The Holly chieftain., 1923-06-07

uonal Inspiration. Here the patriotic sons Of the
. early Republic crushed one Of the most ambitious
invasions ever aimed against nation Here
during the rage Of combat. was born the swelling
: anthem of American patriotism
1t s wholly fitting that Flag Day should pc
= chosen for this commemoration and rededication
= because our hymn Of patriotism is an apostrophe
to the flag love. Yea, it Is apostrophe and In
= vocation as WELL born Of patriotic and poetic
: soul in the travail of sublmely 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 1t great-great as song Of patriotism and
exatation, great merely piece Of poetical por-
= traiture The first stanza tells the anxiety with
= which, after the bombardment had ceased, the
= author peered through the mists of dawn and
Z asked the one question whose answer would tell
! the fatefu story:
'ss q e. sasK
In the second stanza he glimpses the banner, and
= bursts into song of rejoicing The third stanza
. is defiance of the oppressor; and then, In the
fourth and last stanza, we find the note Of thanks
= giving, the prayer that the victory may be justi
!. fed in the conduct Of race Of freemen:
q Between their lovd home and the wars desolation.
That was the poets prayer We may fairly
claim, in pride for the deeds Of our fathers our
q sons, our brothers, the prayer has been granted
= The faith has been kept.
= Il is the hope Of every American heart today
:, that 1t 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-
sponsbillty, making share the difficult problems
8 of world in the turmoil of new time We need
all the inspiration and faith which fired his glow
= Ing soul Of patriotism. No generation Of men
= tha xyor tn Hndi In
smoothed, OF to find Its problems solved for 1t in
= advance. Solution Is the fit price we pay for our
8, great Inheritance of liberty and opportunity.
The outstanding and the reassuring thought of
today Is the supreme exaltation Of Key In the
hour Of great trial, to reveal the soul of pa
triot In the night of surprising anxiety and de-
y votiOn TO country.
Z No concern for self narrowed his thought No
= glorifcaton Of the individual marred his vision
:. No pursuit of fame set his soul ablaze No per.
= sonal advantage hindered his pen. His country
Z, and his concern for its safety were combined In
= his all-consuning thought; the nation was the
q great, uplifting and exalting love- In this i'm.
passioned anxious self-sacrifcing exating and ex.
= ultng love of country, transcending all else Key
= reached the sublime heights and wrote the poetic
\ revelation Of an American soul a1ame
= An American citizenship of the high and simple
!, faith Of Francis Scott Key, afame 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 glttering star is fixed
y every worthwhile procession is the more impres.
q sive for Its bearing, every passion for country is
= refined by its unfolding. On ships of mercy or
vessels Of war. in the armed camp or at the memo
. rals Of peace, in rejoicing procession or flying
from the stan over the simple temples Of the
Il schooling youth Of America-everywhere 1t pleases
the eye, and reassures the heart and stirs the
= SOUL until we sing in NIL confidence with the poet.
q patriot
Der the land Of the free and the home Of brave