The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1898-09-02

1
glory OF the grand old flag which TIN
carried forth to battle and brougl
back crowned with victory and ad,
ed splendor.
TO RICHMOND PEARSON HOBsON.
| (sAiLoR AxD BRRo)
Son of the Sou tn! the land of your bi, tn
| Is proud Of her hero to-day;
As proud as she was in the days that are gone,
OF her heroes who wore the gray!
And dauutless one! as the years roll on,
And the Present is merged in tho Past
History will guard with a jealous care,
| Your name and your fame to the asti
But not alone will your name be held
Fol the future praiseful view,
For side by size with your own will stand
The names of your fearless crew
This countrys flag claims many brave deeds
| Performed by its heroes of old,
But of all thus wrought there was never one
| More bravely done or b1ld.
From North to South and East to West
OF this grand Republics sway
| In the inge.nook Of million homes
The story is told today;
The old the young, the rich, the poor
All classes Of this land
Have only words Of praise for you.
And your devoted band.
The SroRY OF THE FUTURR.
Forward they stepped wheu tho call was made.
win you do and dare this dee IL
Proud of the f,ith in them bestowed,
True to their conntry's creed,
Whilst those on the watching ships without
With trembling hold their breath,
Forth went they with never fear
Into the jaws Of death.
What cared they though, just beyond,
Old MORO showed his teeth;
What cared they though bis guns fierce hail
Their onward way should greeti
Theirs was to do the deed to be done,
Whatever Of fato befel-
Back once more with their shipmates brave
Or man gled by shot and shell!
Only the swash Of the restless sea
Grooming iii monotone,
On the deep hushed calm Of that early morn
To that silent crew was borne;
Ouly the watching stars looked down
From heaven q tranquil sky;
As those daring men went on their way
To do that deed or die.
But soon the nights dark calm was rent;
Red flames lit up the sky;
Old Norro's watchdogs spoke indeed,
And shells went hurling by.
Still on her course the doomed ship Stood
The storm Of steel still rainedi,
Never halt or swervc made she
Til the chosen spot was gained.
Then loud and clear above the crash
OF roaring gun aud shell,
Tho clarion tones Of their leader bold
On the ears Of hrs comrades fell:
Quick to your axcs--.forward there!
Stand by to cut away,
Wen leave the Dons an undreamed Of prize
In SantiagoS Bay!"
Yet scarce to the raft had the heroes sprung,
When the listening hills around
Shook with that earthquakes mighty shock
when the Merrimac went down!
Such is the story that will be told
OF those heroes of the sea.
BY the gray haired sire, at his 6rcside
To his grandson on his knee.
Render them oil the praise that is due
For gallant act well done;
Twine them wreath Of Immortclles
For the glory they have won.
Write On the undying scrolls Of fame
For tho ages yet To read;
.Honored BY ALI Condemned by mono.
Theirs be nations need"
And We who live in this year of grace
Are proud Of the name We bear
Proud Of our glorious Stars and Stripes
Unfurled to the worlds bright glarei
Proud Of Dewey Sampson. Schlcy,
Shafter, Wheeler Lee,
Miles and Merritt one
Of our heroes on land and sea.
But while we rejoice over victories won,
Whilst our shouts rend the trembling mir.
We should not forget those iesoats homes,
Or tho Grape on "thc vacant chair
God rest the souls Of the noble dead
Doomed on the field to die;
Let nemory's tcnderest tears bedew
Tho graves wherein they lie.
And on those ysarnibg nother-hcarts.
Who mourn their loved ones there.
May God pour down His balm Of peace
And make them strosg 70 bear
The wordless grief--the nsmelsss pain'
The tears which of must dow,
A. each recurring day shall dawn
which saw their cons laid low.
ca. rlsd Aesannas an the void
Thoss aching hearts nsw fseh
WIN times swim nisht ssresass sfins'
Ard future jcy rsvsali
Yet of viii fspey csdurs up
The Sssm-thossh desd--still near
nd on tho loved and eherishsd voice
Tho mother heart will hear.
Il. ANDREA DrMlTRY.
Round Island. Miss. Aug. -. isee.
.a..
District DEPUTY Grand Master Men