FAMOUS ORATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 September 1942, Page 4

FAMOUS ORATION

BY AUTHOR OF “STAR-SPANGLE! BANNER.” COPY PRESENTED TO STATE LIBRARY. A first-edition copy of the addres delivered by the author of “The Star Spangled Banner,’ Francis Scott Key in the rotunda of the Capitol of th United States, July 4, 1831, writes : special correspondent of the “Christiai Science Monitor,” has been presents lo the New York State Library by Jess Merritt, historian of Nassau County, i was announced today by Arthur Pound State Historian. “In his own day,” Mr Pound said “Francis Scott Key was better know! as a public speaker than a poet. Oi February 22, 1814, seven months' befor composing “The Star-Spangled Banner, Key delivered an important patriot! oration at the Old Presbyterian Meet ing House in Alexandria, Va. For twi years the Nation had been distressed b) a so far unsuccessful war, and th young lawyer's eager mind was full o the burning fervour which in Septem ber burst forth in the poem which late became our national anthem. “On July 4, 1831, honoured with th, invitation to speak under Cengressiona auspices, he appeared as one of the eld er bards and statesmen. Eloquently, ii words full of meaning for us today, hi reviewed the sacrifices of those wh< had established and preserved the

Nation: “Under such circumstances, and in such times, no ordinary men could have put forth the Declaration of American Independence. It brought the Nation together as one man—all saw that they were parties in the conflict, that their dearest rights we’-e to be sustained or lost forever—and tney becamd a nation of patriots. They saw that upon our fields were to be decided the fate of nations, the destiny of man . . . The oppressor may roll on his countless hosts, but he commands only their hands . . . and they will soon learn that they, too, arc men, not mere machines of murder’.”

Through the generosity of Mr Merritt, the Francis Scott Key 1831 oration from the national Capitol now takes its place as a highly valued item in the State’s collection of patriotic addresses. The list has risen to 2300 titles.