Wherever a rebel flag floated Was a target for his shot. All burning and sinking around him The victor, seem'd doom'd with the vanquish'd, And he took up the bloody conflict, But while powder would burn in a cannon, I think our old captains in heaven, Paul Jones, the knight-errant of ocean, Hull, Lawrence, and Bainbridge, and Biddle, If Porter beheld his descendant And thou, living veteran, "Old Ironsides,” Thou link 'twixt the old and new glory, I know what feelings were thine. When the sun look'd over the tree-tops, And over the river came floating The sound of the morning gun, And the Stars and Stripes danced up the halliards, And glitter'd against the sun. Oh! then what a shout from the squadrons, But three ships were missing; the others Below us the forts of the rebels Again in long lines we went steaming In vain the town clamor'd and struggled, Were resting the will and the power. Coming Events cast their Shadows before. (EXTRACT FROM MR. MURDOCH'S LECTURES.) THE truly national lyric of "The Union," written by Francis De Haes Janvier, was first read by me in Cincinnati at the anniversary celebration of a well-known literary institution in that city. This was before the insurgents had struck the blow which left no doubt, if any had before existed in the minds of the people, of the hellish intentions of our "wayward sisters." I suggested the reading of this poem on the occasion, and referred it to the committee. Some of the members objected, not on the ground of impropriety of sentiment, but of inopportunity. of occasion. The institution, it was argued, was not of a political but of a literary character, and therefore it was not expedient for it to put forth such strong sentiments at a time in which every thing should be left to the influence of conciliation and compromise. On the other hand, it was decided that the sentiment was noble and just; and as the question before the American people was not one of politics, but of right and wrong, there was no good reason to object to the assertion of right at any time and anywhere. The poem was read to at least two thousand people; and I can safely say that never before or since were my ears greeted with more hearty and rapturous applause than that which burst forth from an audience composed of the citizens of as loyal a city as the loyal States contain. Mr. Janvier had the words set to music and printed on a neat enamelled card, and distributed gratuitously to the soldiers and friends of the Army of the Potomac in Washington, in the camps and the hospitals. Many and many a brave fellow, perchance, cheered the march to "Bull's Run," chanting the inspiring words of this song, and, it may be, died with its burden faintly but fervently breathed with his parting breath. All honor to such poets as Mr. Janvier, and to all who have, like him, devoted time and talents without stint to cheer and sustain the brave and devoted soldiers of the Republic, from the very hour in which the flag was first unfurled to the breeze in defiance to traitors, -the old flag of thirty-four stars, which, under the providence of God, shall yet wave in triumph over every State represented on its azure field, in spite of the desperate valor of the misguided men who must fall beneath the mighty power invoked by justice and legitimate authority to punish or to crush them. I will pause here to include the names of Mr. Janvier's friends and fellow-poets, Mr. Boker and Mr. Read, whose generous efforts in the same holy cause have won for them the meed of praise and honor due to patriotic acts and deeds. These gentlemen, I am proud to say, are all citizens of Philadelphia. In lauding the patriotic efforts of the above-named gentlemen, I do not wish to be understood as speaking as one having authority in literary matters, and more especially in the poetic form, but simply as desiring to impress upon the public mind the extent and value of the services rendered to the "good cause" by the many and glorious lines they have written and placed at my disposal, so nobly calculated to keep alive the public interest in the labors I am engaged in, and to swell the current of generous and loyal sympathy in favor of the brave men who have left their homes and firesides to fight the battles of the nation. The Union. A NATIONAL SONG. BY FRANCIS DE HAES JANVIER. "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!"-WEBSTER. THE Union! The Union! The hope of the free! And cursed be the hand that our country would sever! The Union! The Union! 'Twas purchased with blood! From the North to the South, through the length of the land, 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,— And, athwart the wide ocean, falls, gilding the tides, A path to the country where Freedom abides! Division! No, never! The Union forever! And cursed be the hand that our country would sever! |