Evening journal., 1918-05-01
AMERICA TO HAVE
NATIONAL NATIONAL ABTREEH|||
''Star-Spangled Banner
Named as Official Hymn of
Republic in House
OTHER HYMNS ARE
HELD UNSUITABLE

WASHINGTON. May AFTER nearly
a century and half OF delay the
Unitod States seems about to acquire
a national anthem
"The Star-Spangled Banner would be
adopted as the Officially recognized
hymn Of the public under a resolution
by Representative McFadden. OF Penn
sylvania, now pending in the House.
Little, il any, opposition is expected.
Army and navy regulations long have
designated "The Star-Spangled Banner-
as the official anthem and provide that
officers and men shall stand at atten-
tion while Il is being played or sung,
but the country at large has been left
TO its own tastes in the matter OF Sc
leciing an appropriate hymn for pa
friotic occasions. Thus 1.-THE Star-Span-
gled Banner" has been widely accepted
by the American public as the repre-
sentative hymn Of the nation. and pa
friotic societies for many years have
lbeen agitating for its official adoption.
Every land has a national anthem
kf1entifled inseparably with It's life. The
fsonorous strains Of "The Marselllaise"
breathe the indomitable spirit, the
achievements and the aspirations Of
France. While going down in vessels
England's sons have sung God Save
the King" or ''Rule Britannia" and even
the iron hand Of Germany in Belgium
has been unable TO silence entirely the
smelody OF "Brabanconne" Italians sing
Go~ihoIHffu brrunr rtfnfln fhQ Irfgh nnH
Scotch have a verltable treasure trove
OF stirring war songs.
Attempts TO find a suitable national
air for the United States have not been
few. Hundreds, perhaps thousands. OF
nel0dies have been written In an effort
10 meet the demand. Yet the inspired
lines written by Francis Scott Key, as,
while a prisoner on board a British fri
gate. he watched the unsuccessful bonn
bardment OF Fort McHenry, near Balti-
more, in 1914, are wildly regarded as
nearer than any other to meeting the
bappeal.
America" has a powerful hold on the
lpeople OF this country, but 70 is con-
sidered by many unsuitable for official
recognition because It's melody is iden-
tical with that OF England's God Save
the King" Yankee Doodle" although
sung through all the nations wars, Is
thought too light, and in the South. at
least, is unfortunately believed to carry
a note Of sectionalism-
The majestic Battle Hymn Of the Re
public" musicians contend, falls short
OF the standard, while 1.-THE Red, White
and Blue" Rally Round the Flag" and
others also are said 10 be unsuitable
"Dixle," although carry a powerful
emotional appeal, Is acknowledged to bi
peculiarly the song OF the South.
The music Of "The Star Spanglet
Banner" has been adversely criticized
because It's wide range makes It's sing
ing difflcult for the average crowd. Yet
IT'S appeal has increased through a cen
fury to the point where it would bl
dificult TO displace IL in the affections
OF the American people. The words
written under the stress Of strong pa
triotic emotion, express sentiments tha
are the bulwark Of the nations pride
Key. lust before nc wrote "'rhe Star
Spangled Banner" had been appointe,
an emissary from the town of Marl
borough in Maryland TO the British
commander TO procure the release OF
captured Marlborough physician. Hi
mission was successful, but Key wa
detained a few days until the enem,
could launch the attack on Baltimore
From the deck Of the British vessel h
watched shot and shell rain on tn
ramparts Of Fort McHenry through tn
day and night, and In the poem he ex
presses his elation when he saw the fla
siill waving at dawn.
An effective musical vehicle for IN
noem was found Ia the i0viSi old Brit
Ish song "Anacreon in Heaven" tn
authorship OF which is in controversy
DR.. Samuel Arnold popularly is believe
to have composed "Anacreon,' and tn
resolution now before Congress pro
vides that the music as written by hin
shall be used. Anacreon, to whom tn
song was inscribed, has been Aharac
terlzed as one Of Greece's most brilliant
but bibulous lyric poets. His statue
erected IN Athens after his death, rep
resented him in a state Of yinous hill
arty.
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