The Dolores star., 1923-06-15

tlonal Inspiration. Here the patriotic of the
- early Republic crushed of the most ambitious
. nvasions ever aimed against our nation. Here,
during the rage Of combat, was born the swelling
: anthem of American patriotism.
= 1t Is wholly fitting that Flag Day should be
q chosen for this commemoration and rededlcation,
= because our hymn of patriotism Is an apostrophe
y to the flag love. Yea 1t Is apostrophe and In
q vocation as well. born Of patriotic and poetic
= soul in the travail of a submely heroic night.
~
= If one, forgetting the music. will ponder that
= 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
exataton, great merely as piece of poetical por-
traiture. The first stanZa tells the anxiety with
. which, after the bombardmeht had ceased the
q author peered through the mists Of dawn and
q asked the one question whose answer would tell
= the fateful story:
s ss a' the ~sh
In the second stanza he glimpses the banner. and
= bursts Into song of rejoicing. The third stanza
a is defiance of the oppressor; and then, In the
n fourth and last stanza, find the note of thanks
y giving, the prayer that the victory may be justi
y fed in the conduct of race of freemen:
q O. thus be 1t ever. when freemen shall stand
q Between their lov'd home and the wars desolation.
= That the poets prayer. We may fairly
q clum, in pride for the deeds, Of fathers our
a SONS, brothers, the prayer has been granted.
"A The faith has been kept.
. 1t is the hope of every American heart today
!, that it will continue to be kept. The Intervening
I, century has brought our country power and high
! place. 1t has cast upon us heavy burdens of re-
: sponsibity, making us share the difficult problems
= of world in the turmoil of a new time. We need
all the Inspiration and faith which fired his glow
q ing soul Of patriotism No generation of men
q has ever come into the world to find Its path
q snoohed to find its problems solved for 1t in
n advance Solution Is the fit price we pay for
!. great Inheritance of liberty and opportunity. .
The outstanding and the reassuring thought of
= today Is the supreme eXaltation of Key, in the
d hour of great trial. to reveal the soul Of pa
triot, in the night of surprising anxiety and de-
a voton to country
q No concern for self narrowed his thought No
q glorfcaton of the individual marred his vision
: No pursuit of fame set his soul ablaze No per-
!. sona advantage hindered his pen His country
I and his concern for Its safety combined in
I I his all-consuming thought; the nation was the
great, uplifting and exating love. In this I'm
passioned anxious sefsacrifcing exalting and ex-
q ulting love of country. transcending all else. Key
reached the sublime heights, and wrote the poetic
\ revelation Of an American soul alame.
. An American citizenship of the high and simple
4 faith Of Francis Scott Key. aflame for Defense
and no less devoted in meeting the problems of
peace. will add to the luster of the banner he SO
proudly acclaimed. Every glittering star Is fixed
Z every worthwhile procession is the impress
q sve for its bearing, every passion for country is
= refined by Its unfolding. On ships Of mercy or
a vessels of war, in the armed camp at the memo
!, rials of peace. in rejoicing procession flying
Z from the staff over the simple temples Of the
schooling youth of America-everywhere 1t pleases
: the eye. and reassures the heart and stirs the
SOUL until we sing in all confidence with the poet
= patriot
: Tho star-spanEled Banner in triumph shall wave
Ger the land of the free and the home Of the