The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-08-10
P OLE T R Y
From the Massachusetts Abolitionist.

We copy the following lines from the works of Ham,
More We wouldca the attention of our own countr
men to them, and ask how long will we defer the work
mercy Britain has begun the work. She has. knockt
of the chains from 500 900 slaves To-day August
s the anniversary of that glorious event happy iuh
lee to the redeemed captives God speed the day wht
our two and half millions shall lift their unfettered arm
and unite with Britain's emancipated ones in shoutil
praises of thanksgiving for their deiyerance from oppre
SION.
Shall Britain, where the soul offeedom rcigns,
Forge chains for others she herself dsdains'
Forbid it, Heaven! Oh let the nations know
The liberty she loves, she will bestow;
Not to herselfthe glorious gA confined,
She spreads the blessing wide as human kind;
And, scorning views of time and place,
Bids all be free in earth's extended space.
What page of human annals can record
A deed SO bright as human rights restored
o may that god-like deed, that shining page,
Redeem OUR fame, and consecratr OUR age!
And let this glory mark our favored shore,
To curb false Freedom and the true restore.
And see, the cherub Mercy from above,
Descending softly, quits the sphere of love
On Britain's isle she sheds her heavenly dew;
From soul to soul the enlightened influence steals,
Till every breast the soft contagion feels
She speeds, exulting, to the burning shore,
With the best message angel ever bore;
Hank tits the note which spoke Saviours BIRTH!
Glory to God on high, and peace on earth!
She vindicates the pow r in Heaven adored,
She stills the clank of chains and sheaths the sword
She cheers the mourner, and with soothing hands
From bursting hearts unbinds tn oppressor bands;
Restores the lustre of the Christian name,
And clears the foulest blot that dimmed its fame
AS the mild spirit hovers Ger the coast,
fresher hue their wthered landscapes boasts
Her healing smiles the ruined repair,
And blasted Nature wears Joyous air;
While she proclams thro' all their spicy groves
Henceforth your fruits, your labours, and your loves
All that your sres possessed, or you have sown,
Sacred from plunder-al is YOUR OWN
And now, her high commission from above.
Stamp'd with the holy characters oflove,
The meek-eyed spirit waving in her hand
Breathes manumission Ger the rescu'd land;
She tears the banner stained with blood and tears
And, LIBERTY! thy shining standard rears!
AS the bright ensgn's glory she displays,
See pale OPPRESSION faints beneath the bazel
The giant des more his frown appals,
The chain, untouched, drops off the feer falls.
Astonished Echo tells the vocal Shore
Oppresson's fall and Slavery is more
The dusky myriads crowd the sutry plain,.
And hail that MERCY long invoked in vain.
Victorious Pow'r she bursts their two-fold bands,
And Faith and Freedom spring from Bf7tain's hands.
And thou great of Nature and of Grace,
Who of one blood didst form the human race;
Look down in mercy in thy chosen time,
With equal eye on Afric's FIRING cline:
Disperse her shades of intellectual night
Repeat thy high behest-I.et there be Light
Bring each bcnghted soul, great God, to Thee,
And with thy wide salvation make them free!