When North Carolina celebrated its centenary, the Marine Band was
ordered to Fayetteville to participate in the ceremonies. The
little Southern town was much interested in the advent of the
"President's Band," and the prevailing opinion was that "Dixie"
would be tabooed music with us. Before the exercises a local
committee waited upon me and intimated that "Dixie" was a popular
melody in that vicinity.

"Of course," said the spokesman, "we don't want you to play anything
you don't want to, but please remember, sir, that we are very fond
of 'Dixie' here."

Bowing gravely, I thanked the committee for their interest in my
programme, but left them completely in the dark as to whether I
intended to play the loved song of the South or not.


"Dixie," by the President's Band.

The ceremonies opened with a patriotic address by Governor Fowle,
lauding the glories of the American flag and naturally the only
appropriate music to such a sentiment was "The Star-Spangled
Banner," which the crowd patriotically cheered.

The tone of the succeeding oration was equally fervid, but the
speaker enlarged upon the glories of the Commonwealth whose one
hundredth anniversary was being celebrated. The orator sat down,
there was a momentary pause, and then as I raised my baton the
strains of "Dixie" fell upon the delighted ears of the thousands
round the platform.