God means to make this land, John, Clear thru, from sea to sea, Believe an' understand, John, The _wuth_ o' bein' free. Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess, God's price is high," sez he: "But nothin' else than wut He sells Wears long, an' thet J. B. May larn, like you an' me!" NO SLAVE BENEATH THE FLAG George Lansing Taylor No slave beneath that starry flag, The emblem of the free! No fettered hand shall wield the brand That smites for liberty: No tramp of servile armies Shall shame Columbia's shore, For he who fights for freedom's rights Is free for evermore! * * * * * Go tell the brave of every land, Where'er that flag has flown-- The tyrant's fear, the patriot's cheer, Through every clime and zone-- That now no more forever Its stripes are slavery scars; No tear-drops stain its azure plain Nor dim its golden stars. No slave beneath that grand old flag! Forever let it fly, With lightning rolled in every fold, And flashing victory! God's blessing breathe around it! And when all strife is done, May freedom's light, that knows no night, Make every star a sun! TRIBUTES TO LINCOLN Grave Lincoln came, strong-handed, from afar-- The mighty Homer of the lyre of war! 'T was he who bade the raging tempest cease, Wrenched from his strings the harmony of peace, Muted the strings that made the discord--Wrong, And gave his spirit up in thund'rous song, Oh, mighty Master of the mighty lyre! Earth heard and trembled at thy strains of fire: Earth learned of thee what Heav'n already knew, And wrote thee down among the treasured few! --_Paul Laurence Dunbar, 1899_ From humble parentage and poverty, old Nature reared him, And the world beheld her ablest, noblest man; Few were his joys, many and terrible his trials, But grandly he met them as only truly great souls can! Our Nation's Martyr, pure, honest, patient, tender-- Thou who didst suffer agony e'en for the slave-- Our flag's defender, our brave, immortal teacher! I lay this humble tribute on thy honored grave. --_Paul DeVere, 1899_ We rest in peace where these sad eyes Saw peril, strife, and pain; His was the nation's sacrifice, And ours the priceless gain. --_John G. Whittier_ His patriotism, his integrity, his purity, his moderation will contribute largely to make the American people patriotic, honest, and upright.... His life, his teaching, and his character will prolong the life of the Republic. --_Isaac N. Arnold_