New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-05
4 TRIOTIC SONGS OF

language, religion and social sympathies the
people wei more closely allied 70 the French
than the Dutch, and under the new regime
they felt themselves unjustly treated in the
unequal distribution Of the national debt. by
the abolition of French as the official
language and other matters, including the
suppression of the fr, edom of the press.
The revolution in Paris, in July. 1880. heated
the spirit of revolt Music kindled the spark
which burst into fame at performance Of
Auber's opera, ia Muette de Portici" in
Brussels on the night of August 25 1880.
La Muette" Cor "Masaniello" as it is com
monty called outside of Franco, tells
story of the Neapolitan revolution Of 1647.
It's scenes of popular revolt excited the feel
ings of the audience 70 fury. The people
poured out of the theatre, sacked the office
Of the government newspaper, broke into
gunshops and took arms. erected barricadas
in the Streets, hauled down the royal in
sigma from the public buildings and hoisted
the banner of ancient Brabant. The news
spread from city 10 city, town 10 town,
village to village and with it went the spirit
Of revolt In Brussels an address calling for
reforms was drafted and sent to the King
William Frederick sought TO temporze. but
the requests grew into demands and finally
nothing but separation from Holland would
-.
Rebels and soldiers fought for three DAYS in
the streets Of Brussels, then reinforcements
came to the revolutionists from Lege and
other places and the soldiery were driven
out Of the city. A provisional government
was formed, national congress summoned,
the basis Of a constitution drawn up and on
January 20. 1881, the independence Of
Belgium was proclaimed. conference Of
European powers in London recognized the
new nation, In whose constitution the mon
archcal form of government was adhered to-
but the House Of Orange forever barred from
the throne. On July q, 1881, Leopold Of
Saxe-Coburg> was crowned King of Belgium.
The King of Holland refused to acquesce,
broke the prevailing armistice and renewed
the war. Then France came TO the aid Of her
neighbor and peace between Holland and
Belgium was concluded on April 10, 1889, at
the dictation of the powers.
Out Of this war for independence grew the
Belgian national hymn, LA Brabanconne."
Early in the struggle Louis Dechez Jenneval
wrote the song which gave voice TO the
spirit of revolt, and Francois van Campenhout
set it to music. The former was militant
patriot like the German Korner, and like him
was killed in battle. He fell at Liere on
September Is, 1881. The latter was popular
tenor singer and an Indifferent composer Of
operas and other pieces, who lived until
1881. LA Brabanconne" was an inspiring
call which invited inspiring music, like that
Of LA Marseilaise." obviously in Camper
hout's mind when he wrote; but Campenhout
was no De Lisle. His music is emotionally
colorless, yet it has survived, while the
original text. which set forth the righteous
demands Of the people, arragned the House
Of Orange and proclaimed liberty in its re-
frain, has given way to words written by
Charles Roger, which celebrate the new
order that took the place of the old. In them
there is no expression of hatred for Holland