The bee., 1914-02-27


civilization the mighty force of popular songs
and ballads representing thoughts and emo
tons that have prevailed from time to time and
assisted in shaping the course of events. Human
nature seems to demand a musical outlet of
patriotic and religious feeling. And all coun-
tries have their favorte and characteristic songs,
corresponding to the temperament and tendencies
Of their respective peoples. There has never
been country on earth poor that it did not
have at least simple ballad dear to the COM
mon heart and serving as source Of inspiration
in the time Of peril" The importance of popu-
lar melodies is shown in the history of almost
every country on the globe in effecting great
changes in national life. Such songs were born
in the greatest moments of the singers and the
times.
THE Star-Spangled Banner" the national
song dearest to the American heart, born in the
fierce passions of war, has possibly the frmest
hold the American people.
When the war between England and France
was renewed in 1908, there came return of
trouble to the United States. Shortly after the
war with France began, England claimed the
right to search American vessels for deserters
from the English navy Thousands of Americans
were seized and forced to fight for England; and
to avenge these outrages, the United States de-
clared war in 1872. 1t is another curious fact
of history that the excellent frigaes built during
the exciting period which called forth Hail Co.
lumbia" when the party in power was thought
by the opposition to be too friendly toward Great
Britain, the nucleus of the gallant navy
that by and by should win such triumphs
England in the stormy times that produced "The
Star Spangled Banner" In the summer of 1914
the which was waging between the United
States and Great Britain seemed to almost
entirely in favor of the latter nation; Washing
ton had been captured and burned the shores
of Chesapeake Bay were ravaged by the British
feet under Admiral Cockburn, Baltimore itself
threatened with speedy capture. At just
this uncture, DR.. William Beanes, old resi-
dent and leading physician of Upper Marlbor-
ough, Maryland, was captured by General Ross
British army, and held a prisoner Admiral
Cockburns flagship, the Surprise" The doctor
was personal friend of Francis Scott Key, then
a young lawyer living at Baltimore, who deter
mined to procure DR. Beanes' release if possible,
after obtaining proper credentials from Presi-
dent Madison and proofs that DR.. Beanes
a non-combatant On September g. 1914, Key
set out on his dangerous mission. Cockburn
had transferred DR.. Beanes to the custody of
Vice Admiral Cochrane, to whom Key now wend-
ed his way He could not have come at more
nopportune moment, for Cockburn had planned
combined attack by sea and land upon Fort
McHenry, the key to Baltimore at about the
time that the American envoy arrived Vice
Admiral Cochrane consented to the release of
Dr. Beanes, and treated Key and his party with
considerable courtesy, but refused to allow them
to return just then. it stipulated that all
of the American party should remain the
Surprise" until the fort was reduced they
feared the American party, who must have seen