^°^^. .^' §iS:/%^ y . ' " ^^1 ^'' .>> ^^f: f; ■^bv^' .^" ^-. ''"•o/ .•^•. V„.' .•>'*■<.-- -^.,/ .♦r--:-. %.„.' .-;- '*0 J* .>•"•-, '1^ f5-\ '-^^^^ ,v^ <. -o . » ' .0^ \p *o.T* ys- <^ 'o . . * ,0*. ■r'^. .L-^ V-* ■5' O * r-j AT> .^^" •'C^ ■■U \..^' ^>'% ^^' ^^^ o .0^ ,^'''%. ► r^ 51 . ^ .* ■ ■■ -■ "/;" "■.r 9'' ' .-/■ 4^' -^i. - - -. •^' <■• ■ -^. •i> . '""» •J y'. o > •-^ , ^ • • « A^ .0' " = . v^^ ■ G' a> -.s^ .'^^ ., - , .0.' .0^ 'i' .l^V/V-O^ -jv_^. -X^^ ■■t^ '^o >>'' •^^;- ■'-0' C ^1 ■>- o. ^ -^^^ %_ / ■^ .> ■O,-, o ..<^ LIBERTY'S ADDRESS to the NATION BY LUCIUS AXTELL Liberty's Address to the Nation By Lucius Axtell KNIGHT & PALMER BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK THE QUALITY PRESS (I ! -! .. L- + x^ Ci;CI.Af)ltiB9-^ ^\ Copyright by Lucius Axtell 1919 MAY 20 I9iy LIBERTY'S ADDRESS TO THE NATION Ho ! ye who at the anvil toil. Hark ye holders of the plow. Ye millions toiling day by day With the sweat-drops on your brow. You who guide the ship of state On its rough and stormy way, Drop the anchors, furl the sails. List to what I have to say. My name ? my name is Liberty ; I came from far across the sea To stand forever on your shore And tell you you are free, are free. Once I was but a little babe. Nursed in a "cradle" grim and old. My friends thought me of priceless worth And would not part with me for gold. LIBERTY'S ADDRESS They fought and bled that I might live. They died that I might reign Triumphant over this great land, Their work was not in vain. While marching on with naked feet They left their footprints stained with blood And turning homeward from the fight They left behind a crimson flood. They left their bravest on the field, Without a stone to mark the spot. Alone to suffer and to die And saddest of all to be forgot. My father's name was Washington He led this glorious band Who fought for "liberty or death," And conquered by his hand. He did not stand, as cowards do. Saying, "Soldiers you go ahead And I will follow on behind To take care of the dead." TO THE NATION But "Forward boys! Come follow me And I will lead the way." He fought for freedom and the right, And ne'er forgot to pray. And when 'twas said give him the crown And place the scepter in his hand, Before him every knee shall bend And make him ruler of the land; He paused, and, with a look of scorn. It shall not be he said. Then took the crown so nobly won And placed it on my head. To-day I stand on Bedloe's Isle With that same crown upon my head. No scepter in my hand I hold. But a glorious torch instead. That the world may see my mighty power And that all beneath the sun May see the great and noble deeds Which Liberty alone has done. LIBERTY'S ADDRESS You are to-day a nation great And free from the tyrants chain. You live in a land of pure delight, Where peace and friendship reign. You have the chosen of your race To make and execute your laws. You worship God in your own way And advocate his righteous cause. A land so free cannot be found You may search where'er you please, Where all mankind may have a home And enjoy such rights as these. Yet, as I stand from day to day On this lone isle by the sea ; Above the roar of the surging tide I hear a cry of agony. Whence comes this dreadful murmuring sound Where can this misery be? Is there yet one on this broad land Who has not been set free. TO THE NATION Ah ! 'tis a wail from the prison cells "Give me back my liberty. I long to be in my native land, My home and friends to see." I'm weary of this lonely cell, But my cries are of no avail. Why did I bind myself a slave To that old fiery sei-pents trail. I feel his poison stinger now — It pierces my very soul. O, give me back my liberty And heaven curse the bowl. When shall the prison doors be loosed And the bright morning come; When the sun shall rise and shed its rays On a nation free from rum. When parents shall no longer weep O'er the ruin of their boy, And homes that are now so desolate Shall become a pride and joy. lo LIBERTY'S ADDRESS The day is not far distant If to the pledge you're true, When the chieftain of this nation Shall wear the badge of blue. And pure cold water shall be the draught That quenches every thirst, And the poison that causes such pain and woe Shall forever be accursed. Would that the bell which proclaimed my birth Could ring the joyful news to-day. But time and faithfulness must win — Where there's a will there is a way. And now sail on. Oh, ship of state. March on ye soldiers of the right. The God of Battles ever trust, He will lead you in the fight. Onward let your watchword be, But, before you do advance. Give one good cheer for Liberty And three for right and temperance. ^ *■">, ,$> -<• Wc .0 .0^ V ' ^ -<- V* s • " > -^ .3 -^n .^ .r. ^-^ A^ ■ ^^ 4" '4 „"?- ^o. s. ^^^. .«-■ V '^^ ^^ \ ." 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