Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1896-01-30
GRADE V-LESSON XII.
LAFA Y ETTE.

GRADE N-LESSON XI.
LAFAYETTE
While we bring our offerings for the
mighty of our own land, shall We not re-
member the chivalrous spirits of other
shores, who shared with them the hour
of weakness and woe? Pile to the clouds
the Majestic column OF glory; let the lips
OF those who can speak well, hallow each
spot where the bones OF your bold repose ;
but forget not those who, with your
bold, went out to battle.
Among those men of noble daring,
there was one, young and gallant
stranger, who left the blushing vine
hills OF his delightful France. The peo-
pie whom he came to succor were not his
people; he knew them only in he melan-
choly story Of their wrongs. He was no
mercenary adventurer, striving for the
spoil of the vanquished; the palace ac
knowledged him for its lord, and the
valley yielded him its increase He was
no nameless man, stalking life for reputa
ton; he ranked among mobiles, and
looked unawed upon kings.
He was no friendless outcast, seeking
for a grave to hide broken heart; he
was girdled by the companions OF his
childhood; his kinsmen were about him;
his wife was before him. Yet from all
these loved ones he turned away. Like a
lofty tree that shakes down its green
glories, to battle with the winter storm,
he flung aside the trappings Of place and
pride to crusade for freedom in freedoms
holy land. He came; but not in the day
OF successful rebellion; not when the
new-risen sun OF independence had burst
the cloud Of time, and careered to its
place in the heavens.
He came when darkness curtained the
hills, and the tempest was abroad in its
anger; when the pillow stood still in the
field OF promise, and briers numbered the
garden Of beauty; when fathers were
dying, and mothers were weeping over
them; when the wife was binding up the
gashed bosom OF her husband, and the
maiden was wiping the deaf h damp from
the brow OF her lover. He came when
the brave began to fear the power Of
man, and the pious to doubt the favor OF
God. 1t was then that this one joined he
ranks of revolted people.
Freedoms little phalanx babe him a
grateful welcome. With them he eourted
the battles rage; with theirs, his arm
was lifted; with theirs, his blood was
shed. Long and doubtful was the con-
fict. AZ length kind heaven smiled on
the good cause, and the beaten invaders
fled. The profane were driven from the
temple OF liberty, and at her pure shrine,
the Pilgrim warrior, with his adored
commander, knelt and worshiped. Leav-
ing there his offering, the incense OF an
interrupted spirit, he at length rose,
and, crowned with benedictions, turned
his happy feet toward his long deserted
home.
After nearly fifty years, that one has
come again. Can mortal tongue tell can
mortal heart feel, the sublimity OF that
coming? Exulting- millions rejoice in
it; and their loud, long, transporting
shout, like the mingling of many winds,
rolls on, undying, to freedoms arthest
mountains. A congregated nation comes
around him. Old men bless him, and
children reverence him. The lovely come
out to look upon him; the learned deck
their halls to greet him; the rulers Of the
land rise up to do him homage.
How his full heart labors! He views
the rusting trophies OF departed days;
he treads the high places where his breth-
rem mouder; he bends before the tomb of
his "father;' his words are tears, the
speech of sad remembrance. But he
looks round upon ransomed land and a
joyous race; he beholds the blessings
these trophies secured, for which these
brethren died, for which that "fsther"
lived and again his words are tears the
eloquence of gratitude and joy.
Spread forth creation like map; bid
earth's dead multitudes revive; and Of all
the pageant splendors that ever glittered
to the sun, when looked his burning eye
on sight like this? or all the myriads
that have come and gone, what cheris he'd
minion ever ruled an hour like this?
Many have struck the redeeming blow
for their own freedom; but who, like this
man, has barred his bosom in the cause of
strangers?
Others have lived in the love of their
own people; but who, like this man, has
drank his sweetest cup Of welcome with
another? Matchless chief! of glory s
immortal tablets there is one for him, for
him alone! Oblivion shall never shroud
its splendor; he everlasting flame of lib
erty shall guard it, that the general ions of
men may repeat the name recorded there,
the beloved name of Lafayette.
Charles Sprague.
GRADE V-LESSON XI.
SIRE RIDING