The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-09-12
from the National Capitol
"Old Glory" and Some Of the Kegu.
By. Stanton Lswtea

OONtH2SAXNXNXNNANHO
aold GLORY" and Some 81 the FsEa
lations Which Govern Its Use.
With the approach of the celebra
ton of the "star Spangled Banner,
there comes to mind many historic
events in which the American flag
figured conspicuously, among them
the bombardment of Fort McHenry
in Baltimore harbor, Sept. 10 and
IA. 1914, which inspired Francis
Scott Key to write the national all
of "the land of the free and the home
Of the brave"
For some time it has been sup
posed that this poem was first pub
lished in the Baltimore American of
Sept. 81, 1914, but copy Of the
Baltimore Patriot and Evening Ad-
vertiser, which recently came to light
in the Library of Congress. seems to
prove that the first press reproduc-
ton appeared in the issue of this
paper September 20. 1914.
By way of editorial comment. the
far-sighted editors aptly state: 1.-THE
following beautiful and animating
effusion, which is destined long to
outlast the occasion and outlive the
impulse which produced it, has al
ready been extensively circulated. In
our first renewal of publication we
rejoice in an opportunity to enliven
sketch of an exploit so illustrious,
with strains which so fifty celebrate
It,"
It seems that Sept. 10. 1914.
Francis Scott Key left Baltimore on
the ship Minden, under flag of
truce, with John S. Skinner. for the
purpose of securing the release of his
friend, DR.. William Beanes, who had
been captured at Marlboro and was
being held a prisoner on vessel of
the British fleet.
Having passed safely down the
bay to the mouth of the Potomac
River, they met the fleet preparing
to attack Baltimore, and although
Admiral Cockburn released DR..
Beanes. they were I'll tn, ee detained
and prevented from returning to
Baltimore, since it was feared that
they would convey information con-
corning the impending attack. They
were brought up the bay as far as
the Patapsco River where the Min
den was kept under the guns of
British frigate, and the three friends
were compelled to witness the bonn
bardment of Fort McHenry. which
the British admiral boosted he would
carry in few hours, to result in the
ultimate fall of the city.
When in the early light of the
following day he beheld "Old Glory"
still Haunting defiance to the British
from the ramparts of the fort, he was
inspired to write the verses of the
nations anthem, which so appropri-
ately expressed his fears during the
night and his Joy and pride in the
morning. All three men were re-
leased after the failure of the British
to capture the fort and the city. and
with the aid of Judge Joseph H.
Nicholson of Baltimore and Captain
Benjamin Fades, the song was hur-
riedly printed and circulated
throughout the city, to be sung to
the air of "Anacreom in Heaven"
Unquestionably this was the first
application of the words, "The Star
Spangled Banner" to the flag, and it
is also supposed that the origin of
the motto. "1n God We Trust" on
the coins, came fro mthe line of
Keys poem, "In God Is Our Trust. I"
The great historic banner meas
ures 81 feet 6 inches by 80 feet 10
inches, and is much faded and torn.
Its fifteen stripes and stars are still
to be seen and mark it as distinctive
in this respect. It Is one of the very
few Of the national flags having fif-
teen bars as we'll as fifteen stars. be-
ing issued at time just preceding
the standardization of the number OF
stripes as thirteen with the addition
of star in the case of each new
state.
This flag has been on exhibition
in the older National Museum build.
ing at Washington, where it was de-
posted in 1907 as loan by its own.
or, Eben Appleton Of New York
grandson of Colonel Geo. Armistead
the heroic officer in charge of For
McHenry during this battle. but II
1912 it was officially presented tt
the government and left in the mu
scum. where it may still be seen.
The regulations In force in oul
army provide that the flag of ever!
post shall be raised at reveille eacl
morning and lowered each evening a
sunset, while the soldiers stan,
at salute and the band plays 9TH
IL &C.. NSto An~ 4