Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-02-07
Written for the Green Mountain Freeman.
Liberty.

y
Fair Goddess of Liberty though eloquence
has oft sounded forth thy name in thrilling
tones OF praise, yet wilt thou bear ma feeble
expressions of enthusiasm and love, who, by
thy God-given means, enjoys now that peace
which our foretathers strugg led so bravey to
obtain; whose memory should remain forever
sacred, deep in our hearts whose principles
we should ever strive to instil into the minds
of the youthful ones springing up around us,
that thry may glory in the memory of those
who gained for them this priceless treasure
they enjoy, which ranks them far above other
nations Of the globe; and may they cherish it
fondly, even till the Death-Angel shall chill
the warm life-current that flows in loyalty to
thee. But while the true-heartod are echoing
forth thy glories ia thunder-tones, which
should rally around thy altar every member
of Americas free family, yet there are some
1--WE blush in secret shame for Them who, now
that they are strong, have turned their arms
against that love which protected them in
their weakness; even against thee, fair Lib
erty; and are now striving to sully this bright
land to add dark blot to her hitherto fair
fame, by the blighting, detesed curse of
Slavery. Have they forgotten those heroes
-" the pride of the worlds brightest story"
who struggled on, not for themselves, but for
us, giving their hearts best blood that we
might be freedom; who fought Oh, even till
hope grew faint, and life expired? And can
they our forget, how, when all chance Of
Freedom seemed to fade, great Washington
rose in all his grandeur, and heading those
legions Of Liberty, conferred on their oppo-
nents dishonored graves in the soil which they
invaded ? Ii their hearts do forget that glo-
rious era, his name should be taIisman that
would bring back their wandering thoughts to
the shrine of Freedom, and bind them more
firmly to the cause.
Millions, then, who were slunbering on in
midnight darkness, awoke in wonder to sec
our bright land sprnging forth in glory
like the sun from behind dark clouds. Peace
has since crowned it, like diadem while
In other portions of the earth, kingdoms have
reeled, and war has made sad devastation
Yes our land has been bright beacon-ligh
to nations cropping in Ignorance and thest
poor beDghted ones, made like us, after God
own image, who were bowed meath the gall
ing yoke of Slavery, have felt the influence o
our light, shining from alar; it has entere,
and warmed their hearts, awakened there tn
ennobling thought that they might be equa
with their fclow-men; they have started wit
the one idea of Liberty in their hearts, thrill
ing their inmost souls, and guided by GU
light they have landed on these shores; W
have received many a weary one with ope
arms, and here they have enjoyed that free
dom and peace, which before they believe
existed not this side of the grave.
Though we have never suffered actual tyl
amy we can imagine little of the feeling
of others. How we murmur at Fate's deere
when for short time we are confined to tn
limits OF sick room. With what new-bor
happiness do we again roam the free will
wood, never before SO pricing our liberty. !
Gagged songster never MARBLES with the free, III
fettered strain which the wild bird trills fort
so sweetly. Even the timid flower that epe
its petals to the free air of morn, would nc
bloom and thrive if transferred from its ma
tive element. And when man, noble MAI
the mightiest of Gods vast creation-whe
he is spurned-lashed into obedience-mad
to kneel and pay homage to anothers frow
no more man than himself-what wondC
if, while suffering all this--deprived of a
: those high privileges which he was placed hel
rightfully to enjoy-that his faculties becom
diminished--his spirits broken-and Iii
. seeming to him dark void? Oh, how Ion
shall it continues How long, ye sons of Lii