The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-09-22

cover of their guns and carry the
breastworks by assault. Just before
daylight the firing ceased. Key,
pacing the deck OF the Minden,
where he had remained throughout
the whole long night, was tormentcd
with uncertainty and with fear lest
the gallant fort had been carried and
Baltimore was at the mercy OF the
devastating foe. He had seen the
destruction of Washington; he knew
the merciless character OF the enemy
and his mind pictured such scenes il
Baltimore as he had witnessed IN
Washington. 1t might mean more
than the destruction OF Baltimore.
the subjugation of America, and the
loss of that liberty that had cost the
lives of so many parrots.
"Can you not picture that scene?
Do you not see that sympathetic,
sensitive, patriotic man, standing in
the black silence of that night, Suf-
fering the tortures that none can
suffer but a patriot, walking the in
terminable time for the light of day
to end his agonizing suspense.
Gradually the dawn came. He
could see the fort, but there was not
sufficient light to see the flag, and his
heart sank and his imagination cal
led up the horrors he had suffered
during the long night. Then the
bright light Of day swept across the
horizon and he saw on the ramparts
OF the fort, still waving defiantly.
the beloved flag of his country. In
that moment the inspiration came.
and without premeditation he dashed
down on the back Of an old envelope
With a lead pencil the Star Spangled
Banner. the national anthem OF
America.
Francis Scott Key by birth, envir-
Onment, education, and nature was
the ideal instrument to receive the
inspiration and give voice to ii on be-
half of Il nation Born in your beauti-
full county Of Frederick; reared by
refined and patriotic parents amid
scenes and associations that fostered
the highest development Of body.
mind, and soul; educated at ST.
Johns Collegr, Annapolis, the seat
of learing. culture, and nationalism:
preeminent at the Nations bar; hold
ing the intimate confience Of the
President of the United States, and
associated with the administration
in the development OF the ideals and
policies OF our Government. he
seemed prepared by Providence for
his task. OF strong intellect, mature
education. and literary training.
possessed of a burning patriotism
end n sympathetic, sentitive nature,
as he stood on the deck of his prison
ship, surrounded by n foreign foe.
on that fateful night 100 years ago,
racked with uncertainty, oppressed
with awful fear that the liberty and
happiness his people had so dearly
won was about TO be destroyed, .he
glorious sight OF the Star-Spangled
Banner waving victoriously i'm the
morning light opened his soul and
Quickened his mind to receive and
give expression 20 the patriotic
thoughts of a nation
But let me give you a description
of the events and emotions that inn
PEELED the writing of our national
anthem in the eloquent words of ;ha.
great author. 1t is like voice from
yonder tomb. 1t reminds us that,
though his body is dead, he shall live
on forever in the hearts and memory
of his fellow COuntrymen. At a ban
Quet held in this very city and in
sight of his last resting place he de-
scribcd the writing of the Star
Spangled Banner in the following
Incompatible language:
"'YOu have recalled to my recol-
lection the circumstances under
which | was impclled to this effort.
| had seen the flag OF my country
waving over a city, the strength and
pride Of my native state. a city de-
voted TO plundcr and dcsolation by
its asSailants. | witnessed the prep
aration for its assault and saw the
array of its enemies as they advanc-
H. II.
of battle The noise of the conflict
fell upon my listening ear and told
me that the brave" and "the lree"
had met the invaders Then did
remember that they were the sons OF
sirCs who had left their crimson foot
prints on the SHOWS OF the North
and poured out the blood Of their
patriots like water on the sands Of
the South. Then did | remember
that there were gathered around
that banner among its defenders men
who had heard and answered the
call of their country. from whose
mOuutainsidcs. from this beautiful
valley and this fair city of my native
country, and though | walked on a
deck surrounded by a hostile fleet.
detained as "A prisoner. yet was nv
step firm and my heart strong az
those rccOlleCtiOns came upon me.
Through the clouds of war the stars
of that banner still shone in view.
and | saw the discounted hosts OF its
assailants driven back i'm ignominy to
their ships. Then in that hour OF
delivcrance and joyful triumph the
heart spoke, and Goes not such a
country and such defenders OF their
country deserve song?" was its
question. With it came an inspira-
tipu NOT In ha rneista1 ;t