Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1812-01-06
Original leostrp.
NEW YEAR 1912.

Beneath clear, salubrIous sky,
Where plenty reignd and peace and Joy
Meier wish'd increase, or felt alloy.
The scene how chsng'd-how chang'd in.
deed
1t makes the Patriots bosom bleed
To think how, from its high estate
Is sunken now our csuntry's fate
It's honor and its fame so bright
Now setting in the shades Of night:
To think upon what fatal laws
Now hangs once great Nations cause
How madly bent, our rulers strive
A country unprepar'd to drive
To join in wars destructive train
When sll's TO lose and nought 70 gain
To please tyrant must we show,
Resentment 10 that tyrant's foe
Must we our lives and wealth destroy,
In fighting her to give him joy
Our Independence spurns the thought,
And If that blthright is not bought,
Still shall we shun the tempter's vile,
Our country yet with blessings smile.
But small the hope, the fear, how great
We now half feel our wretched fate.
The net already seems prepared,
And half our liberties ensnar'd.
Where is our county's virtue fed
Say, does ID slumber with the dead;
Or, by unhallow'd vengeance spurn'd,
Has it 10 private shades return'd
With pain we view our native state,
Among her sisters, once so great,
When men, who hll'd her highest trust, }
Were faIhtu!, dignJfed and just,
Not sway'd by fear or parry lust. y
The Commonwealth their care and aim,
With them none had exclusive claim
Ability and worth the test,
BY which 10 fiji It's stations best
BY these each office was lmprov'd,
For these It's occupants belov'd.
Ia these days OF innovation
PAriy tsver gives the station
The requisites Of fed'rsl date
Are now Of little use on weight.
IT, be democrats enough
(Whether Of cosrse or finer stuff
The native grOguth is all the rule)
To get garment for fool.
However azpkard it MAJ suit,
1t matters nothing to a brute,
fit but warm, his csrcase hold,
Others may wonder, laugh, or scold-
The bear will still remain bear,
Tho he the thickest wool may wear;
And tho the monkey in mans dress,
His grace or wisdom don't possess,
Yet slill he struts, and looks as great
AS tho he were Potentste.
Tho sacred merit for an hour
May be Oppressed and crush'd by pow'r,
Yet like the plant, robbd of its shoot,
Ii holds It's life within its root:
And when kind Spring resumes her reign,
It's wonted honors will regain.
Tho Party Tigers may suoeced.
Make virtue prev, their zUheloS to feeds
Their reign of slaughter will not last,
lis cad we trust noID hastens fast;
And when it comes shall Public trust
Be given TO the wise and just.
Then shall the Tyrants Of an hour
Be forc'd 10 yield their i'll got pow'r,
And honors now unlusliy PLACID,
by tools no longer be disgrac'd
When Public Justice shall require
Our Chief IN Office to retire,
Say, can he feel tbat calm within,
That tranauii conscience, without sin
AVlR hO SlAAiR tiAo IAO@~b
And rob his pillow Of its rest
Can lac reflect with heartfelt JOY,
Twas his ambition and employ
With upright conduct to preside.
When PLACID our guardian and our guide
And that for sentiment alone
Man who had old N office grown
II al serv'd tie public nt'rest well
AS public confidence will Tell,
In driving from their seals Of trust
He acted honestly and just
And, thar the tools his pow'r has rAis'd
For ADLER virtues viii be prais'd.
No, when reflection clears ms mind
From party zeal and passion bind,
His past career he must lament,
And, tho too late, the dec! repent:
Peace must from his bGsom fly
And siumber scorn TO close d eye
Remo Sc must point its shsrpest cart
10 wound and rAnkie i'll MS heart.
Ev'n those, vino fell beneath his rod