Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1895-07-12
THE PROCLAMATION.

When it pealed forth in its richness
Spoke not liberty to all.
While the wales rang with gladness.
The Negroes heart it did not cheer,
Sounding loud in Liberty's cradle,
Fell like mockery on his ear.
For that solemn Declare tion
4 Signed by hands that now are cold,
Brought not freedom for his body;
Hecould still be bought and sold.
Though it read, "all men are equal,
By one God created free,''
Seemed to disregard the Negro,
Still chattle must he be.
Mingling with the hum of commerce
Could be heard the clanking chain,
Often seen gsssS @a tfRggzd IiRg d26ps f 81 rain
For that unjust institution,
Binding men to pain ani toll,
| Planted by the hand of tyrants,
IElWas deep rooted in the soil
This, Hike every growing evil,
Once confined to southern grounds
With a greed for more possessions,
Threatened to o'erreach it's bounds.
Long had scenes of mart and slave pen
Been portrayed before Gods throne,
And the sothern winds had waited
Upward every sigh and groan
Slowly heavenly wrath was kindlei,
Till the nations doom was sealed,
And the price of human slavery
] Must be paid on battlefield.
Soon the heat of raging battle
Parched the ground and left it bare.
| Flowed the brimson blood of so diers,
Groans of dying wrent the air.
Thunders loud of gun and cannon,
Lurid fash, and clouds of smoke,
On the southern plains, in valley,
Of disasters plainly spoke.
God had placed the noble Lincoln,
With his hand stretched forth to save
At the head of this vast army,
Liberty IS flag DER which to wave.
How he pleaded with those people,
Asking them to free the slave,
Even offering compensation
That he might the Enlon save.
But the clouds grew dark and darker,
Faded fast seemed every ray.
Hope most died within his bosom,
Only one card left to play.
When the south declined his offer,
Faithful he unto his vow,
Plainly saw through all this darkness
He must still to Gods will bow
That from out the smoke of battle
Freed must soon arise Uhe slave,
Lift the flag and help it wave
For necessity demanded
Every slave he must make free,
Since the safety of the Union
In this act did seem to be.
And believing God intended
Men should free and equal be.
Issued forth his proclamation,
Declared the bondmen to be free.
All the states, and even portions
Rebellious which were known to be,
On the first day of the new year
Must behold their slaves set free.
When the bells within the beltries
Tolted the dying of the year
Slowly died that institution,
Never more to take root here.
Emancipation Proclamation,
Twas the key unlocked the door,
Broke the shackles from the bondmen,
Made them free forever more;
Bade four million helpless beings
From servile posture rise,
And the governmental powers
Them maintain and recognize.
Twas Godlike act, the string
OF the shacKles from the slave,
Twas happy day in heaven
When he thus, that freedom gave
'ris monument eternal,
To the memory Of his name,
Echoing down the future ages,
Men will hear of Lincoln's ia ms.
For that proclamation issued.
Was a rainbow in the sky.
Twas promise bright of freedom
God had heard the bondmen's cry.
Through this radiant bow OF beauty
\ Freedom to the slave did come;
How a halo crowns his forehead,
Golden rays of Liberty's sun.
Reared upon the field of ashes,
Liberty's Temple, stately, grand,
Dwells therein, the slave unfettered.
BY emancipation's hand;
Clad his body now in purple,
Liberty royal robe so fare,
And instead of iron bracelets.
Jewels bright of Liberty wear.
And to-day eight million people, a
Members of that once cursed race,
Ever loyal to this country.
That long held them in disgrace,
Sing that nation al song with fevor,
Sing My Country lis of Thee.'
Slaves no longer but as freemen,
Sweet land, yes, OF Liberty.
And our hearts swell with gladneSs,
As we try to sing the praise,
Of the great Emancipator,
Liberator of the slaves.
We can tell no sweeter story