the star-spangled banner(星条旗)-第3章
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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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THE STAR…SPANGLED BANNER
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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