The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1868-01-09


THE WEEKLY REGISTER,
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY lsT, 1868.
oo
Last night while musing DER the past,
And on the old year dying fast
And passing to lis tomb;
thought Of years of peace and war,
OF harvest rich, and battle scar;
ofhOpe-and joy-and gloom,
OF tolls and strifes that brought but gain,
OF callOus case ending in pain,
0fnation's saviors bo;rs
Whose mighty works Of heart aud head
Received reward, ere life had sped,
With naught but crown Of thorn.
OF those whose labors met return
BY learning earthly pride to spurn,
Andyetbright halos won;
or him whose pure and honored name
By all is given highest fame;
Our own great Washington.
Could he but see this country now,
And mark the jewels on her brow.
As they in beauty gleam--
Then thought no more, oblivion deep,
Der cSme my soul, in heavy sleep,
To wake again in dream.
A strain of music soft and sweet
Seemed on my heart to pulse and beat
Like harp with magic s!rcng;
While golden censers filled The air
With perfumes richest aud most rare,
AS to and fro they swung.
With solem awe raised my eyes,
But yelled with clouds of brightest skies,
Isaw naught but the g.owi
oflambient ligh on pearly hight,
Far stretching out ou left and right
A'ound, aboYe, below.
Before ME then n being stood
More glorious Than i u flesh aud blood,
God like, and yet qs man.
know he looked me through and through,
Aud shamed l feel that he should view
And see me as l am.
"Dost thol know meH' shoald knecl
In the abasement deep feel,
IAN ear.h boFl:sonH
Mylips perlorce their answer bring
From soul but for my shame would sing
"Know thee, oh! Washington
"Tben dqst thou know oh son of earth,
That to the land that gave thee birth
! gave my life AID prayer,
Aud fain would hcsr'from mortal tongue,
How furesythe land who,s premise young
Gaye hopes of Prime most rare
ssiBat ~ qnOtOGaxlsf hslls stss4ss.s
'By brothers wise,l foswlong aud tisht =
Who shed their blood-and dieds
-T6is is the punishment God given
For climl that cried 10 Heaven,
That for dire vengeance cried"
tThat dark, sad curse that cnukored all
And Ger the land spread as apall,
Envy, hatred, and stnfei
Byhcr deep pen aace and tears
Agains, her now no more appears
Upon the scroll Of life"
"Bnt mortal tell ii6 Of the year,
What hath been done within its sphere
That on thy county bears2
Tell me then, that thou dost know
ofihy gtcat mothers weal or woe,
HcrhiumThs ana her cares"
Ia response to this command,
l said, God keep our native land
In the hollow of his hand;
And te zach us through each com ug year
To see aud feel, aud learn how dear,
Should country be to man.
But few and weak our States when young
Have nowto heir proud station sprung,
Acknowledged as the best
ofal the powers in the wide world.
Whose flag has ever been uururled
Torefugc the oppressed,
Who barcl her fair and healthy breast
From sunrise to the farChcst west
To all that chose to come,
And freely offered honest worth,
Whate'er might be their land of birth,
An altar, frcside, home,
They came from land of King aud Lord,
They came from famine, fled from sword,
Aud trod on freedoms ground
They fought with nature, conquered wilds,
And plenty on their efforts smiled6
A Canaan they had found.
And thus her bounds grew wid6 Apace,
And peoplcd by mighty race,
That grew in strength and mind.
And by great faith and patient thought,