Daily Republican., 1879-06-14
BY VIM. II. CLARK.

AS stands the oak with < ant branches spread,
Defiantly amid the tempest's shock,
Raising, though thunder scarr'd Its hoary
head,
As If the spirit of the storm t'would mock
So stands the vetran ofa hupdred fields,
Victor, unscath'd amid the conflict dire
Though years decline, the cOnquerofs sworn
And wins thee the crown, to which his hopes as.
pire. .--.
The flight o. time has rolled the years around
iii tour-score years are iuliy huhpefou
And still with vigorous health his days are
crowned, ,,
While hoaTy hairs adorn his bonored brow
Now pause we all, as II in mid career
To celebrate our Iather's birth, To-day
While greetings come to him from iar anu
near;
For 10 his elghtieth year has passed away.
His heart and life while in the days Of youth,
Were giv'n to Him whose wisdom all Things
And by the Spirit led to know the truth,
He on Gods altar all his being laid.
And now no, careless OF the lapse of time,
Nor yet DISTRESSED with anxious boding
fears,
But rrandly strong in conscious faith subllme,
He stan erccy upon the summit OF the
years.
And looking down upon. tho days gone by,
Beho,ds with grateful heart the dangers
past; -
While iaith dlscerns that glorious home on
Reserved for him, when triumph comes at
last.
In church or in the busy marts of trade,
All steadfast for the right he bravcly stooh'
Wail plna sed mems smiles to win, or undlS-
may'd
Their irowns to bear, in firm but patent
mood.
What changes vast the passing years have
wrought! ..,..
What mighty strides have art ana sciehce
In eighty years what schemes have come to
naught!
What wisdom or what folly neen displayed
No floating palace then our rivers gracea;
No mammoth steamer rlowed the polster-
Gus main;
No gas the iicl clring candle had displaced
Nor O er the land had rushed the lightning
train.
The Journey, n W Of hours, was then OF Gays;
AS eighty years ago the lumb'ring coach
Went slowly jogging DER the rough high"nss w
With none to murmdr, or hs speeu '0-
proach.
Nc telcrraphlc tldings from afar,
Came fresh to men with every morning
meal;
The news OF good or Ill, Of peace or war,
Or whatsoever concerns the general Wea'.
From ancient Britain's firmly anchored 'sle,
Our father came full sixty years aga;
To where the distant sunset elories smile.
And ylides the Delaware's ever ceaselss
flow.
For three-score years upon C0lumbia's soil,
He lived and Dyed, AM ever noDiy soush''
By earnest industry and patient toll.
A name and place to WIN, nor suo'e "f
naught.
And here where freedoms starry banner fair,
Flung ou, its ample folds DER land a'd sea
Resolved with freedoms sons his lot to share,
And trust in God, If good or i'll 1t be.
When foul rebellion raised its hydra head,
Ana in the dust the 4tion's STANDARD trai :
'td.
His wisdom Oft IN prudent counsel led.
TIL slavery and revolt together tailed.
The noble church lie helped to found still
stands;
And reverend crowds within It's portals meet;
While round its tars 10! the gathering
bands,
Stand up in great array, the men of Whar,
ton street.
And now the setting sun throws golden
beams
OF holy radiance down life's steep decline
And evening clouds arc tinged with light
that CLEANS
Celestial beauty in its rays divine.
! What though the coming night draws on
apacc,
| The star OF Hope shines sweetly throsgh
the gloon,
| And all is bright with more than earthly
grace.
As faith loo.Ss toward, and far beyond the
| tomb.
The childfeus children come with JOY to lay
Their homage at their honored grandsare's
! feet;
For he is eighty years OF age today.
The full four score Is rounded up complete
NAV Providence his useful life proong,
Till the ful hundred run their ample round;
Translate him then to join the augels' song
And with the ransomed from the earth be
crown'd.