Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-16

Yet not alone from earth and sky
Does heritage upon you lie.
In record OF these hundred years
Yet other legacy appears
The men who sought this virgin soil
And woOed her patiently with toll,
Were bold men. strong TO 10 and dare.
For brayely hai they followed where
The steps OF heroes nohly lei,
And yaliautly hAd fought and bied
At Remington, At Bunker liiil,
Al SaratOga-namc- which thrill
Each heart In patriot bosom still.
With WA-hin gtOn at Dorchester,
On many another field they were,
In the long conflict that was fought
when freedom at such price was bought,
That even now, strongly as then,
Mans pulses stir within him when
The tale OF battle we repeat.
Recount our triumph or defeat
Still woman's eyes grow dim and glow
At record OF the blood tracked snow
OF Valley Forge. The scarlet stain
Awakens yet Sigh OF pain.
Still high eXultant thoughts arise
At story OF brave sacrifice,
OF martial deeds, of pruwess bold,
With which our fathers fought to hold
The priceless boon OF liberty,
That chil,iren's children, We might be
Proud England's peers cternslly,
| And well the ready zeal that stirred
| To life In heroes deed and wori
When Sumter fell. and loud there came
1 The call 10 arms la freedoms name,
With love of right and hate OF wrong
| That heritage OF old bestowed
| From loyal men In whom there nowed
| The soldiers blood, was sacred prize
| That still brave men would brayely rise,
I To serve their country In her need,
With feryent faith and daring deed.
| All, generously did Bethel then
| Send proudly forth her gallant men,
| To meet the foe In Southern field,
| To fight, to fall. but neer 10 yield.
| oh, may IL be that as we turn and gaze
| on heaven crowned struggles OF those darkc
| days,
And here assembled, think with reyerent pride
| How brave men fought, how grandly brave me
| died,
We may be new inspired to noble deeds,
| And re awakened 10 our country's needs;
| From loyal hearts fresh vows 70 heaven ascen
And public faith with private virtue blend.
Though called not forth TO martial din and strife
| Yet Is there need of each high purposed life.
| Yield highest tribute 20 our country's brave,
| Guard well her honor that they fought to save
| our hearts vet other memories hold
| Than gallant deeds of warriors bold.
| Not these alone would we relate,
Nor here today commemorate.
| For deep within Us still survives
| The records fair OF other lives.
And tenderly enshrinei there Hes
| IN every breast sweet thoughts that rise
/ In reyereDt homage, htly paid,
| To those who faithfully have played
| On narrow stage their little parts;
| With busy hands and honest hearts
| Have lived plain lives of sturdy toll,
| Held high aloof from stain and soil.
| Though Leisure played not with them OFT,
| And dear delight OF luxuries soft
| They seldom knew, yet with them went,
| As 70 their homely tasks they bent,
| A quiet sense of happiness,
I And sweet content, which waits 10 bless,
| With its own JOY the humblest breast.
| whereon In hallowed calm may rest
| The consciousness OF duty done.
All blessings on them every one,
These faithful lives that here were spent.
Thank God for children they have sent
| To new recruit the w0rn-world force
And vivify It's effete course.
In such as these our strength remains,
The souls that Virtue wisely trains,
| To industry, TO plain desires,
! Nor auenches e'er Ambitions fires;
Breathes chld-like trust In man and Cod,
And points to paths by heroes trod.
To these our country looks with pride;
In these republics hopes abide.
To them no heights are e'er denied,
But worthy, they take place beside
The proudest names the proud world knows,
And richer lustre DER them throws.