Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-04
VOICES PROTEST AGAINST
KEY MEMORIAL DESIGN
Grandson of Author of Star Span-
gled BANNER" Claims It Is
inappropriate
Appeals to Society of Old Defen c.s
of War of 1912 to Prevent
Erection of Monument.

Protesting against the decision of
the juryof awards. intrusted by Con-
Sress with the selection of a model
for the $4,000 monument TO the mem
DRY of Francis Scott Key, author of
the Star Spangled Banner" and claim
ing that the accepted design is a mis-
conception OF the spirit and intention
OF Congress, John Ross Key, grandson
of the dead author has written to the
Society of the Old Defenders of the
War of 1912, urging that organiza-
ton to prevent the erection of the
monument decided upon.
Mr.. Key writes:
Congress recently appropriated s75.-
600 for the erection of a monument to
the memory of Francis Scott Key.
author of the Star Spangled Banner
and the soldiers and sailors who parti-
cipated in the battle OF North Point
and the attack on Fort McHenry.
An exhibit of thirty-four models Of
design for this monument is on
exhibition at the National Museum OF
Washington, ID. c. The awards have
been made. 1t is plainly apparent that
the jury of awards did not comprehend
the serious duty imposed upon it, for
ii approached the task without rever-
ence and without vision.
Design "a Misconceptions"
The accepted design is a miscon-
ception of the spirit and intention of
Congress. for it is void of the patriotic
feeling which this monument should ex-
press and perpetuate.
The main feature of the design Is
a huge, nude, muscular figure, such
as would adequately portray the dignity
and power of labor, suitable Tor an
| industrial exposition, but in no way
| does it represent the spirit of poetry
or song. though the sculptor has placed
Tyre in the hands made to Weld a
shovel.
The law distinctly demands recog-
milton for the soldiers and sailors, nut
except for the Insignificant embiems
placed on two small pediments, these
| arms of the service are treated so IN
differently as to be without any APP
| probation of the heroic service TINS
monument is supposed to commemorate
Without that service Francis Scott Key
would never have known the emotion
| that inspired him to write the words
of the star Spangled Banner, whIch.
for more than a hundred years. mas
been the national anthem. moving mil
lions to patriotic duty.
"The law which created this monu-
ment has been plainly evaded; unln-
teutionaNy it may be. but nevertheless
evaded. The design fails in the pur-
pose and intention of the law which
created it, The lofty spirit which
should have inspired the sculptor Is
sadly missing, and instead we have the
egotism of the artist expressed In the
principle of art for arts sake, crafts
mans work without emotion we
should have a noble structure COM
memorating the glorious achievements
| of our ancestors, calculated to 1mpue 2
| love of country in generations or men
whose fathers are yet unborn.
Feels It a Duty to Protest.
'1 feel 1t duty incumbent upon ma
as an artist, and as the only living
grandson who knew and remembers the
| author of The Star Spangled Banner.
to protest against the erection of this
| monument in it's present form.
Il call upon you, the members of the
| Society of the Old Defenders. You have
a charge to keep. You owe debt to
| the heroes of the past who laid the
| foundation for our country's prosper
| ity and happiness. l beseech you to
| take action without delay and assist in
! preventing the erection of this .miscon-
| ception of the intent of Congress.
| implore you to appoint committee to
come to Washington and view these
| models. and take into consideration the
| legal and artistic aspect of this situa-
| ton and avert this grave error.
Il trust you will approve the action
not forget that the author of The Star
| Spangled Banner was a distinguished
| member of the Maryland bar and call
upon the present-day association to
| join with us