The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-10-26
MISS DICKINSON'S POEM.
Read at banquet Of the Union Ex Prison
crs Of tho War

Re ad ut Banquet Of the Union Ex Prison
crs OF tho War.
The following poem, written by Miss
Susan L. Dickinson, was read at the
banquet of the Union Ex-Prisoners OF
the War association:
Thanks! o brothers. ye who battled
through the great wars stress and
Comrades of so many soldier who laid
down noble life
Bravely on the nations altar, counting
naught too great a price
To DE paid for Right and Justice. on the
mount OF sacrifice.
Yours were lives as freely offered, in the
camp, the trench. the field,
Yours the cry: I'VE turn back homeward
only with or on the shield"
Yours the battle scars; the anguish OF
staryation's awful pain
In the prison-pens where thousands died (;
yet, died not there In vain!
For their blood cried to Heaven, as did
Abers long ago;
And Heaven answered It with Freedom
for the unbroken land we know.
Never more shall Slavery threaten. or In
fratricidal strife,
Lift Its Cain-like hand Of murder to de-
stroy the nations life.
Could the women of your country, those
whose love was on 1t poured,
When the time came for their brothers
steadfastly to grasp the sword.
Sit at home In hopeless weeping. or HIT
folded hands in prayer.
While they wrought not what the Master
plainly marked as women's share?
Wherefore theirs the gifts of mercy
sympathy clear-eyed and strong,
Brains to plan and hands to succor
hearts through grief and love made
strong?
Surely theirs to dedicate them to the SER
vice of the brave
They had blessed and sped in parting,
marching forth their land to save.
How they welcomed Gods revealing in
their souls writ large and clear.
Where heart and hand find work to do,
that work IL woman's sphere!
Twas hers 10 Organize relief such as
earth never yet
Had dreamed of when In dark array Its
warning hosts had me,
Twas hers at home to gather up the
treasures of the land
And use them for its loyal sons with wise
and generous hand
And even TO plough. and SOW the seed, AMI
reap the harvest's yield.
That those she loved should bear the
flag across the battlefield.
the cannon's sound was heard:
Twas hers to walk In hospital, with low
Ing glance and word:
Twas hers to bind the bleeding wound,
to carry food and cheers.
To leave no task of love undone, no hard
est work 10 fear.
o. blessing came to her through all, SO
many life she saved;
So many dying soldiers heart she bore
the boon 1t craved:
SO many a dying soldiers faith she lifted
up on high.
And soothcd so many dying pang with
tenderest ministry.
o, brothers marked by battle scars and
worn from prison-pens,
When ye came back from Southern fields.
DER all the land again
The Nations flag triumphantly way
ing In the light.
The flag OF Union and Of Peace, OF Free
dom and Of Right.
And woman who had ministered while all
her heart-strings bled,
And stayed not work for living ones.
even while she Inouraed her dead:
Twas hers to welcome home again the
heroes OF the war
To whom the Lord of life had said, No,
yet Is service Ger.
Never, we know, in life or death. the
soldier can forget;
And, answering to his loyal words, each
woman's eyes are wet
With tears of proud rejoicing from lifted
hearts that rise
To thank the Lord for all the fruits OF
wars grim sacrifice.
A world looked on. amazed to see the
great Republic stand
Upheld by sons and daughters, one loyal,
faithful band
And, side by side. to scale the heights thu:
God has set before.
Together they will keep the step till Time
shall be no more.
Susan l.. Dickinson.
October q, 1895.