to suit the music Of the march
HOpkinsOn told him he would try and
see what he could do. He came the next
afternoon, and the song, such as it is
was ready for him. 1t was announced
on Monday morning, and the theatre
was crowded to excess, and so continued
night after night for the rest of the sea-
son. the song being encUTed and repeat
ed many times each night, the audience
joining i'm the chorus. It was also sung
at night in the streets by large assem-
blies of citizens, including members OF
congress.
The enthusiasm was general and the
song was heard shortly in every part of
the United States. The object of the
author was to get up an American
spirit, which should be Independent OF
and above the interests, passions and
policy of both belligerents, and look and
feel exclusively for our honor and OUT
rights. Not an allusion is made either
to France or England. or to the quarrel
between them, or to which was the most
in fault in their treatment of us OF
course, the song found favor with both
parties, at least neither could disavOw
the sentiments it inculcated. Ii was
truly American, and nothing else-and
the patriotic feelings of every American
heart responded to it.
Such is the history Of this song
which has endured infinitely beyond the
expectation of the author. and beyond
any merit il can boast of, except that
Of being truly and exclusively patriotic
in its sentiments and spirits.
THE Presidents March" was first
played at Trenton, when Washington
was on his way TO New York to be in
augurated president. Mr.. Motley. I'm his
brilliant history Of William the Silent.
tells Us that little dog saved the Dutch
republic. and il can be said that the
song, Hail, Columbia" more than any
other agency. melted national pride. al
layed party passion and averted a seri-
Gus ENHANCEMENT in the European con-
fict.
The song was first sung by Fox On
April %, 1884, and two DAYS later
Baches' Aurora" denounced it as the
most ridiculous bOmbast and the vilest
adulation to the AngIo-monarchical
party and the two presidents" and on
the 9Th of May announced that Joseph
HoDkinsOn. the author Of the late fed
eral song TO the tune Of The Presidents
March had been nominated by the
president a commissioner to transact
some business with the Indians" and
added. He has written his song to some
tune, that's Cleari"
Joseph HODlinson was a grandson of
the eminent Philadelphia lawyer. Thorn
IS Hopkinson, and a son of Francis
FopSinsCu. one Of the signers of the
Declaration Of independence. He was
born in Philadelphia. Nov. y. 1870. and
died I'm the same city on Jan. Is. 1872
He was a graduate of the University Of
Pennsylvania in 1856 and was after
ward trustee Of that institution. He
began the practice Of law I'm Eaeton
Pa. in 1871. and later returned to PhfIa-
delDhia. He was a FeIeraHst politically.
and was elected in 1914 q representative
in congress from PHILADELPHIA. serving
one term and approving the recharter-
ing Of the United states bank In 1892
he resumed the practice of law and in
lN2o was appointed by the president
John Quincy Adams. United States
Judge for the eastern district Of Penn
svlvania which Office he held until his
death. He was long a confidential friend
Of JOSenh BOnaparte. who then resided
1T Bordertown. \. J.. and managed
eonaparte's affairs during his absence.