There was manhood's brow, serenely high, What sought they thus, afar? The wealth of seas, the spoils of war? Ay, call it holy ground, The soil where first they trod! They have left unstained what there they found- THE BELL OF LIBERTY. When the Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress, the event was announced by ringing the old State-House bell, which bore the inscription, “Proclaim liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof!" The old bellman stationed his little grandson at the door of the hall, to await the instructions of the doorkeeper when to ring. At the word, the young patriot rushed out, and, clapping his hands, shouted:-"Ring! RING! RING!" HERE was a tumult, in the city, THER * In the quaint, old, Quakers' town, S Where they whispered, each to each, As the bleak Atlantic currents Lash the wild Newfoundland shore, * Philadelphia. "Will they do it?" "Dare they do it?" "Who is speaking?" "What's the news? "What of Adams?" "What of Sherman?" "Oh, God grant they won't refuse!" $ "Make some way there!" "Let me nearer !" "I am stifling!" "Stifle, then! When a nation's life's at hazard, We've no time to think of men!" So they beat against the portal, On the scene looked down and smiled Shed his patriot blood, in vain, Now beheld the soul of freedom, All unconquered, rise again. See! See! The dense crowd quivers Hushed the people's swelling murmur, The old bellman lifts his hand, How they shouted! What rejoicing! How the bonfires and the torches Lighted up the night's repose, And, from the flames, like fabled Phoenix, That old State-House bell is silent, But the spirit it awaken'd Still is living ever young; And when we greet the smiling sunlight We will ne'er forget the bellman THE UNION. "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!"-WEBSTER. HE Union! The Union! The hope of the free! THE Howsoe'er we may differ, in this we agree: Our glorious banner no traitor shall mar By effacing a stripe, or destroying a star! Division! No, never! The Union forever! And cursed be the hand that our country would sever! The Union! The Union! 'Twas purchased with blood! Side by side, to secure it, our forefathers stood: From the North to the South, through the length of the land, Ran the war-cry which summon'd that patriot band! Division! No, never! The Union forever! And cursed be the hand that our country would sever! The Union! The Union! At Lexington first, And cursed be the hand that our country would sever! The Union! The Union! Its heavenly light Cheers the hearts of the nations who grope in the night— A path to the country where Freedom abides! And cursed be the hand that our country would sever! The Union! The Union! In God we repose! T LINCOLN AT SPRINGFIELD. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." HERE stood a man in the West Countrie, His form was not cast in a courtier's mould, Who had learn'd to obey ere call'd to command: "My friends-elected by your choice, From the long-cherish'd home I go, Not since the days when Washington Have clouds so dark above us met, "And he had never saved the land For if the Lord no wardship take, The watchmen mount the towers in vain." He ceased; and many a manly breast And then, heart-spoken, from the crowd, Came one brief sentence: "We will pray!" BILL AND JOE. OME, dear old comrade, you and I COM Will steal an hour from days gone by The shining days when life was new, The lusty days of long ago, When you were Bill and I was Joe. Your name may flaunt a titled trail, |