Year: 1859

+ The following history of the now famous


song OF Hail Columbia" which We publish


below,l from the pen OF the author. Judge


John Hopkinson. wi! be read with interest


by those of our readers who are unacquain,ed


with il. The author says:


The son. was written in the summer Of


1898. when a war with France was thought


to be nevitsble-Congress being then in


session in Philadelphia, deliberssing upon


that important subject, aud acts of hostility


having actually occurred. The contest be-


tween England and France was raging. and


the people were devided into parties for the


one side or tae other, some thinking that the


policy and duty required US to take part with


Il, gHbflcaa FrGece. as she was called others


were for our conneetiong ourselves with Eng.
land, under the belief that she was the gres,
preservative power of good principles aud
safe government.


The violation of our right by both belliger-
ents was forcing us from the just and wise
policy Of President Washington, which was
TO do equal justice to both. 10 take part with
neither, but to keep strict and honest neu-
trahty between them. The prospect of
rupture with Franco was exceedingly often
sive to the portion of the people who espoused
her cause. and the violence of party spiris
has never risen higher--I think not so high
AS il did at that time on that question:
The theater was then open in our city. A
young man belonging 10 it whose talent was
a singer. was about to take his benefit. l
had known him when he was at school. On
this accq aintauce he called on me in the
afternoon. his benefit being announced for
the following day. He said he had no boxes
taken, and the prospec. was that he should
suffer loss instead of receiving a benefit
FL. 81, !.
get patriotic song adapted TO the tune of
the PRESIDENTS March, then the popular
air, he did not doubt Of full house: that the
poets of the theatrca! corps had been trying
to accomplish IT, but were satisfied that no
words could be composed to suit the music
of that march. | told him ! would try for
him.


He came the next afternoon and the song,
such as it was was ready for him. II was
announced on Monday morning. and the
theater was crowded TO excess. and so con.
tinued night after night for the rest of the
season. the song being eucored and repeated
many times each night, the whole audience
joining IN the chorus Ii was also sung at
night in the streets by large assemblies Of
citizens. including members of Congress
The enthusiasm was general, and the song
was heard, we may say, in every part of the
United States. The object OF the author was
TO get up American spirit. which should
be independent of, and above the interests.
passions. and policy of both belligerents. aud
look and feel for our own honor and rights.
Not an allusion is made either to France or
England or the quarrel between them, or to
which was the most IN fault in their treat
ment of u.s. OF course the song found favor
with both parties; at least none of them could
disOwn the sentiment it Inculcated II was
truly American, ald nothing else, and the
patriotic heart of every American responied
to it. Such is the history of the song. which
has endured infinitely beyond any expecta-
ton of the author, and beyond any merit il
can boast of except that of being truly and
exclusively patriotic in its sentiments and
spirit.