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have cheered the hearts of American sailors in peril of enemies on the sea
from Algiers to Apia Harbor。 If the cheering of the Calliope by the crew
of the Trenton binds closer together the citizens of the two English…
speaking nations； should its companion scene； no less thrilling； be
forgottenwhen the Trenton bore down upon the stranded Vandalia to her
almost certain destruction； and the encouraging cheer of the flag…ship was
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THE STAR…SPANGLED BANNER
answered by a response； faint； uncertain； and despairing？
Almost at once； as the last cheer died away：
Darkness hid the ships。 As those on shore listened for the crash；
another sound came up from the deep。 It was a wild burst of music in
defiance of the storm。 The Trenton's band was playing 〃The Star…
Spangled Banner。〃 The feelings of the Americans on the beach were
indescribable。 Men who on that awful day had exhausted every means of
rendering some assistance to their comrades now seemed inspired to
greater efforts。 They dashed at the surf like wild creatures； but they were
powerless。
No； it is too late to divorce words and music。
The song is generally accorded its deserved honor； the man who wrote
it has been allowed to remain in unmerited obscurity。 The Pacific coast
alone； in one of the most beautiful of personal monuments；* has
acknowledged his service to his countrya service which will terminate
only with that country's life； for he who gives a nation its popular air；
enfeoffs posterity with an inalienable gift。 Yet Key was the close
personal friend of Jackson； Taney；who was his brother… in…lawJohn
Randolph of Roanoke； and William Wilberforce。 He it was； in all
probability； who first thought out the scheme of the African Colonization
Society； the first； on his estate in Frederick County； to open； in 1806； a
Sunday…school for slaves； who set free his own slaves； and who was；
throughout his whole career； the highest contemporary type of a modest
Christian gentleman。 This religious side of Key's character found
expression in that find hymn found in the hymnals of all Protestant
denominations；
Lord； with glowing heart I'd praise thee。
*In Golden Gate Park； San Francisco。
Foote； in his 〃Reminiscences；〃 leads us to think highly also of Key's
personal appearance； and of his powers as a public speaker。
Francis Scott Key was the son of John Ross Key； a Revolutionary
officer。 He was born in Frederick County； Maryland； August； 1780。 He
studied law； was admitted to the bar at Frederick； subsequently moved to
Georgetown； and was district attorney for three terms。 He was frequently
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intrusted with delicate missions by President Jackson。 A volume of his
poems was published in 1856。 He died in 1843； and is buried in the little
cemetery at Frederick； Maryland。 Efforts have been made in his native
State to erect a monument over his grave； but unsuccessfully。 In justice
such a memorial shaft should be the gift of the whole American people。
As it is； his grave is not without tributes which are curious and
honorable。 During the war Frederick was quietly a 〃rebel town；〃 but it
contained one good patriot besides Barbara Frietchie。 This loyal Mr。 B…
…； when he received favorable news from the Northern army； or whenever
his patriotism had need of bubbling over； regularly made a pilgrimage to
Key's grave； and there； standing at the head of it； exultantly and
conscientiously sang through the whole of Key's song。
On every Decoration Day the grave is covered with flowers； and the
flag which always waves therethe Star…Spangled Banner which his
strained eyes saw on that 14th of September； 1814； rise triumphant above
the smoke and vapor of battleis reverently renewed。
Perhaps； after all； it is his best monument。
The flag of 1814 and that of 1894 are nearly identical； the greatest
change being merely in smaller stars in the cluster。 The flag of the
United States； adopted June 14； 1777； was one of thirteen stripes； alternate
red and white； with a union of thirteen white stars in a blue field。 Upon
the admission of Kentucky and Vermont； two stripes and two stars were
added。 This flag continued in use until 1818； when； five more States
having been admitted； the bars were reduced to the original thirteen； with
an added star for every new State； the star to be placed in position on the
Fourth of July following the admission。
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