The Portland daily press., 1890-07-04
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC:
The Poem and Grafton Delivered at
Yesterdays Meeting.

society Of the Army of the Potomac yester
lay, and the Grafton of Gen. Walker follows
Who shall tell in rhythmic measure
All the story of the war?
What became of untold treasure?
Who shall tell what it was for?
How the conflict, like no other,
Spread affllction far and WIDE;
Brother mady fighting brother,
Fiercely ranged on either side.
Oh, the wicked fatal error
Ofthe rash resort to arms!
Filling every heart with terror
Every day with wars alarms!
Now mind me, when started
On llfe's mission, long ago
Only just from boyhood parted
/ behe!d the signs Of woe.
North and South 1 saw arising,
Plain before my trustful eyes,
Little clouds. not yet surprising,
On the face of tranquil skies.
True, to some, they foretod danger,
Meagre as their forms appeared;
Not so to the passing stranger;
He saw nothing to be feared.
NOT was any early lnetIluS
Thought at that time o impend,
OF these clouds Notwithstanding,
Wheresoe'er their motion tend.
Peace and Plenty held their places,
Smiling on happy landi
All serene their air, like Graces
Crowned with beauty, hand-in-hand.
Strange that at a time so cheering,
should see in vivid dream,
Armies in the skies appearing,
Hostile in degree supreme.
What, asked myself in wonder,
Does this startling vision show?
Is 1t this in doubt ponder
Must we meet a foreign foe?
Seemed no cause for such collision,
All was quiet over sea;
What should aid to decision
In the matter, puzzled me.
But at length, the clouds expanding,
Move in angry aspect near
Dark before each other standing,
Touching patriots hearts with fear.
Look! what means this strange communion?
See! emblazoned on each cloud,
In letters bold, the word DISUNION!
All alarming, fierce, and loud
Hark! what sound is that conspiring,
Rambling, trembling, from afar?
IT'S from guns on Sumter firing!
Tocsin dread of civil war!
Oh! what act of direful madness!
Obi the folly OF the strife!
oh! what cause of deepest sadness!
Who obalI @ oya tba potian,s iiFao
Such was my first exclamation,
Standing near the helm of state;
Whence should come the declaration
That should my distress abatei
ITO arms! to arms!" the cry went forth
From LINC0LN'S proud and lofty post
wake! East, and West, and South and North
Spring. spring to arms, mighty host!
sour flag insulted, bids you come;
1t calls for patriots strongly nerved;
March quickly, cheered by fife and drum,
The UNION, it must be preserved"
AS when the mighty rivers banks
Are swollen by the sudden flood.
The people rushed to fill the ranks,
And in a solid phalanx stood,
They moved at once in grand array,
As line on serried line they came
Their noble Chieftain to obey.
A brief suspense, and then they start
To meet their bold and tflreat'ning foe;
Each man III tlamed 70 do his part
Nor any hardship to forego.
Now, soon is heard the clash of arms,
Afar the lannon's angry roar,
Overwhelming all with wars alarms,
That spread, like fire, from door to door!
Too late the fatal shot was fired
When aimed in hate at Sumter's shield;
Almost alasi all hone expired
When patriots fell on battle field.
Too late too late the war goes on
In blood and carnage-oh, how longl
Until, at last the RIGHT has won
Until defeat o'erwhelms the WRONG.
Peace now resumed her rightful sway;
Those hateful clouds have disappeared;
DISUNION sank with them away,
And UNION her proud ensign reared
Flag of our free, united land.
Float on! float on! Ger sea and strand
We greet the, seen away from home,
In foreign climes, where'er we roam,
With pride and satisfaction pure,
shield and safeguard, strong and sure.
Float on! float on! no longer fear!
All hearts are with thee, far and near.
Float Oh! float on! from shore to shore!
Float on float en-! forevermore!