Centuries ago, that day, A saddening act was done, That rocked the earth in horror And dimmed the radiant sun. The Anointed One was crucified, Mid agony and shame. “Father, forgive them!” still he prayed, Whilst _they_ reviled his name. Towards the mount of Calvary The heavy cross was borne By one of Afric’s sons, a race Now abject and forlorn. The cruel yoke was on their life, Its curse upon their head, Till another raised its ponderous weight: For it his blood was shed. Upon Good Friday’s holy eve The stalwart Roman band Removed the cross, lest its dread form Pollute the Jewish land. Upon Good Friday’s holy eve Columbia’s noblest son Laid down the weighty cross he bore: The martyr crown was won. When in the capital to him A monument shall rise, The record of a nation’s love, The tribute of her sighs, We’ll vow that traitorous deeds no more Shall desecrate our fame; No more the blot of slavery Shall stain Columbia’s name. PHILADELPHIA, April 19, 1865. FOOTNOTES: [1] In 1516 a regular line of posts was established in the Tyrol, connecting Germany and Italy, by Roger, Count of Thurn and Taxis. His successors received from the Emperor of Germany repeated _enfeoffments_ of the imperial post, and extended it over the greatest part of Germany and Italy. Venice, Genoa, Leghorn, and Naples were thus connected with Hamburg, Bremen, Lubeck, and Frankfort-on-the-Main; and the active commerce which had sprung up between these cities became facilitated by such postal advantages as the system afforded. The Counts of Thurn and Taxis retained their postal monopoly till the fall of the German Empire. [2] Ambassadors and heralds—those sacred ministers of the kings of Greece in that primitive age of civilization and the cultivation of the arts—were the “posts” by which demands were made by one power from another, and redresses and grievances settled. These heralds were equally respected by friends and foes. They travelled in safety through the midst of embattled hosts, proclaimed to the silent warriors the commissions with which they were intrusted, or demanded, in return, truce, or time to consult and settle disputes, &c. [3] “And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters _by posts_ on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries.”—_Esther_ viii. 10. “There is no doubt every available means of conveyance were adopted to carry these important letters throughout the kingdom, as the greatest speed was needful in the emergency. He sent men on horseback, and upon other creatures as swift as horses, and upon mules, both young and old, according as the places were nearer or farther off. So he ordered the letters to be sent by post.”—_Bp. Patrick._