The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-03-11
THE PEOPLES POETS.
Their Touching Poems Appeal
to Human Sympathy.

The songs the people love are the
songs that endure. They have vitality
that is foreign to the productions OF
great minds. Almost any one who is
human passions is familiar with the
tunes aud words of "Annie Laurie"
"Garryowen," "The Girl Left Behind
Me-" "Home, Sweet Home" "Old Hun
dred," and SO on. The bearer may not
know the names of :he authors, although
the melody thrills his very soul, yet if
he is of literary preteutions and is called
on for verdict regarding poets and
poetry it is quite probable that he would
overlook these and familiar productions
and award pre- eminence as versified to
that he has not read either Paradise
LOST or Inferno" and would get very
weary if he tackled either of these
acknowledged masterpieces.
1t may be as we'll to assert right here
that this busy, bustling generation OF
which we are a part wants its poetry to
appeal not SO much to critical intellects
as to hearts that throb in consonance
with the woes, the JOYS, the aspirations
and the honest triumphs of fellow strug-
glers in the daily toll to win bread and
to make the world better worth living in.
If the singer can send out lines that
live, he may not be remembered, but
his words will remain the heritage and
inspiration of the common people. That,
fancy, will be the case with DR.. s. Fill
more Bennett, who now resides at Rich :,
mond, Ill. The name probably is fami-
liar to few. yet he is the author of song
that has been heard in all lands of this
round globe. Years ago, at Elkhorn,
Wis, he wrote "The Sweet By and By, !"
and although the words are we'll known
to most readers it is not inappropriate to
bring them in closer touch with these
glorious verses of hope and aspiration:
There's land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar,
For the Father waits over the way
r,Prepare US a dwelling place there.
In the sweeuSST and by
We shall meet on t...-. 49, 49, "titul shore
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
We shall sing on that beautiful shore.
The melodious songs of the blest,
And our spirits shall sorrow no more
Not sigh for the blessing of rest.
To our Bountiiul Father above
We will offer the tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of his love
And the blessings that hallow our days. (
A more voluminous writer than DR..
Bennett is the we'll known Will Carle-
ton, whose reputation was made when
he published those two pathetic poems
of country life, "OYer the Hills to the
Poor House" and Betsy and Are Out"
He has grown well to do of late and
somewhat neglectful of his wizard pen,
but not long ago the occasion and the
theme brought him up to his standard.
He went to Haverhill, Mass, attended
the Whittier memorial services and read
long poem, from which the following
extracts, that possess particular metrical
beauty as we'll as heart sentiment, are
| taken:
| Sing, Merrimac; lit thy sweet voice above
| All other streams; thou vast his river love.
Through thy green valleys crept the unclad! feet
That soon should walk fames palace bordered
street;
| Upon thy banks first flashed the dreams in view
| That frightened all the world in coming true;
He loved the gallant words and deeds to praise
| OF thy advance guard of colonial days;
He loved upon iame's canvas high to lift
Thy brilliant present, with its scenes of thrift;
| He strove to make thy future doubly sure
With precepts, which like diamonds, will endure
His spirits linger here
| His gallantry watched kindly on her way
The humble maid that tossed the fragrant hay;
His pity sought the fallen conquered brave,
| And left its tears upon an Indian grave;
With flowers Of justice and OF love he strewed
The wtchs child by zealotry pursued;
| Even the soul in endless darkness thrown
| And pity from his muse; there was no moan
Escaped his eager ear!