Spirit of the Times Batavia, Genesee Co., NY July 1 1851 THE GLORIOUS FOURTH Again let every heart be gay-- Again we hail the Nation's day! The day, when so to the darkened Earth Was published Freedom's glorious birth; The day when with unqailing[sic] hand And fearless hearts, that Patriot band Inscribed their dear and deathless name Upon the scroll of mighty fame. They reared, on that eventful day, A fame that never shall decay. Though kings and kingdoms lose their power, Its dome shall brighten every hour-- A temple of the truly free, Whose fame has gone o'er every sea, And as a friendly pharos stands To God's wronged poor in every land. Oh, Glorious Union of the West! Thy onward course can never rest; And well may foreign despots start To list the pulses of thy heart. They see in better rule of thine Ill omen for their "rights divine," And fear the tempest of the day When stolen power shall pass away. And he who feels within his heart To read the links of love apart That bind this sisterhood of states-- Unmindful of the toils, the fate, Of those for him who freely gave Their lives upon the land and wave, Such ingrate foe to liberty, Unhonored in his day shall be. And when oblivion dark has spread Her pall of silence o'er his head, The names of those who ever sought Their country's glory, and who taught, The child to love his land of birth, As worthiest of the lands of earth-- Embalmed in million hearts shall be As long as man on earth is free. And when on each revolving year Returns the day to freedom dear, >From Northern lake to Southern plain, Posterity shall meet again Beneath the ensign of the free, And sing the hymns of liberty-- Of blessings by the patriot won, And pledged to every worthy son. And while the blithesome song they raise, The freeman's heart will render praise To Him who cheered the patriot on, Who ruled the heart of Washington; Who fertile makes the plains and hills, The land with bliss and plenty fills; Remembering that the realms that rest Their trust in God shall flourish best. T.S. LOOMIS East Bethany, July, 1851. + + submitted by Linda C. Schmidt