The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-04-02

also the oldest shot tower in the United
States, and is still standing.
! But to return to the war of 1872.
You are no doubt familiar with the
story of how the priYateers from Balti-
more secured the ocean, harassed
| British commerce, and took thousands
of prizes of war. You will also rem
ember the history of the defeat of the
American troops at Bladensburg, the
capture of the city of Washington and
the burning of the public buildings.
1t was only natural that the British
troops, flushed with victory, should
, consider this the proper time to be re-
venged on Baltimore, and that Gen
eral Ross should boast that he would
make it his winter quarters. | am
sure every Marylander is familiar
with the history of this attack on
! Baltimore. General Ross with a force
of about 1000 men was defeated at
North Point by little band Of raw
militiamen and General Ross7 himself
was killed
The attack on Fort McHenry, which
was made at the same time that Ross
fought his battle on land was renewed
with vigor after his defeat as if in hope
less vengence. You all know the re-
suit of this bombardment of the fort,
in the dawn's early light, the flag was
still there"
There is one thing in which Balti-
more stands not only first, but alone
and that is giving to the United States
its national athem, THE Star Span
gled Banner" Can you imagine the
emotions of Francis Scott Key as he
paced the deck of the "Minden" on
that memorable night of Sept 18th, as
the bombardment continued, and he
knew not at what moment his beloved
city would be forced to surrender.
The fall of Baltimore would mean
that Philadelphia, New York, Boston
and in fact all the Atlantic coast towns
might meet similar fate. Some of
the people of the New England states
already contemplated withdrawing from
the union. The whole government was
lettering on the brink of exhaustion: dis
couraged, disorganized and disheartened
Can't you get conception of what the
capture of Baltimore meant to the new
Republic? Have you ever pictured to
yourself this man on the enemy's ship
during the twenty-five hours of the
bitter attack.
The rockets red glare, bombs bursting
in air,
Gave proof through the night, that our
flag was still there.
AS long as the flag was still there,
the city had not surrendered. Can you
imagine his feelings when the first red
rays of the rising sun showed the ma
jestic folds of the stars and strips float
ing over Fort McHenry. It was then
that KEYS emotion burst forth in an
anthem of JOY, and he wrote down on
the back of letter the TIE Deum of the
nation, The Star Spangled Banner.
This anthem became the inspiration of
a great nation, and the glory of the
people of Baltimore became the glory
Of the nation, infusing them with new
patriotism and new vigor.
In Baltimore, peace hath had her
victories no less renowned than war.
She has furnished other writer's that
have achieved international fame. Is
there a school child that has not heard
of the matchless Edgar Allen Poe, who
is rated as the most original writer that
America has produced? Is there one
of US who has not sympathized with
him in his early struggles, his mis-
fortunes, and his untirnely death. The
whole English speaking world is
familiar with 1.-THE Raven. - ''Annabel
Lee" and the "Bells" and these poems
are still famous. His Gold Bug" and
The Purloined Letter" are unsurpas-
sed as gems of prose construction.
Baltimore has furnished many writer's
of note up to the present time. 1t is
the home of one of the foremost
religious writers of the day, Cardinal
Gibbons. His classic, The Faith of
Our Fathers has reached a circula-
ton OF $50, 600 copies.
Baltimore has given so much to the
literature of the country that it would
take too much time to give the names
of the authors and their productions.
| feel, however, that | should mention
one lyric that was written here in Oak
land, Sep. Is, 1862. while the battle of
Antietam was in progress, by John
Williamson Palmer. 1t is called "Stone-
wall jackson 5 Way" and is probably
known to some of you. will give the
first stanZa:
come, stack arms, men.
Pile on the rails.
stir up the camp fire bright;
No growing if'the canteen fails,
Wen make a roaring night.
Here Shenandoah bTawls along,
There burly Blue Ridge echoes strong,