The constitution our fathers made,
Long may it protect us.
The fine example our fathers set,
Long may we follow it.
The pure principles our fathers loved,
Long may we cherish them.
The perfect laws that our fathers made,
Long may we obey them.
Sacredly they pledged their lives and their honor,
All for their country’s sake, freedom not power;
Freely their blood was spilled, battling for justice,
All for their country’s sake, they were not selfish;
Boldly the trial made, God crowned their efforts,
Thanks to His providence their country was saved.
Grandly their thoughts were framed glowing with wisdom,
Wise were the laws they made, all the world blessed them;
Gray hairs honored them, old age and glory,
Then was their noble work left for their children.
Shall we their descendants forget the pure motives,
That guided our fathers in times of distress?
Shall we prove unworthy the boon they left us,
Or bravely defend the cause of liberty?
Large is the sacrifice, greatly ’tis needed,
Freely we grant it, for in God is our trust;
Our lives and fortunes like our fathers before,
Are pledged to the cause of justice and freedom,
Bravely we’ll defend it, let no traitor destroy,
The land of our fathers, the home of the free,
With strong arms and stout hearts we’ll continue to fight,
In perfect faith that God will favor the right.
PART II.
POEMS OF SENTIMENT
THE MILK OF HUMAN KINDNESS.
What is it lures the tender heart,
From paths of joy and pleasures sweet,
To rush into the crowded mart,
And lift the fallen to their feet?
What is it prompts the loving soul,
To go among the poor and sick,
Where sorrow and the empty bowl,
Stir one’s compassion to the quick?
Why should one go where hunger reigns,
And meet the dreaded starving face,
Where life is full of aches and pains,
And sickness finds a brooding place?
Why go where dread disease prevails,
And screams and groans afflict the heart,
Where death the struggling life assails,
And feel the pang of sorrow’s dart?