The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-09-29
NATIONAL ANTHEM
DAY IS OBSERVED
Of the Star-Spangied
Banner" Causes Nationwide
Celebration,

In many cities all over the country
last Saturday. the 1o4th anniversary
of the writing of THE star Spangled
Banner" was celebrated as national
anthem day" One of the most in
spring demonstrations of patriotism
parts of the city thousands of men
and women Assem- led In public parks
and held patriotic ceremonies. In
which the singing OF Francis Scott
Keys poem over and over again TO
the accompaniment of bands formed
the principal event Not only were
the people brought together to hear
patriotic speeches and sing The Star
Spang1ed Banner" but they were as
sembled to learn the anthem by heart
in all Ave verses, including tho one
added to the original four after the
Civil War by Oliver Wendell Holmes
The most impressive rehearsal"
took place in front Of the city hall
under the auspices of the mayors
committee on national defense. where
more than 5000 men and women
sang the anthem, Even the pauses
between stanzas were made eloquent
by the shouts of newrhoys announc-
ing the victories of the American
troop. on the west front
Authors Grandson Gives History.
Justice r. X. Pendleton. grandson
OF the author OF the national anthem.
told OF it's history and its spiritual
relation to the past.
AT perhaps the darkest crisis in
the country's history" he said, when
the young republic, scarcely out of
its swaddling clothes, found itself en-
gagged in mighty conflict with one
of the greatest powers OF the earth.
its capital burned. its armies in re-
treat. a mighty fleet approaching one
of its largest seaports. Mr.. Key was
sent by President Madison under a
flag OF truce to treat for the surrend-
err OF certain prisoners held on board
completed only as the feet pre- pared
to open its night attack on Fort Nc
Henry at the entrance to the harbor
of Baltimore.
He was compelled to remain until
the next day. and was thus an un~
willing witness within the enemy lines
of that attack, His apprehension for
the outcome, his anxieties to know
the result. his JOY at the enemy's de-
feat, the outhurst OF triumph with
final victory We're all typical of the
feelings OF the whole people as they
awaited in painful fear and apprehen-
sion for news of the result OF the con-
f,ict, And as he voiced his relief
from fear and anxiety In a paen Of
.exultation he voiced at tho same time
the anxieties and Civilizations OF the
whole people, and when in the fine
frenzy ef patriotic prophecy he ex-
claimed.
80. thus be II ever. when freemen
shall stand
between their loved homes and the
wars desoiation
Elest with victory and peace, may the
heaven rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and
preserved us nation.
Then conquer we must. for our cause
it is just,
And this be our motto. In God is our
trust -
And the Star -Spangled Banner in tri-
uraph shall wave
Der the land OF the free and the
home OF the brave
II found its responsive echo in the
confidence and belief OF the nation
and as such became the nations proud
challenge to the world and humanity.
and fixed it forever as the nations
song"
At the conclusion of Judge Pen
dIetons speech. Miss Anna FItziu
Gang The Star -Spangled Banner" &C
.companied by the naval hand