Yea, forth they went, nerved to forsake Home, and the chains they might not bear-- And woman's heart was strong, to break The links of love which bound her there. Here, free to worship and believe, From many a log-built hut, at eve, Went up the suppliant voice of prayer. Is it not writ on history's page, How the strong arm claimed _our heritage_?-- Of the lion claimed his lair!
Our people sang no loud war-songs, They shouted no loud battle-cry-- A burning memory of their wrongs Lit up their path to victory! With prayer to God to aid the right, The yeoman girded him for fight, To free the land he tilled, or die! They bore no proud escutcheon'd shield-- No blazoned banners to the field-- Nought but their motto--'LIBERTY!'
Their sons--when after years shall fling O'er these romance--when time hath cast The mighty shadow of his wing Between them and the stoned past-- Will tell of foul oppression's heel, Of hands which bore the avenging steel, And battled sternly to the last-- By their hearth-fires--on the hill-side free, Till the swell is caught by the echöing sea, And hymned by the wandering blast!
BY ALPHONSO WETMORE, ESQ., AUTHOR OF THE 'GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI.'
MORE than one half of the inhabitants of the globe have an imperfect idea of the sufferings that are endured by their kindred, even in the vicinity of their own dwellings. The same laudable sentiment that induces display of the elegancies of life, causes concealment of our miseries, or humiliating misfortunes. The social feeling which induces us to lend aid to a neighbor in peril, or in the full tide of prosperous action, tends to the exhibition of our good fortune; it is sympathy in both instances. It is the sufferer who seeks concealment, having no flattering prospects to offer for the congratulations of the sympathetic. It is the jealous distrust of our natures that induces the pedestrian, who is toiling onward with a humid brow, to cast a nervous and discontented glance at the tenants of the post-coach, as it darts onward; and he welcomes the cloud of dust that insures concealment of his woes, created only by contrast. It is only when crime brings suffering on the innocent kindred of the criminal, that there exists serious cause of discontent.