The sun., 1914-09-13
"rhc star SpanQled Banner.

II was one hundred years ago, Sep
tember -. 1914. that FRANCIS SCoTT
KEY watched the British attack Fort
Mclienry AT Baltimore. and during
the rackng hours OF the bombardment
found the inspiration for The star
Spangled Banner" poem that is to-
day the American national anthem. de-
spite numerous attempts to dlsplace 1t.
Ii records an actual experience. and
describes the anxiety OF its author for
the success of his country's defenders.
To-day throughout the nation the ami
versary of his trying ordeal is being
celebrated
Yet the flags that are hoisted this
morning differ In two material details
from the banner which floated over
Fort Mcllenry. That bunting consisted
of fifteen stripes and fifteen stars hav-
ing been made in conformity with the
act of Congress approved by Presi-
dent WASHINGTON on January IL. 1904.
The flag previous to this date had been
fabricated with thirteen stripes and
thirteen stars. in accordance with the
resolution Of Congress adopted June II.
1777. The admission as States of Yer
mont in 1871 and Kentucky in 1892
gave rise to the project for altering
the flag. and the resolution of IDA,
which became effective on May I. 1795,
adding stripe and star for each
State. was the result of the debate that
ensued The fifteen stripes and fifteen
stars were adhered 10 for twenty-three
years. Under It we fought against
France 119S-ISOO: against Tripoll.
ls01-1S05, and against Great Britain,
that circumnavigatiou of the globe
which gave her the proud title OF first
to carry the national ensign around
the world.
The hopes and fears that KEY EN-
bodied IN his poem came upon him
through his Intervention in behalf OF
his friend Dr. WILLIAM BEANEs, who
had been captured and was held pris-
oner on British ship. KEY applied
70 President MADISON for permi
President ordered the Minden to take
him and JoHN $! SKINNER the Govern
ment agent for the exchange of prison
ers, 10 help in arranging the matter.
General Ross. the British commander,
agreed To liberate BEANEs. hut decided
to hold the Americans until after tAe
attack on Fort MclIenry. then about TO
begin. KEY and SKINNER dincd aboard
Admiral CoCHRANE'S ship, the Royal
Oak. and were transferred from her TO
the frlgate Surprise. From the Sur
prise they were taken, with BEANEs. to
the Mindcn under guard of British
soldiers and marines.
From the deck OF the Minden KEY
and his friends could see the flag OF
Fort McIIenry. The attack came to
IN end in the night. The Stars and
Stripes were Illuminated by the glare
of the rockets and the light of burst
ing bombs while the engagement con-
tnued, but when firing ceased the de-
knowing whether the assault had been
repulsed or had been successful The
poem faithfully rectes the doubts and
incertitude OF the alarmed Americans
The actual writing of the poem began
on the deck of the Mlnden and was
completed as soon as KEY got ashore.
To "The star Spangled Banner" as
national anthem it Is objected that II
celebrates only one incident OF one en-
gagement of one war; that 1t conse-
quently lacks national application and
that it is difficult to sing. In spite OF
these obvious drawbacks II has at
t0lncd the supreme dignity among ma
tlonal songs and that official recognl-
ton which confirms the popular de-
cision. II has endured hundred
years, though frequently efforts have
been made to find a substitute for IT,
lad to-day II is sung by 10oo00,00O
Americans 10 the thirteen stripes and
forty-plght stars with a devotion and
affection not exceeded by that OF its
author.