The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1914-03-17
THE NATIONAL. ca AIR.
TT WAS THE intention of those who
criticised Mrs. Fuller's article rec

lit WAS THE intention of those wh1
| criticised Mrs. Fuller's article rec
= emily through the columns of this
paper, to drop the discussion and not
Eanswer her last statement for the rea-
son that her argument is based on
personal opinion and not on facts
Nothing is gained by this sort Of
reasoning. However, as many citi-
zens have requested that something
be mentioned to correct the erroneous
character of her last statement, have
assumed the responsibility to do this,
and shall quote only facts as given
by the United States government and
other authentic authority, together
with a few of the writer's experien-
ces which tend to refute the claim
that the people of this country are
guided by any settled cusom regard
ling the designation of one patriotic
song as the nations national anthem.
| Mrs. Fuller bases her argument
principally on Webster's definition of
national anthem, which is given as:
"The most popular patriotic song of
any nation" Which one of our sew
eral patriotic songs is the most pop
ular? Is it America, Dixie, Hail
Columbia, The Battle Hymn of the
Republic, Columbia the Gem of the
Ocean, or The Star Spangled Ban
ner?" This proves nothing and only
invites an endless argument that leads
nowhere
The fact that the enlisted men of
the United States navy and army are
relieved of all doubt by the designa-
ton of regulations of the proper at
titude toward the Star Spangled Ban
ner as the "official air" certainly does
not prove that it has been selected
by the people of the nation as the
national anthem. The New Interna-
tional Encyclopedia holds that several
of our patriotic songs are regarded
as national airs, but that congress
never acted officially ON any of them.
Another instance of the absurdity
of our having no established rule in
regard to this matter, was furnished
at a celebration which took place at
the writers home, Cleveland, Ohio.
The event was the dedication of the
opening of the great subteranean tun-
mel under Lake Erie, which was large
ly of an official and patriotic charac-
ter. On the part of those present
there was clearly disposition to
"stand up" to almost any American
air. When Hail Columbia and Dixie
were played few stood up, and then
more arose, until finally almost every
one was standing. But then, unfor-
tunately when the medley led off in
to other airs, not necessarily Amer
lean, the willing audience did not
know whether to continue standing or
what to do.
Nothing is more distressing. TO the
average American after witnessing
the respect with the playing of "God
Save the King and "Die Yacht am
Rhein" is received, that to hear one
or more "so-called" American national
airs played in medley with the music
of other nations.
Mrs. Fuller claims that the Star
Spangled Banner is signal for bare
heads whenever played before loya
Americans all around the globe. Trav-
cling Americans or Americans who
have travelled, know better than this
fer it has been evidenced time and
time again that Americans were in
doubt when this air was played by
bands in foreign countries. However,
whenever native Englishman OF
German hears his national air in this
land, he knows without any doubt
that he is expected to stand
with head uncovered till the air has
been played through.
The writer was present at GER
tain international naval event, where
the United States was represented by
a mammoth fleet of sea fighters. Here
occurred an incident that will serve
well to remind Americans of what
beautiful ceremony it would be if we
could rise in perfect unanimity and
do homage to a national air. The for
eign host as mark of respect and
honor to several thousand American
that were present, played
the Star Spangled Banner 1t was
dramatic moment when the strains of
our official air fioated forth on the
breeze The spectators were very
much impressed and astonished when
this entire force of sailors stood up
as one man, with hats in hand, and re-