Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-12-17

this town to spend the last fourth OF Jul
that ever expect 10 see. lhave come l.
spend it on the hal,wed spot where whe
was of your ago, fought for country.
have come to take last farewell Of Bun
kcr Hill"
"You walk as if you were very tired,m,
old friend"
am tired, have walked three o
four mics morning, and am very wea
ry."
A weary way! YET once again
My footprint marks this holy soil;
This-this, the consecrated plain,
Where patriot hands by painful toll
Did Freedoms earliest altar rear
Twas here our unframed army stood,
With lip compressed and brow severe,
When Freedoms sun uprose in blood!
The hand of time hath marked my brow,
And | have felt the icy chill
OF age upon my heart! but now
My pulses leap with wilder thrill!
Now | can fell as then felt,
And all saw again can see
And kneeling here as then knelt,
And all that then prayed to be!
Strange visions come on rushing wing,
TO bear me TO the battle back,
And can see the war-horse spring
Forward again, as when his track
Was marked with blood; and though my
No sound can catch that speaks of strife
NV scattered comrades, gathered here,
Seem round end near me as N life
Twas like a glorious vision seen
Through the dim vista of dream,
And thought or hope Of freedom tlen,
Came like the ignis iatuus CLEAN;
Now thror i the clouds OF war 1t shone
Lika u.-at star-beam seen atar;
Then--c.o-ed the cIoud--lhe vision gone
Defeat and death had hid the star
The cloud hath passed-the glorious sun
Of Freedom lights our pleasant homes!
To say the work was noby done,
The pea!ing shout of triumph comes
Down from our mountains craggy sides
Up from each green and quiet vale!
O long as ocean rolls its tides,
May freedoms tongue repeat the tale!
Lead forth your children to the field
Tell them where flowed the patriot 8
blood;
Show where the hostile squadrous wheel
Where Freedoms little phalanx stood;
Bid them with bright perennial flowers,
To deck the martyred patriots grave;
And let your monumental towers
First greet the eye from Ger the wave.
Tell them our bright example, caught
BY countless thousands DER the main,
The tyrant's vassal there hath taught,
In bitterness to gnaw hIs chain
And that the day is fastening on,
When Freedoms flag, here first unfurl-
ed,
Shall wave above earth's fallen thrones,
And its bright stars shall light the
world!
Tell them what earnest prayers were said 4,
For father, brother, lover cherished;
Tell them what bitter tears were shed
Upon the graves of those who persisted;
That all in vain those anxious fears,
If they forget the work we wrought;
That ALI vain those bitter tears,
If they keep not the prize thus wrought.
Bid Posey, with words of fire,
The Painters art, the Sculptor's stone,
And Music's lfe-nspiring Tyre,
Tell how the glorious prize was won!
And when about the cheerful hearth
The wonted faces all have come,
Tell them the proudest name on earth;
A PATRIoT-strikes all titles dumb.
Thus shall each youthful heart be made
A shrine of Freedom, and the fame
Here first upon her altar laid,
Be nourlshed by the patriots fame.
Thus nourished. every cottage home,
And every freeman's heart shall be
A temple where the oppressed may come
To light the orch If Liberty
rARLY HlSTO2Y OF ENG f'SH
LAW TFh,S