The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-20
THE MECKLEyDERG CELEBRATION.
THE CENTENNIAL POEM.


Tue following poem. written for the "centenl
Anniversary OF the Mecglenourg Declaration
Independence" VIII be read ~ ia author,
Rev. !. q. Martin, OF Georgia.
A hundred years have passed away
Since in the lovely month OF Nay,
Upon the spot where now We stand.
Tnere met bold, devoted band
Df patriots. moved with high resolve
rhe CALLING union 10 dissolve
mat bound them nrst TO Engiand's might
And cursed the land with whitening blight
In common with their brethren. they
We're oowsd beneath oppression's away.
with burning love Of country nred,
WITH zeal for Liberty inspired.
Their INDEPENDENCE they declared,
And with heroic courage dared
70 brave the power the wrath and nats
Of that imperial, lordly state.
raey dung their banner to the orseSc.
Dened the mistress OF the seaA,
Cast OF the yoke OF tyranny,
And In the name OF liberty
Proclaimed that they OF right should DO
A sovereign Commonwealth and frea.
NO empty boast VAS this and vain;
re cause OF Freedom to maintain.
10 triumph In the coming strife
TAey pledged their FORTUNE. HONOR. LIFE
Great acti heroic ana sublime,
Distinguished In the course OF tim&
noble scene, q bright event,
rnat olazed across the Continent
And threw It's radiant beams aiar,
Precursor OF approaching war,
When England, reused TO ire, should pour
Her armies on this western shore,
and seek, IKE lion, TO devour
Foes hostile 10 her rule aud power.
Already mad the sword been drawn
on Concord's green and grassy lawns
Already were the verdant plains
or Lexington believed with stains
or crimson gore, BY martyrs she'd
VINO for the sake OF freedom bled;
And soon rom Bunker Hill the sound
or battle should be echoed round.
Announcing 70 Q gazing world,
The Ole was cast the nag unfurled
That should conduct to victory
The valiant sons OF liberty.
VINO from the British Crown should wress
This splendid empire OF the west
Deep canetn unto deep. ana now,
From Southern lips went forth . vow,
Responsive TO the Northern CRY,
To live as freemen or TO die.
virginia, lofty and sedate,
Her sons assembled for debate.
Displayed Q spirit brave and free,
A hatred OF all tyranny.
Her Henry, with his tongue OF are,
And words that srIll our souls inspire.
With flashing eye and towering form,
Az one that guides and rules the storm,
rne native rights OF man proclaimed,
with burning eioquence exclaimed,
While listeners heard, with bated breath
ITO me give liberty or death I"
The Caronnss were aname.
with ardor 10 the conflict came.
And joined their sister colonies
In struggling for their lberrieA
But none ~ Jet had gone 30 far,
Although involved IN open var.
me great, the mighty deed co dare
And ISpEPENDEscE TO DEcr.kEx
THIS jealous province LED the way,
An act We celebrate to-day.
Her sons arose against the Crown,
Assembled in this rising town
honor OF the on cen 50 named,
And here, IN council. they proclaimed
Their colony Sovereign State,
From England free and separsts.
BY them this noble deed was don6
They boldly crossed the Rubicon,
Rebelled against the British throne
Set mp q standard OF their own,
New laws and institutions made.
And rulers OF their choice obsyed
This was the civic gun nrst nred,
It's sound all patriot hearts inspired.
And swiftly borne BY winds along
IL moved the weak and made them strsog.
Il fell with terror on the ear
Df royal piacemen. far and near.
Tney saw ine DARK and threatening cloud
rhey heard the distant thunder loud,
Ana. trembling az the sound and sight
rney refuge sought In nasty nighk
rae udings passed beyond the sea,
me patriot CRY or liberty
Resounded through the British islss,
Exciting angry frowus or smile1.
Its rolling ecnoes died away
Where monarcns ruled with iron sway.
throughout tne western Hemisphere
Re-ecaoed what was acted here.
me glorious news Of This event
Electrified the Continent
& reached me men In CONGRESS met
VINO. nred ~ this example SET
AND guided ~ rs brilliant hight
Arose N purpose % the heignt
d. the occasion great. sublime,
Unequaned IN Gil previous time,
And with united voice De reed
Tne colonies from England reed,
no longer bound BY legal band
Unto the tyrant mother lana,
Bat hsncefortn they or right should -
STATES Independent. sovereign, reel
fnis was tne great, the GROWING fact
The grand, sublime. heroic act
Tnat broke the chains of slavery,
Endowed onr land with liberty.
And gave INTO the nation birth
Among the kingdoms OF tue earth.
Bot while those giants We applaud
with grateful. joyful p2zns laud
The names or Franklin. JEFFERSON.
Df Hancock. Adams. witherspoon,
And all who signes that famous scroll
And formed the brigai. immortal ron
W patriots, heroes. statesmen. saqes,
Removed through ali toe future ages,
Les ~ with gratitude repay
Taeir prototypes o. earlier day.
the small but patriotic band
Who 1rst or all throughout the land
A formal declaration framed
And 70 their fellow men proclaimed
Taer resolution to ne free
~nateer the ton. the cost might Be.