Origin of Some Popular War Songs

328 IMPROVEMENT ERA. which man has derived what he knows of its laws. So with the work of the botanist, the physicist, the zoologist, and all others whose labor is with the laws of creation. It follows that, in their unity, the principles of creation can be comprehended only through an understanding of the design of Him who created the universe and originated the principles on which it is governed. Therefore, perfectly unified knowledge is impossible without a knowledge of God. The conclusions which are to be drawn from these arguments, will be stated and summarized in a subsequent paper.

ORIGIN OF SOME POPULAR WAR SONGS.

"The Battle Cry of Freedom," "Tramp, Tramp, the Boys are Marching," "Just Before the Battle Mother," and a score of other war-songs, were written by Dr. George F. Root. He did more for his country by his stirring songs of freedom than he could probably have done had he shouldered the musket. It was

no ordinary feeling that his appeals inspired; they came from his pen aflame with patriotic enthusiasm and never failed to inspire the sons of freedom. In 1861, the Lombard Brothers were in Chicago for the purpose of holding a war-song meeting. They were anxious for a new song and their need inspired Dr. Root, who straightway wrote both the words and the music of "The Battle Cry of Freedom." The ink was scarcely dry before it was sung from the courthouse steps. One brother sang the verses, the other joined in the refrain. Before they finished, a thousand voices took part in the chorus. In the Reform excitement of 1867, in England, it became as well known there as in America.