Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-05-21
0ds-&eckIenDurg. May 90. I775.
BY REV. JOSEPH H. MARTIN.


A hundred years have passed away,
Since in the lovely month of May,
Upon the spot where now we stand,
There met brave, determined band
OF patriots, moved with high resolve,
The calling Union to dissolve,
That DOuud them raSt to EuS Tand's might,
And cursed the land with whitening blight.
In common with their brethren they
" ere bowed beneath oppression s sway.
With burning love of country fired,
With zeal for liberty inspired,
Their independence they declared,
And with heroic courage dared
To brave the power, the wrath and hate,
OF that imperial, lOrdly state.
She flung their banner to the breeze,
Dehed the mistress of the seas,
Cast of the yoke of tyranny,
And in the name of liberty,
Proclaimed that they of right should be
A sovereign commonwealth and free.
No empty boast was this and vain
The ciuse Of Freedom to MAINTAIN,
To triumph in the coming strife,
They pledged their fortune, honor, life
Great act! heroic and sublime,
Distinguished in the course of time,
A noble scene, q bright event,
That blaZed across the continent,
And threw its radiant beams afar,
Precursor of approaching war,
When England, reused TO ire, should pour
Her armies on this western shore,
And seek, like lion, To devOur
Foes hostile to her rule and power.
Already had the sword been drawn
On COnCOrd'S green and grassy lawn.
Already were the VeTdant plains
OF Lexington bedeWed with stains
OF crimson gore, by martyrs shed,
Who for the sake OF Freedom bled.
And soon from Bunker Hill the sound
Of battle should be echoed round,
Announcing to gazing world,
The die was cast, the flag unturled,
That should conduct to victory
The valiant sons of Liberty,
Who from the British crown should wrest
rhis splendid empire of the west.
Deep calleth unto deep, and 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 spirit brave and free,
A hatred OF all tyranny.
Her Henry, with his tongue of fire,
And words that still our souls inspire,
With flashing eve and towering form,
AS one that guides and rules the storm,
The native rights of man proclaimed,
With burning elOquence exclaimed,
While listeners heard, with bated breath,
ITO me give Liberty or Death!''
The CarOlinaS were atlame,
With ardOr to the conflict came,
And Joined UE eIT sister colonies
In struggling for their liberties.
But none as yet had gone so far,
Although engaged in open war,
The great, the mighty deed to dare,
And IYDEPENDENCE TO DECLARE.
This jealous province led the way,
An act we celebrate to-day.
Her sons arose against the crown,
Assembled in this rising town,
IluStriOus now, and widely famed,
Ana mere IN council IlGy proc Ia1lne0
Their colony a sovereign State,
From England free and separate.
By them this noble deed was done,
They boldly crossed the RubicOn,
RebelIed against the British throne,
Set up a standard of their own,
New laws and institutions made,
And rulers of their choice Obey6d.
This was the civic gun first fired,
Its sound all patriot hearts inspired,
And swiftly borne by winds along,
1t nerved the weak and made them strong
IL fell with terror the
OF royal placemen, far and near.
They'saW tue dark and threatening cloud,
They heard the distant thunder loud,
And, trembling at the sound and sight,
They refuge sought in haSty flight.
The ttdings passed beyond the sea,
The patriot cry of liberty
ResOunded through the British isles,
Exciting angry fTOwns or smiles.
It's rolling echoes died away,
Where mOnarchs ruled with iron SWAY
Throughout the western hemisphere
Re-eChOed what was acted here.
The glorious news of this event
Electrified the continent.
1t reached the men in congress met.
Who, fired by this example ct,
AnG guided by its brilliant light,
Arose in purpose to the hight
OF the occasion great, sublime,
Unequalet in all TTevlOus time,
And with united voice decreed
The colonies from England freed,
No longer bound by legal band
Unto the tyrant mother land,
But henCeIOrth they of right sh 0uId be
stat independent, severe ign, free.
This was the great, the crowning fact,
I he grand, sublime, heroic act
That broke the chains of slavery,
Endowed our land with liberty,
And gave unto the nation birth
Among the Kingdoms OF the earth.
Bat while those giaDts we applaud,
With CRATE, joyful peans laud
The names of Franklin, Jefferson,
Of Hancock, Adams, " itherSpOOn,
And ali who signed that famous scroll,
And formed the bright, INN Ortal roll
OF patriots, heroes, statesmen, sages,
Renowned through all the coming ages,
Let US with gratitude repay
Their prototypes OF earlier day,
The small but patriotic band,
Who first of all throughout the land,
A formal Declaration framei,
And to their fellow men proclaimed
Their resolution to be free,
Whate'er the toll, the cost might be-
They well tOresaw the consequence
That this bold act would need defense
That many years might come and 90
That streams OF rebel blood might ffow.
Ere England should her grasp release
And they should Freedom win. and Deaca
| The deed was done, a pledge they gave
becoming patriots true and brave
That closely linked, with hooks of steel
Z me lie or death, come woe or veal
| They would together stand or fall
AND on the issue hazard all.
Poets and bards! this deed sublime
EehOunu IN every land aud cline,
Let orators the act proclaim,