Arizona republican., 1922-06-15

which they saw the bombardment.
The rockets red glare, the bombs
bursting in air. We're watched all
night long by the two Americans.
torn with anxiety for the fate of their
| country.
"The poem was written OH an en-
velope and other scraps of paper
during the bombardment and within
| a few hours afterwards. 1t was
literally the inspiration of great
moment and a moving experience.
On the retirement of the defeated
fleet. Mr.. Key was given his freedom
and the poem was published at. once.
attaining instant 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 i'm
mortal work ss 1t is possible that to
his poets soul came later realiza-
ton that he had written lines which
meant undying fame? There are
evidences that he did conceive that
the great inspiration had raised him
to heights he had never touched be-
fore. When the poem was printed
watched it's reception with the pro-
foundest interest: he wrote of his
qualification that it was so well re-
garded.
Tells Fateful Story
sIf one. forgetting the music, will
ponder that poem of battle and VIC
tory and Thanksgiving. / think he will
comprehend the elements that have
made ii great--great as a song OF
patriotism and exaItation great mere
lv as a. piece of poetica1 portraiture.
The first stanza tells the anxiety with
which after the bombardment had
seased. the author peered through
the mists of dawn and asked the one
question whose answer would tell the
fateful story:
60 Can you see by the
dawns early light;
"TWhat so proudly We haifd at the
twilights last cleaning.
In the second stanza he glimpses
the banner and bursts into song of
rejoicing. The third stanza is a de-
fiance 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:
80, thus be it ever. when free men
stall stand.
Between their loved home and the
wars desolation.''
THAT was the poets prayer. We
may fairly claim, in pride for the
deeds of our fathers. our sons, our
brothers. the prayer has been grant
ed. The faith has been kept
1T is the hope of American heart
today that it will continue to be kept.
The intervening century has brought
our country power and high place.
1t has cast upon us heavy burdens of
responsibility making us share the
difficult problems of world in the
turmoil of a new time. We need all
the inspira tion and faith which fired
his glowing soul of patriotism. No
generation of men has ever come into
the world to find its path smoothed
or to find its problems solved for 1t
in advance. Solution is the fit price
we pay for our great inheritance of
liberty and opportunity.
THE outstanding and the reassur-
ing thought of today is the supreme
exaltation Of Key in the hour of great
trial, to reveal the soul of patriot.
in the night of surprising anxiety and
devotion to country.
mo concern for self-narrowed his
thought. No glorification of the in
dividual marred his vision. No pur
suit of fame set his soul ablaze. No
personal advantage hindered his pen.
His country and his concern for its
safety were combined in his all con-
suming thought; the nation was the
great. uplisting and exalting love.
In this impassioned, anxious self
sacrificing exalting and exulting love
of country. transcending all else. Key
reached the sublime heights and
wrote the poetic revelation of an
American soul aflame.
'9f our generation Is called to
shoulder unprecedented burdens it
may rejoice in unexampled strength.
Everlastingly right in the great fun
damentals we may face the future
with every confidence, providing men
give first of heart and soul to the
republic and its righteous institu-
tions and give first thought and un
failing devotion to the nations per-
petuity.
'An American citizenship of the
high and simple faith of Francis Scott
Key. aflame for defense and no less
devoted in meeting the problems OF
peace will add to the lustre of the
banner he5so proudly acclaimed. Ev-
cry glittering star is fixed, every
worth while procession is the more
impressive for it's bearing, every pas
sion for country is refined by its
unfolding. On ships of mercy, or
vessels of war, in the armed camp or
at the memorials of peace, in rejoic-
ing procession or flying from the staff
over the simple temples of the Shout
ing youth of America, everywhere it
pleases the eye and treasures the
heart and stirs the soul until we sing
in all confidence with the poet
patriot:
!. The Star Spangled Banned. In
triumph shall wave.
" .O'er the land of the free and the