The Colorado statesman., 1923-06-09

N tional inspiration Here the patriotic sons OF me
- early Republic crushed of the most ambitious
= invasons aimed against our nation Here
= during the rage of combat, was born the swelllhe
a anthem of American patriotism
"a 1t is wholly fitting that Flag Day should be
n chosen for this commemoratlon and rededcation'
"a because our hymn of patriotism is an apostrophe
u to the flag love- Yea it is apostrophe and In
a vocation well, born of patriotic and poetic
n soul in the travail of submely heroic night
"a
n If one. forgetting the music, will ponder that
n poem of battle and victory and thanksgiving |
-. think he will comprehend the elements that have
= made it great-great as a song of patriotism and
= exaltation great merely a piece of poetical por
d traiture. The first stanza tells the anxiety with
a which, after the bombardment had ceased, the
a author peered through the mists of dawn and
"a asked the one question whose answer would tell
"a the fateful story:
q you see. by the dawp,s early early light;
a What proudly we hall d at the twilights last
"a In the second stanza he glimpses the banner, and
"a bursts into song of rejoicing The third stanza
"a is defiance of the oppressor; and then, in the
"a fourth and last stanZa, find the note Of thanks
n giving the prayer that the victory may be justi
!, fed in the conduct of of freemen:
"a o. thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
=. their lovd home and the wars desolation.
"a That was the poets prayer. We may fairly
"a cluim in pride for the deeds of fathers our
"A sons, brothers, the prayer has been granted
n The faith has been kept.
\, 1t is the hope of every 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 re-
"a sponsbilty, making share the difficult problems
u of world in the turmoil of Il time We need
a all the inspiration and faith which fired his glow
a ing soul of patriotism. No generation of
"a has into the world find Its path
n smoothed, find its problems solved for it in
"a advance. Solution is the fit price pay for
! great inheritance of liberty and opportunity.
The outstanding and the reassuring thought of
q today is the supreme eXaltation of Key in the
. hour of great trial. to reveal the soul of pa
"a trlot, in the night of surprising anxiety and de-
q votion TO country.
m glorifcaton of the individual marred his vision.
m No pursuit of fame set his soul abaze. No per
= sonal advantage hindered his pen. His country
! and his concern for its safety combined in
"a his all-consuming thought the nation was the
q great, uplifting and exalting love- In this i'm
"a passioned anxious self-sacrificing exating
n utng love of country, transcending all ese Key
a renched the sublime heights and the poetic
N revelation of an American soul alame.
~. 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
"A peace will add to the luster of the banner he
"a proudly acclaimed. Every gttering star is fixed,
"a every worthwhile procession is the impress
"a sive for its bearing, every passion for country
N refined by it's unfolding On ships of mercy or
n, vessels of in the armed camp at the
:, rails of peace in rejoicing procession or flying
= from the staff the simple temples of the
schooling youth of America-everywhere 1t pleases
@a the eye and reassures the heart and stirs the
"a SOUL until we sing in all confidence with the poet
"a patriot
oer the land Of the frse and the hams the brave