Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-21

Writes once again for ear and eye,
| Names old Excelsior Viking cry
II leadt'
Could we but call the roll
And hear Ii answered, soul by SOUL,
What patriot word, what trumpet tone
Would bless the state each calls his own.
Kent, Fairfield generous hves hke
wrought h9 well for Maine,s high destinies,
And Hubbard, gallant champion he
| or Gods high law OF purity e.
Here Howe learned. never to forget.
| Freedoms immortal alphabet,
To spell in syllables OF lame
The secret of our Nations shame.
Here Paine's far-seeking mind first saw
| The light of equity and law:
| All, Maine has borne her noble ones
| And trained them for the Nations sons.
The Nation shares his garland when
Maine wreathes here pine for Fessenden,
| And with the Nations double crown
The name OF Morrill, shall go down
| Upon our annals. Many a bell
| And many IL school-boy's voice shall tell
| That Maine Coburn,s life doth make
| Immortal for the Nations sake.
| The watching Nation, ay, the world
| Saw Dows white banner-folds uniurled
| The Nation smiled each happy morn
| When Washburns stalwart sons were
born;
And when she tells with hushed stirred
| breath
The story of her menaeed death,
| The saddest tale earth ever knows
{, Wars madness making brethren foes;
Even in the day of peace-delight.
| Our Loveioy. Freedoms martyred knight.
Shall wake her tender tears. With Maine
The Nation mourns brave Berry slain
With many Il hero of the field
| Who died with Honor" on his shield.
With Maine she shares the righteous
power
That triumphed in her darkest hour.
Did mist or cloud the North Star hide
| While Hamlin stood by Lincoln's side?
/
What wonder that our forests wake
| To music, that our echoes break
| In song, when such chorus sweils
| From those who wear Names asphodels.
o tones the land has woven deep
| Into her anthems. hearts that keep
| Tryst with us yet;-grant that once more
! A presence greet us as of yore.
| One face smile as ii used 10 smile
| Upon us, for Il little while.
one hand-Oh, who forgets that grasp
| Meet ours in warm magnetic clasp;
| One ringing voice hold us, until
| Again we feel one heart and will
| Thrilling the heart and will of Maine;
Grant us one golden hour with Blaine.
All friends, the dear familiar dead
| Call us not here to mourn Instead
| Of sobbing requiems in the gloom
| Their voices consecrate this room
With prophecies of noble deeds
| And heroes for the Nations needs,
| Does Maine today lack sons to stand
| Among the goodlest of the land?
| Does Maine sit silent In the dust?
| Does Maine forget the Unions trust?
There is no state however far
| But knows beneath the clear North Star
| Names loyal. serving children are.
| With many an icy tempest blast
| Our fierce Maine winters bind us fast
| with many Sea-fog summer-Spun.
! The South wind woos our fieeting sun.
| What rock our everlasting pines
| Whether the sun of spring-time shines
Or tempests rock their boughs? What
| change
| Shall make their glory dim or strange?
| What blighting month on hearts shall fall
| That find a blessing in them all?
We come to gaze with glad. proul eyes
| Upon this chambers altered guis..
| What purpose did the hands fulfil
| That labored here with cunning skill?
| A message meets us. now, indeed
| That whatsoever runs may read.
| This is its challenge. Souls SO best
| With memories, must not ask for rest"
! Please God this room shall be tho place
| Where meditation, WISDOM grace.
| And valor shall hold god-like re IN,
| Spurning the petty lure of gain,
Scoring the feud of party-strife,
Breathing the larger, fuller life
That braves corruption's taunt ami wrath
Ihat seeks the rugged upward path.
That braves corruptions taunt and wrath
That seeks the rugged upward path,
That sees our beacon-light divine
| The North Star in the darkness saline:
Ihat harkens as the great winds sweep
our pines, and vows the strain 10 keep
| Insullied,--for the wide world knows
AS Maine goes so the Union goes.
Ellen Hamlin Butler