New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-06-15

ence how significant was the failure
Of the night attack on Fort McHenry.
Il spelled the failure Of the most am
bilious project ever put forth for the
subjueation Of this continent. The
Maryland militia and the limited force
Of regulars saved the Chesapeake and
won for Baltimore the distinction OF
being the only great seaport on The
Atlantic coast which has never been
occupied by an enemy. ] trust that
for ali the future Baltimore will have
10 share that fortune with every other
seaport: but the fact remains that
when the British armada Of 1914 re-
tired, bc>;cn, from Fort MoHenry, It
left with Baltimore the eminence Of
being the one great American port over
which no enemy flag had ever waved.
Song Ovcrshndows Victory
Great a. were the issues decided
that September day. the victory was
proved Of very minor interest in the
popular mind compared 20 the fact that
the battle inspired The Stor-Spangled
Banner Mr. Key rad gone as a quasi
Official envoy on board the British flag
ship % seek release OF an American
prisoner. Admiral Cockbu.n was IN
willing 70 let him return until after
the bombardment lest some Of the
plans should get TO the knowledge OF
the Americans So Mr.. Key and
friend we're retained on board a cartel
ship. the Minden. from which they saw
the bombardment. The rockets red
glare. the bombs bursting IN air were
watched all night long By the two
Americans. torn with anxiety for the
IL -.
"Tho poem was written on an en-
velope and other scraps OF paper dur
ing the Commandment, and within
few hours afterwards. II was liter
ally the inspiration Of a great moment
and a moving experience. On the re-
tirement Of the defeated feet, Mr. Key
was given his freedom. and the poem
was published at once, attaining in
slant popularity.
Did Francis Scott Key. during the
narrowing hours Of that summer night
vigil in the storm Of battle. realize
that he was producing an immortal
work? Is IL possible that TO his poets
soul came later realization that he had
written lines which meant undying
fame? There are evidences that he
did conceive that the great inspiration
had raised him 70 heights he had never
touched before. When the poem was
printed and circulated in Baltimore, he
watched it's reception with the pro-
foundest interest; he wrote Of his
qualification that it was so well re-
garded
Analyses Songs Elements
"If one. forgetting the music. will
ponder that poem Of battle and victory
/ and thanksgiving think he will com
prehend the elements that have made
/ IL great; great as a song OF patriotism
and exaltation, great merely as piece
/ Of poetica portraiture. The first stanza
I tells the anxiety with which, after the
bombardment had ceased, the author
pered through the mists OF dawn and
asked the question whose answer would
tell the truthful story;
%. -.can you sss, By the eawn' early
what 90 proudly va haird at tbs Twi-
lights last cleaning"
In the second stanza he glimpses
the banner and bursts into song OF re-
ioicing. The third stanza is defiance
Of the oppressor; and then, in the
fourth and last stanza we find the note
Of Thanksgiving, the prayer that the
victory may be justified in the conduct
Of a race Of free men.
'oh thus be 1t ever when free men shall
Between their Iovd home and the wars
desoiapon."
THAT was the poets prayer. We
may fairly claim. In pride for the deeds
Of our ourfathers, our sons. our
brothers, the prayer has been granted
Country Needs Keys Faith
"The faith has been kept. II IS the
hope Of every American heart TO-DAY
tbst II will continue 10 be kept. The
Intervening century has brought our
country power and high place: 1t has
cast upon US heavy burdens Of respon-
sibility. making us share the difficult
problems Of world in the turmoil
Of new time. We need all the inspi-
ration and faith which fred his glow
ing soul Of patriotism. No generation