The Butler weekly times., 1889-05-08
The Vow of Washington


ri JOHN GEEESLEAS sHITTFEk.
fRead in New York, April -, lss., al the Cen
tennis, Celebration of the Inauguration Of
G srs@ Washington a. the first President Of
the Cni.ed staiee.
The sword - g. shesthed; in April's sun
Law green the fields by Freedom Won;
And severed sections. weary Of debates,
Joined hand. at last and were United states
OCity sitting by the Sea
How proud the dsy that dawned on thee.
When the new era long desired began,
And. in its need. the hour had found the man
One thought the cannon salvos spoke;
The resonant bel-tower's vibrant stroke.
The voioeful streets. the plaudi.-eehong halls.
And prayer and hymn borne heayeuWard from
S, Paul's,
How felt the land in every part
The ssrong thr0b of a nations heart,
As its great leader gave, with rererent awe.
He pledge TO Union, Liberty and Law.
That pledge the heavens above him heard.
That vow tie sleep OF centuries stirred;
In world wide wonder the listening people
bent
Their gaze Oh Freedom E great e. pertinent.
Could II succeed Dfhonor sold
And hepes deceived ali history told.
Above the wrecks .1at st,ewed the mourn III
past.
Wss the long dream OF a"es rue at last
Thank God. the Fe"Hie's choice MAS just. /.
The one man equal 10 ti- trust.
Wise beyond lore. ahd without weakness good.
Calm in the strength OF fawless rectitude,
HE rule OF justice. order, peace.
Made possible the world E RELEASE;
Taaght prince and serf that power is but q
trust.
That Freedom generous is, but strong
la hate Of fraud or selfish wrong,
Pretense tha: turns her holy truth to lies,
And iswiess license masking in her gui-e.
Land of his love with one glad voice
Let thy great ssterhood rejoice;
century's suns O'er thee haze rieen and set :,
And. God be T. aised. we a.e one nation yet.
And still. We trust. the years 10 be
Shall prove his hope destiny.
Leaving our flag with all its added stars
Cnrent by faction and unstained by wars!
Lo. where with patient toll he nursed
And trained the new-set plant at Ii st,
The widening branches of stately tree
Stretch from the sunrise TO the sunset sea.
And in its broad snd sheltering shade
Sitting with none 10 make afraid
Where We now silent. through each mighty
limb,
Tue winds OF heaven would sing the praise OF
him.
Our nrs. and best ashes lie
Beneath ais own yirg1nian sky,
Forgive. forget, o true and just and brave,
The storm that swept above thy sacred grave,
For. ever in the awful strife
And dark hours OF the nation IS life
Through the fierce tumult pierced his warning
word,
Their fsthers voice his err ing children heard
The change for which he prayed and sought
In that sharp agony was wrought;
20 partial interest draws it's alien line
,Twi1t North and South the cypress and the
pine,
One people now all doubt beyond
His name shall be eur Union bound:
We lift our hands to heaven. and here and now
Take on our lips the old Centennial vow.
For rule and trust must needs be ours;
Chooser and chosen both are powers
Equal in service - in rights; the claim
OF Duty rests on each all the same.
Then let the severe gn millions where
Oar banner nos.s in sun and sr,
From the warm palm-lsnds to Alaska's cold :,
Repeat with rs the pledge of . century old,
OAK Knoll. Da l,e-s. Mass.