Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-06-29
lMnEpENnENcE aELL.

INDEPENDENCE BELL.
(When it was certain that the dec.
faration Of independence would be an.
nounced by congress, it was resolved
to announce the ever by ringing the
old statehouse bell, which bore the in.
scription: "Proclatp liberty to the
land, to al the ir 1abftants thereof!,
The old bellman. accordingly. placed
his little son at the door Of the hall
to await the instruction of the door
keeper when to ring; and, when the
word vas given, the little patrot-scjor
rushed out and, flingins up his hands
shouted aloud, Ring, Ring! Ring!")
There was tumult i'm tho city,
In the quaint old Quaker's town,
And the streets were rife with people
Pacing restless up and DOWN.
People gathering at corners,
Where they whispered each to each
And the sweat stood on their temples
With the earnestness OF speech.
AS the bleak Atlantic currents
Lash the wild Newfoundland shore
So they beat against the s~tatehouse.
So they surged against h door;
And the mingltng of their voices
Made n harmony profound,
Till the quiet street of Chestnut
Was all turbulent with sound.
WIN they do it?" Dare they do it?'
WHO is %speakingY" Whats the
news?"
what of Adams ." What OF Sher-
MANI
oh, God grant they won't refuse?'
Make some way there" Let me
nearer"
Il am stiflms,," "Stifle. them,
When a nations life's n hazard,
We've no time TO think OF men!"
So they beat against the portal.
Man and woman, maid md child:
n the July sun in heaven
On the scent looked down and
smiled:
The ann sur that saw the Spartan
Shed his patriot blood in vain,
NOW beheld the soul OF freedom
All unconquer'd rise again.
See! See! The dense crowd quivers
Through all it lengthy line,
AS the boy beside the portal
Looks forth to givealhe sign!
With his small hands upward lifted,
BreeZes da1lying with his hair,
Harlk! with deep, clear intonatfon,
Breaks his young voice IN the air.
Hush'd the peoples swelling murmur,
List the boys strong, joyous cry!
AtiAe' AS SIAOuIS, 1NlllS. 1tdtlupdy
Ring! Oh, ring for liberty!'
And straightway, at the signal,
The old bellman lifts his hand,
And sends the good news, making
Iron music through the land.
How they shouted! What rejoicing,
How the old bell shook the air,
Till the clang OF freedom ruffled
The calm, gliding Delaware.
How the bontires and the torches
Illumed the nights repose,
And from the flames, like Phoenix,
Fair Liberty arose!
That old bell now is silent,
And hush'd its iron tongue,
But the spirit it awakened
Still lives,-forever young.
And While we greet the sunlight,
On the fourth of each July,
Well ne'er forget the bellman,
Who, twixt the earth and sky.
Rung Il our independence:
Which, please God, SHALL never die,
STAND BY THE FLAG.
Stand by the flag! on land and ocean
billow;
By it your fathers stood, unmoved
and true:
Living, defended; lying, from their
pillow,
With their last blessing, passed it on
to you.
The lines that divide us are written in
water,
The love that unites us is cut deep as
rock.
Thus by friendships ties united.
We will change the bloody cast
Into golden links Of union,
Blending all in love at last.
Thus beneath the one broad banner.
Flag of the true, the brave the free,
We will build anew the Union,
Fortress Of our Liberty.