The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-02-20
--..OLN AT GETTYSBURG.

ABOUT Its hOnOred dead!
The spot where on eventful days
It's heroes fought and bled!
The spot where freedoms spirit spoke
In words sublime and true,
And where her trumpet tone awoke
The old song and the new!
The old song with the newer strain,
To make the first complete,
With melody that lives again
Through victory and defeat!
o! sacred spot! thrice sacred now,
AS years thy record prove!
Before thy shrine all patriots bow.
These shrines all doubts remove!
The patriots heart with ardor CLOVIS,
Remembering proffered lives,
He hears in one strong breeze that blows
Life goes, but love survives
The love that stirs a nations heart,
And bears a nations fame.
Wherever brave deeds have a part
And men such deeds proclaim.
He knows it's thrilling music tells
OF those who fell asleep,
And here found tomb, while muffied bells
A nations birthday keep.
He hears as well the tender moan
That in it's cadence sings,
For those who sit henceforth alone,
Whose muffled bell still rings
He hears the added strain 1t bears
For all who bravely fought
For him who in the silence wears
The scars the battle brought,
Who wears them with hero's might
And honors still the hour
That won nations priceless right,
And proved nations dowerl
He hears ii when it brings the name
That won a martyrs crown,
Our glorious chief, whose stainless fame
His country's best renown!
1t brings the matchless words he said.
Standing above their sod,
In hour whose burning import led
A people nearer God.
It is not to dedicate.
This piece of earth SO dear.
Nor is it ours to consecrate
The deeds men witnessed here;
That has been done by those who died,
On nations alter slain:
They have these hilsides sanctified,
o prove it not in vain!
Great leader true! throughout all time,
The world will hear thy voice,
Because of thee holier cline
Bids liberty rejoice!
Twas fitting you should tell of those
Who wrote in blood their song
And here thy nobler thought disclose
How nations shall be strong!
How brave men shall perpetuate
The freedom bravely won,
Forbid that treason desecrate
What loyal sires begun;
And here this great field today,
In memory of thy BIRTH
Let nations love it's tribute pay
And echo round the earth!
But let our tribute reach the height
The larger manhood saw;
That broad humanity whose light
Was thy diviner law;
That law whose good is absolute,
Whose mandate, strong and pure.
From every i'll can good transmute
And make its change secure.
If thus we find our gifts in thee.
It's vaster strength will live
To prove it's own integrity
In what aim to give;
In sense of duty noby met,
In nature nobly plain,
In love of men sublmely set
In diadems of pain.
In statesman of heroic mould,
His countrys great high priest.
Whose human heart could still enfold
All things. the great, the least;
Who proved to earth that simple trust
Is more than Norman blood.
That he is crowned who be just,
The great must first be good
To love IS ever to ascend;
o let love, like thine,
The nations highest good attend
And with thy spirit shine.
Thus shall our tribute catch from thee
Its worthiest, noblest. best,
And one united country
Thy ife's divine bequest!
o Gettysburg! Thy living dead
Speak still across the years.
And by their voice our hearts are led
Above all passing fears.
But keep, hills! one record true,
And one great captains name!
o then shall all men look to you
For nations deathless fame!
Mary NJ. Adams.
..incolns birthday, Feb. u, 1880