Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-16

The people Of the country have
come to the defense Of the words
Of "The Star Spangled Banner" fol-
lowing clash at patriotic meet.
Ing in New York in the course Of
which objection was raised to the
singing Of certain portions of the
anthem. The basis OF criticism was
the suggestion OF hatred toward
Great Britain. The consensus Il In
favor OF leaving the anthem un-
changed, although some newspapers
would permit the lines which have
been assailed to be omitted in gen.
eral use.
NATIONAL songs are written in
blood and tears and they live In the
hearts OF patriots" declares the st.
Joseph News Press. as It explains
that history, reason and logic do
not enter into the significance OF
national anthems. They have q sem
timental meaning" continues the
News Press. shat cannot be sub.
1ected to over.careful analysis. Our
people can be as stirred by My
Country, 'Tis of Thee set to the
music Of God Save the King as
though the music were indigenous
to our soil and entirely forgetful Of
the fact that the tune was made In
Germany"
The Grand Rapids Herald likens
the national anthem to "the clear.
pulse quickening note Of a bugle,
and recognizes IAN tnspirational
quality in the air which brings every
American, other than those with
putty souls, to his feet. The incon-
parable title and the Incompatible
tune" add the Herald, ARE quite
AAnsVmk AnA thu
song itself difIicult to sing. They
cannot be bettered and they never
win. National anthems are made by
habit, not BY dlctation. The Star
Spangled Banner II validated by
century,S inurement--and By the
electricity IN its challenge. There
will be no change. we venture to
prophecy. until the republic itself
II . memory"
I'm the opening phrase" according
TO the New York World, there 10
something almost Wagnerian; II
bursts on the ear with . never.failing
freshness. and one snaps TO attention
a. automatically a. Il Q top sergeant
had barked. After this imperious be-.
ginning, Il lapses into lyric tenderness
OH tEOD1 1AOtSD UGIAAA1sAAAUp AhtA0 bhlC
rockets red glare Here one does not
feel . cheap gloat over the nag. but o
real affection for II; and Il ID with 81
sigh OF relief that one learns that our
nag was still there. Then comes the
triumphant finale. This would be .
bit edMlaito-and- bIue-ish were Il not
for the custom OF playing Il against
the roll Of q drum, which adds o.
solemnity not supplied BY the notes
themselves. When the Anal high note
y reached. one has feeling Of real
exaltation.
The Kansas city JournaI.Post offers
the opinion: "As matter Of fact, mo-
body who sings The star Spangied
Banner. no matter how Justify, has
any other thougi1t In mind than that
or patriotic devotion to his country.
He thinks and cares nothing about
the specific words commemorative q
conflict with the mother country. He
sings HIS Arnericanisn, not any hatred
for those who made the rockets glare
and the bombs burst In afr. He sings
his patriotic Joy that the nag - still
there and that Il has waved 81 trt.
unph over the land % the free and
the home 81 the brave. One might eel
consistently advocate the abolition Of
Independence day a. to pirate about
The star Spangled Banner being NJ
hymn OF hate"
written IN the midst Of bitter
struegie ~ our forefathers,.s REMARKS i
the F'resno Bee. TT truly sounds their
souls. The stirring words have be-
hind them the strength oe tho spirit