The Republican journal., 1907-12-19
A THANKSGIVING POEM.
Holman F. Day Sends Greetings to Maine
Folks in the West

Holman l. 10y SCuuS 0leCliuSS " MdIHc
Folks in the West.
At the regular fall meeting of the
os, MoineS Society of the Sons and
of Maine, held in Des
homes at the home of Mr.. and Mrs.
(, j. Small, SO former Maine people
fele present. An interesting program
Va, given, consisting, in part, of vocal
elections by the Misses Sylvia CARR
on and Georgia Walker. A portion of
ht evening was given to appropriate
ppmorial observance of the death of
lr Charles H. Morris, ex president of
bp society, and addresses were given
" Mr.. F. W. Craig and Miss Grace
Bal antyne. Mr.. Morris was native
i limerick in York county and went
o iowa about rs years ago. He was an
,xtensive coal mine operator and was
hot down in cold blood by a man
those arrest he had caused for the H.
ega sale of liquor. The officers of the
Ssociation were reelected for the CON-
1g wear, and are as follows: Mr.. A. J.
nan, president; DR.. Ella NJ. Still, first
-le president; Mrs. F. W. Chase,
rtoGd vice president; Mrs. F. w.
'alg, secretary and treasurer; Mr.. J.
Gardiner and Mrs. w. H. Antes,
zr Jtlve committee. The home was
slated with autumn foliage, and
gt Sprigs of pine from the State of
4 le, and dainty refreshments were
rE.u at the close of the evening. A
-a re of the evening was the reading
. thanksgiving poem, sent by Hol-
ul I. Day of this State, who is per
.. Trend of Mr.. Small In sending
Dr. rises Mr.. Day wrote: "Will the
.- and Daughters of Maine, whom
lr- Noines has gathered to itself, &C
y MS word from Old Home State as
l...u it were brotherly greeting
lu n above clasped hands in token of |
IS that are never broken between |
born? | send the lines with my |
regard and earnest wishes for "a |
meeting" The poem follows;
The council fires sputtered, where
he warrierS' beaconS flared,
Hur fathers fought the forests till
.hrouded hills were barred;
he painted tribes were scattered,
While the barking of the ak
he crash of woodland giants followed |
,ast their fleeing backs.
4 We raked their dying emberS and
ave fed their flames anew,
Re old home hearth is blazing in
he east, my dears, for you!
east the lights are dancing, out
cross NOvember's snow,
east from our arms are reaching
ION the homes that love you So
-aSt from which you've wandered,
iJlven on by that unrest
la AS led the route of races ever down
'o seek the west
EAST, then 0, our children, to your
.ncient temple door,
' The sacred spark of Freedom first
truck fire on this shore,
e home our weSt'ring children!
lis Thank Sgiving Feast once more.
is welcome at the door way, there is
ounty at the board;
"a bins are high with plenty and the |
Liar vaunts its hoard.
' right, The God of Harvests opens |
vide and lavish hands
some more genial heavens smiling |
IA more fertile lands
m OFF our rocky acres we have reap
I'd beside the grain
and thought, and faith and fervor
arrest heart and steady brain.
lie frosts that blight our cornfelds
and the drought of bitter days
not spoiled the richer harvests of the
NUrld-sought men we raise.
10 east that planted first-fruits and
land has reaped since then
he fields of truth and culture and our
mighty crop of men
V back, O, wandering children, tits
thanksgiving Feast again.
"a the snow will heap our roof-trees,
4oderneath its chill you know
ne warmth can shame the winter,
Mere the ruddy hearth-lights glow.
Of home will shine the brighter
hen the world without is drear
are sweeter, love completer, when
he sober days are here.
sonder in the moonlight humble
bounds of earth are drest
mantle Mother Nature spreads above
r.r patriots rest.
rse not the Nations altars--dust to
iISt, but souls unpent,
ny to us down the ages, mound and
marble eloquent?
q loyal father founders, may thy
children come again
new their ancient SaneneSS, from the
lusts OF later men.
nr soil, then, o We Grant, with your
Olden Faith as priest,
to that God whispered justice of the
Fathers Of the East!
YOU gifts of fame and manhood to
,he old homes awaiting here,
our gifts of loving welcome, proud
acclaim and golden cheer,
ye back, O child of East-and, tits
Thanksgiving Feast, my dear.