Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-04-30
Keys Immortal
Hymn to Become
National Anthem


a century and a half of delay the
United States seems about to acquire
a national anthem
The Star Spansled Banner would
be adopted as the officially recognized
hymn of the republic under a resolu-
ton by Representative McF'adden, of
PENNSYLVANIA, now pending in the
house. Little, if any, opposition is ex-
pected
Army and navy regulations long
have designated the Star Spangled
Banner" as the official anthem and
provide that officers and men shall
stand at attention while it is being
played or sung, but the country at
large has been left to its own tastes in
the matter of selecting an appropriate
hymn for patriotic occasions. Thus
The Star Spangled Banner has been
widely accepted by the American pub
lie as the representative hymn of the
nation and patriotic societies for many
years have been agitating for its Off
cial adoption.
Every land has a national anthem
sonorous straints Of III Marseillaise
breathe the indomitable spirit, the
achievements and the aspirations of
France While going down in vessels,
Englands 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
melody of "Brabanconne.' Italians sing
Garibaldis hymn, while the Irish and
Scotch have a veritable 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
melodies have been written in an eff
fort to meet the demand. Yet, the in
spirited lines written by Francis Scott
Key, while as a prisoner on board
British frigate, he watched the unsuc-
cessful bombardment of Fort NC
Henry. near Baltimore, in 1874 are
widely regarded as nearer than any
other to meeting the appeal.
America" has a powerful hold on
the people of this country, but 1t Is
considered by many unsuitable for Of
fetal recognition because its melody is
identical with that of Englands God
Save the King" Yankee Doodle, al
tho sung thru all the nations wars
is thought too light, AMI in the south
at least. is unfortunately believed to
carry note of sectionalism.
The majestic Battle Hymn OF the
Republic ;" musicians claim, falls short
of the standard. while The Red'
White and Blue" Rally Round the
Flag" ard others also are said to be
unsuitable. Dixie" altho carrying
powerful emotional appeal, is &C
knowledged to be peculiarly the SONG
Of the south.
The music of the Star Spangled
Banner" has been adversely criticised
because it's wide range makes its sing
ing difficult FOR the average crowd.
Yet, its appeal has increased thru d
century to the point where it would DC
difficult to displace it in the affections
of the American people. The words
written under the stress of strong pa
triotic emotion, express sentiments
that are the Duiwarh OF the nation
pride.
Key, Just before he wrote THE StaI
Spa ed Rarner', had been appointed
an emissary from the town of MARI
borough in Maryland to the British
commander to procure the release o.
n captured Marlborough physician
His mission was successful, but Key
" Az detained a few days until the en-
emv could launch the attack on Baltl-
more. From the deck of the British
vessel he watched shot and shell rain
on the ramnarts Of Fort McHenry thru
the dag ard aight, ard in the poem ne
expresses his citation when ne Sa" th'
rias sim waving at dawn
An effective musical sehicls FOR th'
posrn was rouLj in the joFiat OH
British song. Auacrson IN HEAVEN
the authorship Of which is In contro-
yersy. DR.. Samuel Arnold popularity !!