The New York herald., 1922-06-15
The Pre.id<nt.. speech.

The Presid<nt's speech.
MY FELLOW AMERICANS:
The shrines Of American patriotism
not only reflect the quality OF Its
gratitude. but they are ever refresh
ing and inspiring. We are assembled
to-day to rededicate one Of these
sacred shrines. We are met to COM
memorate historic victory in arms,
when the young Republic was first
asserting Its national rights against
an armed foe. And We are met to
commemorate very unique achieve
ment In the literature Of national in
spiration. Here the patriotic sons of
the early Republic crushed one OF the
most ambitious invasions ever aimed
against our nation. Here, during the
rage of combat was born the SWELL
ing anthem of American patriotism.
1t Is wholly fitting that Flag Day
should be chosen for this commemora-
ton and rededication because our
hymn of patriotism Is an apostrophe
to the flag we love; yea. it is apos-
trophe and invocation as well. born
of patriotic and poetic soul in the
travail of a sublimely heroic night.
Some one has said in substance,
Let me write the songs of a people
and I care not who makes their
laws" That quotation presents one
of the living truths In every land,
under every sky. about the appeal OF
poetry and song to the finer senti-
ments of the human heart The truth
Is completely demonstrated In the ap-
peal which The Star Spangled Ban
ner" made to the American people
from the day II came from the poets
heart and pen.
f,L 70 g. No.
come here to-day not so much to
pay tribute TO the genius which
caught the inspiration of vital mo-
ment and wrote that inspiration into
one of the songs OF the ages, but
rather more to memorialize the pa
triotic service OF the author in his
everlasting contribution TO the soul
uplift and exaltation of his country
men who live after him.
Francis Scott Key, though he pro-
duced some splendid lines which are
less familiar than they deserve, was
not a great poet. He was less but he
was also more than a great poet. He
was possessor OF patriotism which
In supreme moment could make
words and meters It's creatures and
servitors, and so a modest genius was
raised in one flaming hour TO place
among the immortals. That the song
became instantly popular and that
when set to music II was Immediately
adopted as the anthem OF militant
Americanism testifies that already,
more than century ago. the convic-
tion OF a great nationalism and
great destiny had taken hold upon
the American people. To give ring
ing voice to such n conviction, to
such an Inspiration, was one OF the
greatest services which any man
could do for the young Republic.
That was the service Of Francis Scott
Key. IL was not in the production OF
soul stirring lines, thrilling with mar
tial appeal: IL was In the contribu-
ton OF his great hymn toward Great
ing that sense OF national pride and
that realization OF responsibility for
great adventure In behalf of HUI
manity which became at last the In
spiration of union preserved and OF
nationalism established.
To one who has n bent for such
oddities there will be found much of
absorbing interest In the study OF
those songs of patriotism which at
different eras have enjoyed popular
ity. The civil war brought a gener-
Gus contribution of songs. good. bad
and indifferent. but all aiding to fire
the national spirit. Once they were
on millions of tongues. sung I'm every
assembly yet one will have difficulty
finding anybody of the present gem
Grafton who Ia familiar with more
than a line or two from any OF them.
| must. of course, except Dixie"
which In the years since Appomattox
has been claimed. like every other
good thing that the South possessed,
as part of the common heritage of
the entire people.
Again. the Spanish h-American war
set US all singincs"Therc'u Be a Hot
Time In the OtS Town Tonight"
which in day became the army's