West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-05-09
THE VOW OF WASHINGTON
Poem by John G. Whittier Read at
the Great Centennial Celebration.

Poem by John q. Whittier Read at
the Great Centennial Celebration.
The reading OF the following poem by John
q. Whittier formed part OF the Centennial
exercises at the Sub Treasury in New York.
MIR. Whittier's age and infirmities prevented
him from being present to read his poem in
person:
Tho sword was sheathed In April's sun
Lay green the fields 10y Freedom won;
And severed sections, weary of debates,
Joined hands at last and wcro United States.
q City sitting by the Sea-
How proud tho day that dawned ON thee,
When the new era, long desired, began,
And, in its need, the hour had found the mani
Ono thought the cannon saivos spoke;
The resonant hell towers vibrant stroke,
The voiceful streets, the plaudid-echoing
halls,
And prayer and hymn borne hcavcnwardi
from ST. Paursl
How felt the land IN every part
The strong throb OF Nations heart
As it's great leader gave, with rovcrent awe,
His pledge 10 Union, Liberty, and Law
That plodgo the heavens above him heard,
That vow the sleep of centuries stirred;
IN worldwide wonder listening peoples bent
Their gaze ON Freedoms great experiment.
Could Il succecdp or honor sold
And hopes deceived all history told
Above the wrecks that strewcd the mournful
past,
Was the long dream of ages true at lastp
Thank Godl the peoples choice was just,
The ono man equal TO his trust,
Wise beyond lore, and without weakness
Calm IN the strength OF fawless rcctitudci
His rule of Justice, order, peace,
Made possible tho worlds release;
Taught prince and serf that power is but !
trust
And rule, alone, which serves tho ruled, is,
just;
That Freedom gcnorous Is, but strong
In hate of fraud and selfish wrong,
Pretensc that turns her holy truths 20 lies,
And lawleSs license masking in her guisc.
Land OF his lovel with one glad voice
Let thy great sisterhood rejoico;
A centurys suns o'or thee have risen and set,
And, God be praised, wo are one Nation yet.
And still, we trust, the years Co be
Shall provo his hope was destiny,
Leaving our flag with all it's added stars
Unrent by factions and unstained by wars !
Iol where with patient toll he nursed
And trained the now-set plant at first,
rho widening branches OF a stately tree
stretch from the sunrise TO the sunset sea.
And in its broad and sheltering shade
Sitting with none To mako afraid,
Were we now silent, through each mighty
limb
The wings OF heaven would sing the praise of I
him.
Our first and bcsal-his ashes lie
Beneath his own Virginia sky
Forgive, forget, q true and just and brave,
The storm that swept above thy sacred gravel
For, ever In the awful strife
And dark hours OF the Nations life
Through the fierce tumult pierced his warn
ing word,
Their fathers voice his erring children heardi
| The change for which he prayed and sought
In that sharp agong was wrought
| so partial interest draws its allen line
| Twixt North and South, the cypress and tho
pine.
Ono people now, nii doubt beyond,
His name shall be our Unior-bond
We lift our hands 10 heaven. and here and
now
fake on our lips the old centennial yow
| For rule and trust must need be ours;
Chooscr and chosen both arc powers
| equal i'm service rs i'm rights: the claim
| " Duty rests on each and all tho same.
| Then LEI the sovereign millions. where
| Our banner fonts in sun and air.
| From the warm palm-lands 60 Alaslfa's cold,
! Repeat with rs the pledge n century old
| OAK KNOLL, Danvcrs Mass.