, 1923-06-07

a tional inspiration. 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 swelling
u anthem of American patriotism.
u 1t Is wholly fitting that Flag Day should be
4 chosen for this commemorative and rededication,
a because our hymn of patriotism is an apostrophe
a to the Gag we love. Yea, 1t Is apostrophe and In
a vocation as well. born of a patriotic and poetic
a soul in the travail of a sublimely heroic night.
y If one, forgetting the music. Will ponder that
n poem of battle and victory and thanksgiving, I
: think he will comprehend the elements that have
. made 1t great-great as a song OF patriotism ana
exaltation. great merely as a piece of poetical por-
u traiture. The first stanza tells the anxiety with
d which. after the bombardment had ceased. the
= author peered through the mists of dawn and
u asked the one question whose answer would tell
a the fateful story:
can you see. by the dawn,s early light;
= In the second stanza he glImpses the banner. and
\ bursts into song of rejoicing. The third stanza
a is n defiance of the oppressor; and then, In the
a fourth and last stanza, we find the note of thanks
, giving, the prayer that tho victory may be JUST
!. fed in the conduct of a race of freemen:
. 0. thus be IT ever. when freemen shall stand
a Between their lov'd home and the wars desolation.
u That was the poets prayer. We may fairly
\ claim. in pride for the deeds Of our fathers, our
y sons. our brothers, the prayer has been granted.
n The faith has been kept.
n II 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. II has cast upon us heavy burdens of re-
sponslbility, making us share the difficult problems
q Of a world in the turmoil of a new time. We need
"a all the Inspiration and faith which fired his glow
h ing soul OF patriotism. No generation of men
u has ever come into the world to find its path
N smoothed, or to find its problems solved for 1t in
a advance. Solution is the fit price we pay for our
.. great Inheritance of liberty und opportunity.
The outstanding and the reassuring thought Of
= today is the supreme exaltatlon of Key. in the
= hour OF great trial. TO reveal the soul of a pa
q triot, In the night Of surprising anxiety and de-
n votlon to country.
"a No concern for self narrowed his thought. No
n Qualification of the individual married his vision.
- No pursuit OF fame set his soul abIaze. No per-
m sonnl advantage hindered his pen. His country
and his concern for Its safety were combined in
his all.consumlng thought; the nation was the
great, uplifting and exalting love. In this I'm.
y passioned. anxious. self-sacrihclng, exaltlng and ex.
y ulting love OF country, transcendlng all else. Key
. reached the sublime heights. and wrote the poetic
n revelation OF an American soul aname.
An American citizenship Of the high and simnle
y faith Of Francis Scott Key. alame for defense.
aud 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,
y every worthwhile procession is the more impress.
N sive for Its bearing. every passion for country IL
N refined by Its unfolding. On ships of mercy or
N vessels of war, in the armed camp or nj the memo
rails Of peace. In rejoicing procession or living
from the stan over the simple temples ~ tho
schooling youth Of erlca-everywher II nleoses
the eye, and reassures the heart and stlrs tho
= soul, until we sing In all confidence with the poet.
n patriot
)" Ger the Land q the "ft rss and q the ss'SS omDs Of ss e. brave rave